Riley's POVI woke to an unfamiliar sensation, a tingling feeling that spread through every part of my body. The room, too, felt strange, too grand and opulent, a stark contrast to the simple, and portable room I was used to. My eyes drifted over the plush furnishings, the rich tapestries adorning the walls, the sunlight streaming through the large windows, the strange artworks of powerful wolves. All was beautiful, breathtaking even, but it totally felt… alien.I stared around briefly, then slowly, the memories of last night flooded back, causing my stomach to churn loudly. Norman. His touch, his scent, the way he’d looked at me, a mixture of tenderness and possessiveness that had both thrilled and frightened me. He’d taken me to a place I’d never been before, a place of pure sensation, where only he and I existed. He’d marked me, claimed me as his. It still felt surreal, it had all happened so fast.A blush crept up my cheek as I recalled the intimacy we’d shared, the way my body ha
Norman's POVI stepped into the garden, calling out to Riley as she turned to head back to the direction of myroom. She jerked up, startled, her eyes scanning the surroundings until they landed on me. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she realized it was only me calling to her."Hey, what's wrong?" I asked, my voice laced with amusement. "You look smitten."Riley's cheeks flushed as she shook her head, trying to clear the air. She hadn't even noticed me approaching her."Just lost in thought," she replied, her voice barely audible, just like I had known them to be.I chuckled, my eyes crinkling at the corners. "I know exactly what you're thinking about," I teased, my voice low and husky. "Our blissful night, perhaps?"Riley's face turned bright red as she laughed shyly, trying to hide her embarrassment. My words must have sent a flutter through her chest, reminding her of the intimacy we had shared.As we walked back into the suite, my phone rang, shrill and insistent. I pulled it
Riley's POVI watched as Norman's expression changed from carefree to cold and calculating. One moment, he was teasing me about our blissful night, and the next, he was barking orders into the phone. I couldn't understand what was going on, but I knew it couldn't be good.As Norman dismissed the call, I asked him what was wrong. But he just shook his head and told me not to worry about it. "I'll take care of it," he said, his voice firm but distant.But I couldn't help but worry. The court summoning him couldn't be a good thing. "What's going on?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "Why does the court want to see you?"Norman's expression softened slightly, and he took a step closer to me. "Don't worry about it, Riley. It's nothing you need to concern yourself with. I'll take care of it." I nodded, trying to hide my curiosity. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong. Norman's tone was reassuring, but his eyes told a different story. They were narrowed, his
Norman's POVI stood before the round table of the court, my eyes fixed on Mr. Crestwood and the other kingmakers. They were the ones who would decide my fate, determine whether I would be allowed to pursue the throne. And now, they were telling me that my marriage to Riley was a problem."Norman, you have committed a great atrocity by marrying a girl under the crescent moon," one of the kingmakers said, his voice stern. "You must send her back to Hornside and marry another, hence that will void your first marriage."I felt my heart kick in anger at their words. How could they ask me to abandon Riley, the woman I had come to care for? I thought about her innocent smile, her laughter, and her determination—everything that endeared me to her. I couldn't possibly come to terms with leaving her, not because these men here want it that way."I understand that I may have broken the Moonclak law," I begin, trying to keep my tone calm. "But surely there's a way to rectify this situation witho
Riley's POVI walked out of Norman's suite, my mind preoccupied with the court's decision. I needed to change clothes and get some other things done, but my thoughts were stuck on Norman and the possibility of him sending me back to Hornside. Even when he had promised he'd never do something like that, I couldn't help but think of the possibility of that happening. I let the thoughts off my head as I walked down the hallway, I thought about my wolf awakening and wondered if there's a slight chance of using my ability as a listener to help Norman. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to make things right.But before I could get lost in my thoughts further, I stumbled upon a wall that pushed me back slightly. I looked up to see Meredith's cold face glaring at me, her eyes flashing with anger. I felt a surge of annoyance, but I didn't let it get the better of me."I can see you suddenly became blind," Meredith sneered, her voice dripping with hatred as she marched closer to me. "Tell m
Riley’s POVMy hand trembled slightly as I pushed open the door to my room, my mind still replaying the unsettling conversation with Meredith. I’d expected the quiet solitude of my own space, a place to gather my thoughts and steel myself for whatever lay ahead. Instead, I found Damon. He stood by the door, his back to me, his posture—somewhat rigid, his very presence brought a feeling of unease inside of me. Surprise morphed into confusion, then a prickle of fear. I didn't know why, but my heart seem to beat faster seeing him standing here. What was he doing here? I swallowed a spittle then opened my mouth, "Damon?" I called, my voice hesitant. "What… what are you doing here?"He turned, his gaze meeting mine, and the breath caught in my throat. His eyes, usually warm and teasing, were now cold and sharp, like shards of ice. He didn’t answer, instead, he just continued to stare at me, his silence more unnerving than any angry outburst. He took a step towards me, and another, and the
Norman’s POVBy the time I get back to my suite, I couldn't find Riley anywhere around. I understand immediately she must have gone back to her room. I still needed to see her so I stepped out of my room, my mind reeling with the discussion I had with the court. I closed the door gently behind me, and immediately set out to go to Riley's part of the huge pack house.I hadn't taken two steps when Damon suddenly appeared before me, his presence as sudden and unexpected as a storm cloud on a clear day. His face was like a thundercloud, his eyes blazing with a cold fury that would have affected any other person, but not me. "You," he growled, pointing at me. I didn't fail to notice the accusation that rang deep in his voice. "Why would you do this? Why would you marry my mate?"His words struck me as both absurd and amusing. His mate? What the hell was he talking about? Riley was no one's possession, a fact I was about to make abundantly clear. A chuckle escaped my lips, a sound that see
Riley’s POVA soft knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. I’d been sketching, trying to capture the way the afternoon light slanted through the windows, painting the room in shades of gold and amber. I opened the door to find Norman standing there, his jaw tight, his fists clenched at his sides. Even without him saying a word, I knew something was wrong. The air around him crackled with tension.“Norman? What is it?” I asked, my voice laced with concern.He forced a smile, a pale contrast of his usual impassive expression. “Nothing. Just came back from the court. I didn't see you in my chamber so I thought you'd be here.”I raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. He paced the room restlessly, his silence more telling than any words could have been. My heart sank. His visit to the court hadn’t gone well. I knew it. I had known he wouldn't have it easy, that he'd face resistance — resistance he’d face from those who clung to tradition, to the old ways. He’d brushed off my concerns, confid
Norman's POVAs I stepped out of the palace hall, the weight of my conversation with my father still lingered in my chest. His words weren’t harsh, but they held something heavier than scolding—expectation. He didn’t care about Riley’s past, her bloodline, or the court’s noise. All he wanted to know was if I truly wanted her… and if I was ready to face everything that would come with choosing her.I had answered him without hesitation. Yes. Every single time, it was a yes. And to think he had only laughed when I told him about Damon and Kirk also having eyes for Riley totally irks me. I knew he must have heard about the issue but I still deemed it reasonable telling him, but he only laughed it off. But knowing him, he'd still think about the whole issue sometimes later—when alone. He wasn't foolish, far from it. He was the wisest person I've ever known, that was the way he had kept the kingdom together.I walked down the palace steps with a quiet hope that Riley was still by the garde
Riley's POVThe palace was even grander than I had thought it to be. Towering walls, shining marble floors, and the heavy scent of roses from the garden made my stomach twist. I was used to quiet corners and wooden floors, not gold trimmings and guards in static motion. As the car passed through the front gates, I felt the nervous flutter I always tried to hide.I sat beside Norman in the car, pretending to be calm. He looked so sure of himself, like always—shoulders straight, eyes steady, lips set in that quiet line he wore when he was deep in thought. I admired him so much, maybe too much. He belonged here. This world was his. But me? Sometimes I wasn’t so sure."You’re quiet," he said, turning to look at me."I’m just thinking." I gave him a small smile, hoping it would pass as enough.He reached for my hand, holding it gently. "You don’t have to come in if you don’t want to. I can handle my father."I shook my head quickly. "No, I want to come. I just... maybe I’ll stay in the gar
Norman's POVThe ride back to the mansion felt like an eternity. My hand, still clenched from the confrontation, throbbed dully. I could still hear the venom in Elder Thomas’s voice, the way he spat out the word “slave” like a curse. Slave. The very thought made my stomach churn. Riley, my own wife, the woman I've come to love, subjected to such blatant disrespect. A wave of fury, cold and sharp, washed over me.I snuck a glance at her. She sat beside me, her gaze fixed on the passing buildings, pale and bearing no expression. She seemed composed, but I knew her well enough to see the tight set of her jaw, the slight tremor in her hands. I wanted to reach for her, to pull her close, to offer some comfort, but I hesitated. My outburst at the court… had it been the right thing to do? I’d defended her, yes, but had I made things worse? Had I painted a target on her back?The guilt gnawed at me. I should have been there. I should have anticipated their hostility, their prejudice. I shou
Riley’s POVI had just gotten summoned by the court. The summons had arrived just after breakfast, a crisp white envelope bearing the court’s official seal. My stomach had churned as I read the formal, almost chillingly polite, request for my presence. I knew this was coming. Norman had taken the step to let our marriage go public, just before he went for a quick journey with Chadwick. I could also understand one thing, Norman’s sudden announcement of our marriage had sent ripples of shock through the kingdom, and I knew the court wouldn’t take it lying down.Now, I was on my way to the court as it was close to the time stipulated in the letter. Norman wasn't around to escort me. He had left for an important meeting yesterday noon and wouldn't be coming back until later today. Although I wasn't bothered about his absence, I would face the men of the court and try to be knowledgeable in my dealings with them. After walking a while, I entered the grand hall, my heart hammering against
Riley’s POVA soft knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. I’d been sketching, trying to capture the way the afternoon light slanted through the windows, painting the room in shades of gold and amber. I opened the door to find Norman standing there, his jaw tight, his fists clenched at his sides. Even without him saying a word, I knew something was wrong. The air around him crackled with tension.“Norman? What is it?” I asked, my voice laced with concern.He forced a smile, a pale contrast of his usual impassive expression. “Nothing. Just came back from the court. I didn't see you in my chamber so I thought you'd be here.”I raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. He paced the room restlessly, his silence more telling than any words could have been. My heart sank. His visit to the court hadn’t gone well. I knew it. I had known he wouldn't have it easy, that he'd face resistance — resistance he’d face from those who clung to tradition, to the old ways. He’d brushed off my concerns, confid
Norman’s POVBy the time I get back to my suite, I couldn't find Riley anywhere around. I understand immediately she must have gone back to her room. I still needed to see her so I stepped out of my room, my mind reeling with the discussion I had with the court. I closed the door gently behind me, and immediately set out to go to Riley's part of the huge pack house.I hadn't taken two steps when Damon suddenly appeared before me, his presence as sudden and unexpected as a storm cloud on a clear day. His face was like a thundercloud, his eyes blazing with a cold fury that would have affected any other person, but not me. "You," he growled, pointing at me. I didn't fail to notice the accusation that rang deep in his voice. "Why would you do this? Why would you marry my mate?"His words struck me as both absurd and amusing. His mate? What the hell was he talking about? Riley was no one's possession, a fact I was about to make abundantly clear. A chuckle escaped my lips, a sound that see
Riley’s POVMy hand trembled slightly as I pushed open the door to my room, my mind still replaying the unsettling conversation with Meredith. I’d expected the quiet solitude of my own space, a place to gather my thoughts and steel myself for whatever lay ahead. Instead, I found Damon. He stood by the door, his back to me, his posture—somewhat rigid, his very presence brought a feeling of unease inside of me. Surprise morphed into confusion, then a prickle of fear. I didn't know why, but my heart seem to beat faster seeing him standing here. What was he doing here? I swallowed a spittle then opened my mouth, "Damon?" I called, my voice hesitant. "What… what are you doing here?"He turned, his gaze meeting mine, and the breath caught in my throat. His eyes, usually warm and teasing, were now cold and sharp, like shards of ice. He didn’t answer, instead, he just continued to stare at me, his silence more unnerving than any angry outburst. He took a step towards me, and another, and the
Riley's POVI walked out of Norman's suite, my mind preoccupied with the court's decision. I needed to change clothes and get some other things done, but my thoughts were stuck on Norman and the possibility of him sending me back to Hornside. Even when he had promised he'd never do something like that, I couldn't help but think of the possibility of that happening. I let the thoughts off my head as I walked down the hallway, I thought about my wolf awakening and wondered if there's a slight chance of using my ability as a listener to help Norman. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to make things right.But before I could get lost in my thoughts further, I stumbled upon a wall that pushed me back slightly. I looked up to see Meredith's cold face glaring at me, her eyes flashing with anger. I felt a surge of annoyance, but I didn't let it get the better of me."I can see you suddenly became blind," Meredith sneered, her voice dripping with hatred as she marched closer to me. "Tell m
Norman's POVI stood before the round table of the court, my eyes fixed on Mr. Crestwood and the other kingmakers. They were the ones who would decide my fate, determine whether I would be allowed to pursue the throne. And now, they were telling me that my marriage to Riley was a problem."Norman, you have committed a great atrocity by marrying a girl under the crescent moon," one of the kingmakers said, his voice stern. "You must send her back to Hornside and marry another, hence that will void your first marriage."I felt my heart kick in anger at their words. How could they ask me to abandon Riley, the woman I had come to care for? I thought about her innocent smile, her laughter, and her determination—everything that endeared me to her. I couldn't possibly come to terms with leaving her, not because these men here want it that way."I understand that I may have broken the Moonclak law," I begin, trying to keep my tone calm. "But surely there's a way to rectify this situation witho