If you all are reading it, can you all show me your presence by giving reviews on the main page of this book? xoxo Lisa Salman-author
Rayna pov Maybe I was mentally prepared for Lola to give away what she heard in the powder room but not even in my wildest dreams, I was expecting this offer.Lola Bennett helping me!ME?I smirked and tried to walk away when she held my arm with a light grip.“I’m not the same timid girl, Lola.” I glared at her arm, “I won’t need the king to kill you.” I said looking into her eyes. Gone were the days when she used to bully me along with other pack members.“Then kill me, Rayna. What are you waiting for.” She was not sarcastic like her usual self. Something had changed in those blue eyes.I didn’t want to engage in any kind of argument. My only priority was to get out of the palace safe and sound. Something in my gut told me that she wouldn’t tell it to anyone. Lola would never bear it that a girl who used to be below her would become the King’s mistress.Being a king’s mistress might not be as authoritative as a queen, but mistresses of influential men used to be quite powerful wit
Rayna Bennett“Rise!” The king commanded and started taking slow steps towards me. His eyes assessing me like a hawk who wanted nothing but to devour its prey.All the maids started leaving the kitchen walking out slowly in a daze. Why the hell did I miss it? He had this royal air all the time around him.“Ameera!” His eyes were still on me when he called the kitchen head. The poor woman might not be expecting that he knew her name.“Ye…yes, your majesty.” She bowed with her fist on her chest, “Take care of the kids.”“Yes, Your Majesty.”He offered his hand to me. With hesitancy, I placed my hand in his. He gripped it, and pulled it up to make me stand from the high chair.His hand felt deliciously warm, he tucked mine under his armpit and walked out.“Please leave my hand,” I whispered under my breath, “everyone is watching.”That didn’t stop him, “Then let them watch, Rayna. I don’t care.”“But I do!” I tried to protest, almost running beside him, trying to keep up with his pace.I
Rayna’s pov:It unexpectedly struck a chord within me that led to tears, “Rayna… all I need is a chance to prove myself and your trust. Please don’t do this to me. Don’t do this to us.” He was looking at me with those imploring hazel eyes.Chewing my lower lip, I glanced up at him. His eyes were closed and there were tears on his face too. He was telling me the truth.Did he… did he also… The king of Aradia Kingdom had the same feelings for me?“I need time!” I at last broke the spell.“This is what Beta Brian said. This is what my heart tells me. That you need time. My beast is the only one who wants to mark you without your consent. But don’t worry. I’ll handle him.”I felt his lips against my forehead and closed my eyes.“You are not allowed to kiss me… like this…” I flicked my hand in the air.“Hmm? Is that so? Remember when you were half-marked by Eric? When you were in heat?” I frowned, tilting back my head, wondering where this was going.“Who can forget that torturous night?”
Rayna Bennett pov This morning was chaos due to the kids. They were too hungry and only wanted chocolate cake for breakfast. As a pack cook, I used to make pancakes and boiled eggs for them, but their demand for chocolate cake wasn’t normal. The problem was that I was just their elder sister. Not their mom. “Guys! I can’t allow you chocolate cake unless your mom approves of it.” I said after bringing them back from the staff bathroom. “But ever since we have come here, Mom is allowing us to eat whatever we want,” Grace told me with a pout, and that struck me a little odd. Lola never compromised on her kids’ diet. I had even seen her taking care of Violet like a baby. “Are you sure? I don’t think your mom would ever allow that.” I started helping Grace with putting on her socks. “Grace is right, Rayna. Mom used to be so strict in the pack house. Here she is letting us do and eat whatever we want.” Liam said while donning the t-shirt with his chubby hands. “Wh…why? I mean… why wo
To win me over?To win me over?The same thing kept repeating itself in my head. What was so special about me?We were no more sitting opposite to each other but next to each other. Giggling like kids, we finished our breakfast and I kid you not, that overcooked pie was very delicious. It had become a little hard, so I dipped it in my coffee before putting it in my mouth. He threw back his head and laughed hard,“Seriously? Are you praising my cooking skills or insulting me?” His arm snaked around me in an attempt to squeeze me to his side.While laughing with him, it slipped my mind that I was with a king. I kept teasing him about the pie and he teased me about getting help for my mating heat.“I’ll wash the dishes,” I announced leaving my chair and started placing the plates in the sink.“There is a dishwasher and that can be taken care of easily.” He pushed me away from the sink and scooped me up, “I invited you to spend time with me. Not to do this dishwashing thing.”I wrapped my
“Alexander!” I was horrified by the impact. What was that?Wasn’t my hand supposed to provide healing? Then why this violence?With a loud growl, Alexander stood up holding his hand. I tried to reach the little bump on his forehead, “Are you alright?”“How did you manage that?” He held my hand, keeping it away from touching him, “Don’t worry about it. It will heal in no time. My beast is at the back of my mind with its tail between its legs.” He chuckled, “It’s scared of you.”“You must be kidding,” I kissed his shoulder and wrapped my arms around his rugged figure. “Today, my beast acted like a party pooper. We were just reaching the good part.” That made me blush to the roots.“No need to be shy, baby girl. I already told you, I have seen it all. Ouch.” He yelped when I pinched his arm.“I need to go. Megan is about to return, and I need to get done with some … tasks…” I trailed off not knowing what to tell him.He might put restrictions if I told him that I was doing kitchen chore
Rayna’s pov:“You are trying to sound happy. But your face says otherwise,” Megan remarked sliding the closet door, “What’s the matter?” She sat on the edge of the bed beside me.How to tell her that there was a war going on inside my head and my heart?My head was telling me to flee while my heart was telling me to be a bit*ch and stay with him.“Tell me something,” I said without responding to her, “Are Alex … I mean the King Alexander and Nora… Are they kind of close? As an engaged couple, I mean?”Megan couldn’t speak for a few moments as if she was trying to weigh down my words.“Yes. They were quite close,” I felt my heart sinking in the pit of my stomach, “ever since he returned from this trip, he is not the same… he …” Megan’s chin was almost touching her chest, examining her hands on the lap, “he seems happy but not at ease around his family. In fact, I’ve noticed that…”“That?”“That he had this twinkle in his eyes when he lifted you in that family dinner. That was the first
Rayna’s pov:I felt myself shuddering. The adrenaline rush kicked in and I gave Lola a questioning look. She understood it and nodded silently,“I’m taking kids inside for the nap. Will get to you before evening. Just be ready,”Inhaling lots of Oxygen, I blew out a long breath.It was time!***Alexander’s pov:I was seated in my office but hadn’t even touched a file since I got here. Again, that Royal intuition was kicking in. Something didn’t feel right, but I wasn’t able to place my finger on it.Rayna wanted to accompany me to my quarters, but she chose to stay back. Was she still guilty because of Nora?I needed to talk to Nora about it.“What are you doing right now?” I sent her a mind link, “We need to talk.” “Didn’t I tell you a few minutes back, Alexander? I’m not interested in talking to you.” She was about to close the link when I stopped her.“Nora. It's not about our issue. This is about someone else.”“Then maybe I should suggest you address my issue first then I’ll se