Alexanderโs POV:โWhat โฆโ I trailed off when I saw her face.โI am asking, who was your fated mate, Alexander?โ the words that came out of her mouth were unexpected for me.She didnโt look like her usual self. The panic and this fear โฆ. A feeling I never knew I would ever experience started making its way into my heart. I didnโt know a thing about this emotion. My mom raised me to be a fearless warrior. But she never mentally prepared me to avoid this emotionโฆ this fear that my beloved โฆ my Rayna might leave me.***Raynaโs POV:The silence from his side was giving me heart palpitations. Why was he taking this long to answer me? Please, Alexander! Say something.Donโt stay quiet.At least lie to me.โRaynaโฆ Iโฆ this whole โฆ I meanโฆโ I had never seen him this uncertain. Was Lola winning again?Her sister got mated to my fated mates, and now she did the same to my second chance chosen mate. Just when I admitted my love to him, she told meโฆ they used to be fated mates.โI โฆ I wโฆwanted to
Raynaโs POV:โNot exactly a planโฆ it was never done intentionally. I liked you and I started enjoying her facial expressions whenever I used to give you extra care or show you affection.โI nodded and started heading towards the door.โRaynaโฆโI reached the door and twisted the handle, โRight now I canโt stay with you in this room Alexander. I need to get away from you. I need some timeโฆ Please.โI wanted to be alone so that I didnโt have to show him my tears. However, his hand covered mine and he didnโt let me open the door, โIf thatโs the case, Iโll leave the room, Rayna. You stay here.โI tried to push him away, โNo need. This is your room. You should stay.โBut he didnโt even budge from his position, โTake your time, Rayna. Donโt worry about me. Nobody from the palace will know about it. Iโll use the guest quarters.โI was still rooted to the spot when he picked up his phone and scurried, โWould you mind telling me what difference it makes?โ he asked me before stepping out, standi
Raynaโs POV:People say, goodbyes are sad, but I never believed them. A few months back, I left my pack very happily.Because over there nobody loved me, nobody made me feel that I was important to them. But today while leaving the Royal palace, I couldnโt say the same thing.The nights we spent on this bed, the laughter we shared over meals, and the long, meaningful conversations we had. All those moments, I spent with Alexander came rushing back to me.I was leaving but could feel this heaviness on my chest. Alexander spoiled me, he made me realize that I could be important to someone.I was precious to him. If onlyโฆ he could be honest with me. Was it too much to ask? I didnโt bother to meet anyone from the royal family before leaving. Not even Nora.They all were already dealing with their own set of problems and believe me. They wouldnโt even miss me. Ha-ha.The person who would miss me the most didnโt show his face ever since he allowed me to leave the palace.I had nothing to pac
Raynaโs POV:โPlease stay!โ I almost pleaded with Megan but then saw the same request in her eyes. She might be my friend, but she couldnโt risk her job by not following Lolaโs unsaid order.I nodded in understanding and gave her a tightlipped smile, โGoโฆโโSoโฆ you are leavingโฆ at lastโฆโ Lola sighed as if she was too sad for me. I knew her better.โYeah. Iโm,โ Just to keep myself busy I started placing the things, I wasnโt planning to carry, in my suitcase. โMy my โฆ Look at thisโฆโ she picked up my necklace from the mattress, Alexander once slipped around my neck in my sleep. It had a silver chain, at the center of which hung a dazzling Sapphire, โthis is a masterpiece. Are you taking it with you?โ She raised it above and observed its blue hues catching the light and shimmering in her hand like an ocean. She attached it to her collarbone and looked around for a mirror.Hurriedly heading to one, she gave herself a once over, โThis is exquisite. I would like to keep it, Rayna.โOh, no. N
Raynaโs POVI didnโt go overboard and just wore a simple floral middy dress that reached my knees. Alexander hadnโt told me if it would be indoors or outdoors.To be on the safe side, I kept a jacket with me and waited for him.The door got tapped at sharp seven.When I opened it, I found him standing there wearing a suit. I felt sadness surrounding my heart. He wore a suit on our first date too. It was to make Lola jealous and how happy I felt thinking it was done for me.Silly me!โReady?โ he asked me with a small smile and then offered me his elbow. I tried to suppress my smile because he was acting like a teenager who was there to date his favorite girl and wanted to win her heart.He wanted me to change my decision and stay. But this was not as easy as it seemed. โApologies. I should have told you that I was planning for outdoors. We can move to the dining area if you want andโฆโ โNo, no. Itโs good,โ I assured him and then tilted my head to check the arrangement in the middle of
Alexanderโs POV:The date plan was to make her happy. To let her go with all the good memories. My intention was never to make her shed tears. But what to do when my heart wanted to cry? All I wanted to do was take her in my arms and run away from all this royal shit.I made a blunder when I didnโt trust her and kept Lolaโs chapter hidden. She was justified in getting mad at me.โThe officials are waiting for you in the meeting room,โ I closed my eyes when got the mind link from Brian.Crap! How could I forget about it?Rayna Bennett. You are the death of me.โIโm coming,โ taking off my jacket, I rolled up my sleeves and sniffed my hand that had touched her body. Do whatever you want to do, sunshine. Go to your pack if you wish to. But I assure you, you will return to me. If this is what love takes, then Iโm ready for this test.Stay in your pack as long as you wish. If you decide to come back to me then fine. Otherwise, Iโll follow you and stay with you.You are not some ordinary sh
Raynaโs POV:I had been sitting there for a long time and didnโt want to leave the spot. The place where we had our last date. The lanterns were still there hanging and glowing.I could feel the burning gaze at my back, and I knew who it was. But I didnโt dare to turn around. I needed to leave by morning, and it was better if I tried to sleep in the car on the way to my pack instead of going back to his room and dwelling on those memories.I didnโt have any idea how long I stayed there when someone suddenly came from behind and sat beside me.That was the moment I started feeling that familiar itching in my fingers. โWhat? Again, that heartache? You need treatment?โ I asked Orion who looked up at the stars.โI donโt think so. Yes, Iโm hurt but I donโt think I need any more healing. I just need her,โ I started rubbing my palms together and knew who he was talking about.โFeeling cold?โ he had concern in his voice.โNo, this itching. Somebody needs healing.โ I looked at my fingertips wh
Alexanderโs POV:I went to my momโs quarters to keep a check on her. I hoped Orion didnโt put any pressure on Rayna to stay here.I was expecting Mom to be alone, ready to retire to her room but was surprised to find my sisters accompanying her.โYou people are not planning to sleep tonight?โ I sat on the sofa facing Mom and folded my leg to place my foot on the knee.โMom wanted to share how she met Dad,โ Ruby was quick to sit beside me and hold my hand. I liked her abrupt gesture of love and care. Initially, I was skeptical that once Orion would return, they would forget about me.Guess, I was wrong.โHavenโt she shared it already?โ I took out the mini square cushion placed behind me and set it on my lap.โYes, she has,โ Stella said with amusement in her voice, โbut we want to hear it again and again. Because every time there is something new, we usually get to know which we might have missed before.โFor a fleeting moment, I wished I could also ask my mom how she met my father. I k
(Two years later)โYour Highness. There is a woman who wants to meet you,โ I closed the book, I was reading in my library, and looked at the little bundle of joy sleeping peacefully in my arms.I mind linked the governess to come and get the baby and wait for me here. โKeep her here. No need to come out,โ I instructed her after kissing the small forehead and went to the guest area. I knew who my visitor was.That was the reason I passed some special instructions to my servants.When I reached there, I found a red-colored, huge, georgette cloth hanging in the middle. The woman was sitting on the other side of the cloth wrapped in a black shawl hiding more than half of her face.The shawl belonged to only one woman.No servants or maids were accompanying her. She was not wearing any fancy gown but a simple cotton skirt with a mismatched blouse.I took my seat on this side and waited for her to speak. I had somewhat guessed that she would come to meet me one day.โAlexanderโฆ Iโฆ Iโm here
(NOTE:Itโs a free chapter for my dearest readers as it was too short to post. Love you all!)Lolaโs POV:Sigh! I was back in the cell and was trying to decide if this time I should seduce the guards or the strong man who usually brought meals for me.This time I was chained but there was almost no physical abuse. Orion passed the order of my arrest because someone told him that I attempted to kill Alexander.And why would I do that? I love him!I kept screaming at the top of my lungs that I was innocent and thenโฆThen someone told me that Liam heard me talking to the witch.My own flesh and blood were the ones who spoke against me. When I kept doing all those evil things, nobody could even harm a hair on my body.But this time when I was really innocent, I was thrown into the dungeons. I didnโt say a word after that. Trust me.The person who loves you most can give you the worst pain. In my case, it was Liam. Every bad thing I was doing to others was because of him.I wanted the thro
Zaraโs POV:(Trigger warning for physical abuse and rape, but not too graphic)There wasnโt a moment I didnโt miss my friend. As Omegas, all of us always had great respect for her. None of us could tell her that. She was always so strong-headed and knew how to stand and speak up for her rights. Nothing about her was odd. Do you know, why?Because she was the firstborn of the beta of the pack. As powerful and as strong-willed as a beta should be. Her father, her stepmom, his mates, Violetโฆ all of them tried to take away something she deserved.And then didnโt like it when she took a stand for herself and protested. Eric must have realized what a gem he lost.But the shitty-headed man didnโt want to accept it with an open heart. Apparently, a man is someone who knows how to suppress a woman and finds it insulting to apologize for his mistakes.His ego is bigger than his di*ck.That day when Rayna went to take a shower because she was too excited about her upcoming date with King Alexan
Raynaโs POV:โWhat is my wife thinking!โ I gasped and then smiled when his arms wrapped around my waist kissing the nape of my neck.โI was missing my husband,โ I leaned back my head to his chest, forgetting all my worries knowing full well he was there to take care of everything.I trusted him and was sure he would be a great father to our child.โHow is our son doing?โ his hand slid under my top and I laughed hard when it settled on my bo*ob. โThe baby doesnโt reside here, mister,โ I gestured using my eyes towards his hand that was under my clothes. โUmm hmm. I know. His food is. I was just checking if there is enough to fill his tummy,โ I felt his nose getting in my hair. โAhan! His food or your food?โโBoth!โ he chuckled when felt my shoulders shaking with mirth.โYou keep saying his, him, heโฆ what if itโs a daughter?โโLycans of royal lineage usually have sons as their firstborn,โ he informed me huskily, โAnd we donโt prefer ultrasounds too unless itโs an emergency.โIn werew
Raynaโs POV:My eyes fluttered and I felt like I was waking up from a deep sleep. With a frown, I opened my eyes and found Alexanderโs face leaning on me.โWelcome back!โ I felt his lips on my forehead. โAlexander!โ I raised my hand to trail my fingers on his face, โYโฆyou โฆ you are alive!โ He turned his face to kiss my palm, โVery much. Just get well soon, so that I can punish you for what you did,โ He murmured and kissed my cheek.โPunish?โ my hand quickly flew to my belly when saw tears in his eyes.โHe is safe, sunshine. Donโt worry. He is my son and he made it.โHis image blurred when my eyes well up with tears, and he started wiping my face, โWhatever you did was quite risky, Rayna.โโI was fighting the Moon Goddess, Alex. Whatโs the use of these hands and the healing power when I canโt bring you back.โHe leaned his cheek against my face, and I felt his tears falling on my face, โIf I tell you,โ He spoke, โthat Iโm done with taking care of this kingdom and no more want this th
Orionโs POV:โThe baby is safe,โ the moment the doctor announced it, a loud cheer erupted in the hospital corridor. Till a few minutes back, everyone was concerned for Rayna and the babyโs health but now all of us were beaming with joy.โOrion,โ I heard Nora behind me, โWhy is Mom not coming to visit Alexander? Donโt you think she is behaving a lot weirdly, lately?โThe same question kept disturbing me for the past few days. Why was Mom not paying him any visit? She always took him as her son to the point that I felt jealous. And now when I had made peace with it, she had started acting strange.My security department had arrested several people from the palace, but our investigation faced a dead end.According to the guards who were on duty, only Mom was the one who visited Alexander so that meant only one thing.Whoever this murderer was, didnโt use the main entrance.Nobody forced Mom to see Alexander in the hospital because with age she wasnโt handling a few things quite well.We
Raynaโs POV:Right after the surgery, I was taken inside where his lifeless body was lying on the bed. His chest was wrapped in bandages, and he was kept alive by all those beeping machines.I raised my hands and there was no itching or any hue there.โWhatโs the matter?โ I whispered to myself.โMaโam,โ a nurse spoke to me, โif you need anything then please press this button,โ when she left the room, I sat on the edge of his bed instead of taking the nearby seat.โI donโt need any switches. I want nothing but you,โ I said to him, without knowing if he could hear me or not.โI donโt have anyone in this world. My mother died. Father never thought of me as his own. My best friend broke up with me yesterdayโฆโ I held his hand gently, โLola was a nutcase. Liam and Grace do love me, but they are too little to understand me. All I have got is youโฆ and this little life growing inside me.โI slowly laid his hand on my belly, โHere. Your child, Alexander. Our child. Just when it was time to spoi
Orion's POV:We all were gathered in the grand hall of the palace that was reserved strictly for Royal ceremonies. While standing on the stage, the incidents that happened seven years ago, kept playing in my mind like a movie.Just like that day, my family was seated in the front row, their eyes devoid of any happiness. Nora, Stella, and Ruby were observing the ceremony solemnly but there was no excitement in those eyes that was there seven years back.Yet, my mom was the same. She had pride when she saw me all ready to take the oath to become the king of the Aradia Kingdom. She was wiping her tears, and I was aware of her mental state.She must be disturbed by Alexanderโs condition but had to put up the face for peopleโs sake because apparently a queen is supposed to stay composed in public.The most senior cleric brought the Holy book and raised it on both hands, with his head bowed in respect.I placed my right hand on the book and repeated the words said by the him,โI, Orion Iron
Raynaโs POV:Most of my packing was done, however my basic stuff was yet to be placed in the bag. Beta Brian must be crazy to wake me up at this ungodly hour. The poor guy seemed to have multiple personality disorder.After brushing my teeth, and washing my face, I placed my leftover stuff in the bag and knocked my door loudly from inside.It was a sign to the one waiting outside that I was done. It was a way for royals to tell their servants that they were needed inside.When Brian came inside, I was busy suppressing the loud yawn. I had to squeeze my eyes several times to get rid of my sleepy head.โCan we get coffee? Iโm too sleepy to walkโฆโ This time I couldnโt control the yawn and quickly covered my mouth with my hand.โYou can sleep in the car,โ He muttered and then didnโt wait for my answer and left the room with my bag.โWhatโs the rush by the way?โ I tried to catch up with his long strides, โNo breakfast. No coffee. Alexander might not like it.โ I said with a pout causing hi