The crack of porcelain against stone echoed like a gunshot in the silence.Elara stared at the shattered teacup at her feet, her pulse thudding. Damon had flung it at the wall beside her head, barely missing her.“You will not make me look like a fool in front of the council again,” he snarled, voice shaking with fury. “You think baring your teeth makes you strong? You’re an Omega. Stay in your place.”Elara blinked once, slowly. Her heart should have been racing. Her knees should have buckled like they used to. But now?Now, all she felt was clarity.She stepped over the broken shards without flinching. “If you didn’t want to look like a fool, perhaps you should have prepared better. Not whined like a spoiled child when the High Beta asked you a question.”Damon froze, as if stunned she dared respond. The silence stretched.“You will regret that,” he whispered, stepping closer.But Elara didn’t flinch. Her lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile.“I already regret wasting years bei
The Spring Festival blurred into a cacophony of forced smiles and empty pleasantries for Kaelen. The weight of his crown, usually a familiar presence, now felt like a leaden band crushing his skull. He saw the joy on the faces of his people, the shared laughter, the burgeoning romances blooming under the spring sun, and a stark, painful contrast ignited within him. He was a prince, an Alpha, destined for duty, yet his heart yearned for a life he couldn't have, a woman he couldn't claim.His uncle, King Valerius, clapped him on the shoulder, the gesture feeling more like a brand. "A fine festival, wouldn't you say, Kaelen? The Verdant Glade pack seems quite pleased with the engagement announcement. Lady Annelise is already proving to be a charming addition."Kaelen managed a tight smile. "Indeed, Uncle." He forced himself to look in Annelise's direction. She was surrounded by a gaggle of chattering women, her laughter ringing out, a sound that somehow grated on him. She was beautiful,
(Elara’s POV)Happiness is overrated, anyway. Who needs it when you can have a perfectly curated facade of normalcy? I pasted a bright smile on my face, the kind that said 'I'm thrilled about the latest development in my life' when, in reality, I was dying a slow death on the inside." It's almost psychotic.The announcement of Kaelen's engagement was like a beautifully wrapped gift – all sparkles and smiles on the outside, but filled with razor-sharp disappointment and heartache on the inside. I was expected to celebrate, to join in the chorus of congratulations, all while quietly burying my own dreams.Life is full of surprises, and not all of them are pleasant. Like the sudden realization that the person you love is now promised to someone else. How lovely. Just what I needed to make my pregnancy glow all the more radiant – a healthy dose of emotional turmoil.I practiced my 'delighted' face in the mirror, as I have to go out there again since the feast is not yet over, making sure
(Elara's POV)The day had arrived. The Spring Festival. A day of unity, a day of alliances, and for me, a day I desperately hoped to survive with my sanity intact.I stood before the full-length mirror, my reflection staring back with a mixture of apprehension and defiance. The lavender dress Kaelen had picked out clung to me like a second skin, the delicate fabric whispering against my curves. It was breathtaking, the light shade highlighting the soft glow of my omega skin. The flowing design, particularly around my burgeoning belly, was subtly alluring, hinting instead of revealing. It was a masterpiece, a testament to Kaelen's exquisite taste… and his desire to make Damon regret his actions.A bitter smile touched my lips. Regret wouldn't even scratch the surface of what Damon was capable of feeling.I took extra care with my appearance, wanting to feel… beautiful. Not for Damon, gods no, but for myself. And perhaps, a tiny, forbidden part of me admitted, for Kaelen.My reflection
(Elara's POV)A nervous flutter danced in my stomach, a sensation completely foreign after years of… well, existing more than living. Tonight was different. Kaelen had called, his voice a warm rumble that sent shivers down my spine, and asked me to meet him. Just like any other day, but the way he asked this time, the sweet nothings... It was the first time I'd felt this bizarre urge to look a certain way, to impress him. Ridiculous, I know. A very pregnant omega, trying to primp for an Alpha Prince.I stared at my reflection, a critical eye dissecting every flaw. My hair, usually braided to keep it out of the way, flowed down my back, the black a stark contrast to the pale lavender of my silk slip. I ran a brush through it, trying to tame the flyaways. My face, usually devoid of makeup, now sported a touch of tinted moisturizer to even out my complexion. I even dared to use a bit of blush."Silly," I muttered to myself, but a small smile tugged at my lips. It felt… good. Like I was r
The morning sun, a pale gold, crept through the gaps in the curtains of the modest apartment, painting stripes across the rumpled sheets. Elara stirred, her dark hair a tangled halo around her face. Last night felt like a dream, a shared stolen moment of solace and unexpected comfort. But the solid warmth of Kaelen beside her, the steady rhythm of his breathing, assured her it was real.Her first instinct, before even opening her eyes fully, was to scent him. It was a primal urge, an omega's inherent need to mark and claim, to reassure herself that he was there, safe, and hers. She rose slightly, her fingers tracing the strong line of his jaw, the curve of his neck. Then, she inhaled. Deeply.The scent of Kaelen filled her senses – a potent blend of pine and rain, overlaid with the faintest hint of ozone, the scent of untamed power. As she breathed him in, a shiver ran down her spine. She deliberately prolonged the scent to ensure she gets his real scent, and feel his heat, triggering