CALANTHA What does one do while they wait for their significant other to show up? Have a long shower then change into something lighter from their dinner dress to a simpler nightwear? Checked.Pace around the chamber and pretend to be interested in the wall arts, decorations and swords hanging on the wall, while you wait? Checked.Text your best friends and ask if they’ve gotten home safely? Checked.Lie on your back on the bed and stare at the ceiling, counting how many moon crest symbols are decorated on the ceiling? Checked.I literally did all I could think of as I waited for Kaiden to show up. Even though the dinner party was long over, Kaiden was still entertaining the external guests in the courtyard with the Queen, while I was escorted back to my chamber because the sick feeling I was having seemed to have increased.Now, here I was, waiting for Kaiden for hours, bored and hoping he’d show up anytime soon. But all that greeted me was disappointment.Soon, I fell asleep and
NYXOnce the dinner party was finally over, I said my goodbyes to Calantha and Eloise and followed aunt Diane to her car. Just as we reached the car, she stopped to exchange pleasantries with some other dignitaries, leaving me all alone by myself, standing by the car.As I waited impatiently for aunt Diane, I heard the sound of footsteps near me and I lifted my gaze to see who it was.Cross’s dark charcoal grey eyes locked into mine as he stopped right in front of me, towering over me and staring at me like one would a fragile child.“Uhm…” I cleared my throat and shifted awkwardly on my feet, wondering why heapproached me. I had thought that whatever interaction we had, ended that night he had saved me. “Hi.”“Hi.” His deep masculine voice replied as he stared more intently at me while I hugged my small body with my arms, suddenly conscious of the subtle exposed cleavage of my dress. I watched as his eyes drifted to my aunt who was still engrossed in her conversation with those gue
CALANTHA“Phew! What a relief.” Ivy sighed as we stepped outside, walking side by side. I let out a deep breath too, feeling the cool air fill my lungs.“Glad I’m not the only one who would rather be anywhere but that dinner.” I said, and she let out a soft laugh, shaking her head.“The vampire queen was driving me crazy. She just wouldn’t stop talking.”“I know, right?” I laughed with her. “For me, it was the Siren empress. She was so annoying.”“Shhh!” Ivy giggled, quickly glancing around while putting a finger to her lips. I pressed a hand over my mouth, trying not to laugh too loudly. “Someone will hear us!”We kept chuckling as we walked along, step by step, until we reached the water fountain by the driveway. Ivy’s steps began to slow, and I matched her pace. The laughter had finally faded, but the silence between us felt calm and even comfortable.Somehow, being here with her felt much nicer than being at that grand table full of forced smiles, and analyzing stares. I had a fe
CALANTHAI didn’t step into the guest bathroom where I had seen Nyx’s aunt go in. Instead, I waited just outside, leaning lightly against the wall as I took a moment to breathe. The noise and tension from the banquet hall felt like a distant hum now, and for the first time tonight, I felt the pressure ease off my chest.This little escape gave me time to think, and to breathe without all the masks everyone wore at that dinner.Honestly, I didn’t understand how these upper-class nobles managed to survive their lives, let alone enjoy them. The entire meal had felt like a performance. Everyone trying to outshine the next, everyone bragging about their offspring and how they would definitely win the tournament. It wasn’t just exhausting, but also suffocating.And to make matters worse, I hadn’t been feeling entirely well since yesterday. A little dizzy, slightly nauseous. This moment of quiet away from everyone felt like a small blessing.Finally, the door creaked open and Nyx’s aunt step
CALANTHAKaiden and I walked side by side, his arm gently wrapped around my waist. As we entered the grand diner, everyone stood up from their seats and bowed their heads quietly in respect.Together, moving in sync with Kaiden’s calm pace, we made our way to the grand center table. Two seats waited at the head; one for Kaiden and one for me.Only after we sat down did the others take their seats. I glanced around the table just once, catching a quick look at the people sitting there, then dropped my eyes back down to the table. My fingers clutched at the fabric of my dress nervously. My palms were damp, and my heart was racing.This was nothing like anything I had ever experienced before. I had never been in a room filled with so many powerful and royal figures not just from our pack, but beyond. It wasn’t only werewolves tonight. There were many other beings, and I could feel all their eyes on me too.They were watching me, studying me. It was their first time seeing me, and I coul
LYSANDRAThe Queen’s dinner party was finally happening tonight. The pack was already filled with respected and high-ranking people from all over the realm, and here I was in my room, getting ready to attend.The maids had just finished dressing me and I was now standing in front of the mirror, wearing my evening gown and admiring how I looked. My hair was pulled into a neat bun, and my makeup was simple but elegant. Just enough to highlight my features.A small smile formed on my lips as I twirled once in front of the mirror. I had been waiting all day for this moment. Waiting for Kaiden to see me. By now, the love potion should have taken effect. If he saw me tonight, he would fall deeply in love with me. Hopelessly.I let out a quiet giggle as I looked at my reflection. Tonight, his heart would finally be mine. Forever.Just then, a knock came at the door, pulling me out of my little celebration. I didn’t look away from the mirror as I answered.“Come in.”The door opened softly, a
IVYThe way my father was eating—his grip tight around his cutlery, his movements sharp as he cut into his steak, and his face cold and unreadable—made it obvious that he was in a terrible mood. The heavy silence filling the dining room only confirmed it. And I knew exactly why.It was because I had just told him that Calantha had returned to the packhouse.I sat stiffly at the table, barely able to eat. My eyes shifted now and then to my sisters, who were just as tense, sitting like statues and chewing quietly. This was how things always were when our father was silently furious. No one dared speak. No one even dared breathe too loudly around him.“I can’t believe the Queen and the Lycan King would go back on their word,” he finally said, breaking the silence with a voice tight with anger. His eyes stayed on his plate, dark and full of rage. “They promised me you would carry the Lycan King’s pup… that you would become his concubine.”I swallowed hard, forcing the food down my throat
CALANTHA“We’re thinking of serving vampire ceviche shots, avocado and pomegranate bruschetta for the vegan-friendly fae and witches, moon macarons, and a few other dishes you can see here on the menu.” Lorita, the head cook, explained to Queen Adeline as she showed her the digital menu on her tablet.“All the food and drinks will be specially prepared to suit every species,” she continued. “We’ll also have color codes to avoid any mix up. Red for werewolves, violet for witches, blue for sirens, black for vampires, and green for fae…”As Lorita went on, my thoughts drifted far away and back to the steamy moment I had just shared with Kaiden in the shower.His hands gently scrubbing my skin, pausing on my breasts to give them soft squeezes, his fingers teasing my nipples in slow circles… The way he slipped behind me in the tub and slid into me from behind, our wet bodies moving together under the water. His lips on mine, his slow thrusts, the stretch of him inside me…“Luna Calantha. A
CALANTHAKaiden held me close all through the night, his arms wrapped tightly around me as we slept. My body was still sore and aching all the sex, but somehow, I slept deeply and peacefully. I woke up a few times, only to feel his arms still around me, his steady breath on my neck, and the warmth of his body pressed against mine.Each time, I smiled to myself.My heart felt soft, full, remembering everything that brought us here. It felt as though it was just yesterday when Ryker had dumped and embarrassed me in front of everyone at his party. That same night when Kaiden had offered to make me feel better, which had led to our unexpected one-night stand. Then came the contract, to pretend to be his mate. And now, here we were. Lying in each other’s arms after an epic sex and Kaiden repeatedly whispering how much I meant to him.It made my heart race. And ache.Because as happy as it made me, it scared me just as much. What if one day he woke up and decided he didn’t want me anymore