Se connecterChapter 82: Blood and HealingELENA“I want my mommy” The little girl's name was Sarah, and she was on the sick bed, dying.I have been tending the sick for three days now… it's been close to a week since my trial, and since the pandemic befell on the pack. And by magic and sorcery, Anna had somehow convinced Kieran to let me out of the cell temporarily to help in the infirmary under heavy supervision. They'd agreed, I suspected, because they were desperate. Every hand was needed, even a prisoner's.The work was exhausting and heartbreaking. I'd watched strong warriors reduced to helpless invalids. I had held the hands of servants as they slipped away, their families barred from entering by quarantine protocols. But I worked through it all with satisfaction.Finally, I felt a sense of purpose I have never felt in my entire life… to save lives.Even though every day that past might be my last day, I buried everything, my worry, the fact that kirean had never bothered to see me since
KIERAN"Your Majesty!" The messenger's wail echoed through the Great Hall like a death knell. He collapsed onto the polished floor dramatically, his body convulsing. "The pack... calamity has befallen us!"I was on my feet before my brain could register what he said, the alpha in me, surging forward. Every political consideration, every bitter emotion from the trial… it all vanished in an instant. Replaced by the hunger to tend to the needs of my people. My pack was in danger."Report," I commanded, my voice cutting through the rising panic in the hall. "What's happened?"The messenger struggled to his knees, blood dripping from his sleeve onto the marble. His eyes were wild, unfocused. "People... collapsing in the streets. Fever. They're burning up. Dozens already, maybe more. The healers don't know what…"He never finished. His eyes rolled back, and he crumpled to the floor, unconscious."Get him to the healers," I barked at the nearest guards, heading towards the door. "Marcus, w
Chapter 80: The CalamityELENAThe world around me suddenly came to a stop… nobles shouting, elders calling for order, the crowd pressing forward to witness the scandal, I heard none of it.Everything was muffled, distant, like I was drowning."HOW DARE YOU!" Marcus roared, but Catherine spoke over him, her voice cutting through the chaos."It's true, isn't it, Your Majesty? She warms your royal bed at night. How can you possibly render fair judgment when you have ties with the accused? When your objectivity has been compromised by...desires?""SILENCE!" Elder Rothgar's command finally brought order. When the hall had quieted, he fixed Kieran with a penetrating stare. "Is this true, Your Majesty? Have you formed a mate bond with the accused?"Every eye in the hall turned to the aMan on the throne.To Kieran, who sat rigid as carved stone, his hands gripping the armrests hard enough to make the wood creak. A muscle jumped in his jaw. For one heartbeat, I thought he might defend me. Mi
Chapter 79: The Trial BeginsELENAThe guards hauled me through the palace corridors like I was already condemned.My feet barely touched the ground as they dragged me, the rough stone scraping against my bare soles. The robe they'd thrown over me provided little protection against the cold…or the stares of servants and courtiers followed me through the corridors like it was a spectacle.“Traitor” “whore…”I heard the whispers but couldn't bring myself to care. Couldn't bring myself to feel anything beyond the gaping wound where my heart used to be.*It doesn't mean anything. You were available. I was drunk.*Kieran's words played on repeat in my mind, each repetition carving deeper into my soul. How could he do this? How could he hold me so tenderly one moment, make me feel safe for the first time in my life... and then throw me away like garbage before the sun had fully risen?“Make it stop” my wolf whimpered, curled into a ball of misery in my mind. “Please make it stop.”But I c
Chapter 78: The Morning AfterKIERANDawn broke through the windows, painting Elena's skin in shades of gold and rose.I had been awake for over an hour, watching her sleep. I let myself for a few minutes bask in the view that was displayed in my front. I memorized every detail, the curve of her cheek, the way her lashes fanned against her skin, the slight parting of her lips with each peaceful breath.Her hair spilled across my pillow like dark silk. One hand rested against my chest, right over my heart, as if even in sleep she sought connection. The sheets had slipped down to her waist, revealing skin together with marks I had left on her… love bites on her neck, her shoulders, the swell of her breasts.Evidence of my claim. Visible proof of what transpired between us.Mine.The word echoed through my mind, my wolf's voice mixing with my own until I couldn't tell where one ended and the other began.She stirred slightly, a soft sound escaping her lips, and I felt myself harden agai
Chapter 77: Claimed 2ELENATight!!Too tight… That was the only thing that came into my mind the moment he entered me, pain exploded through my entire body like lightning.A gasp escaped my mouth, my entire body going rigid beneath him. It felt like being torn apart, split open, invaded by something too large, too much, too overwhelming.*Mine!* my wolf howled in triumph, dancing circles in my mind, completely oblivious to the sharp sting radiating from where we were joined. *Mate! Ours! Finally!*But I couldn't share her enthusiasm. Not yet. Not when every nerve ending screamed in protest at the intrusion, my downside was on fire.Kieran froze immediately.His entire body went still above me, trembling with the effort from holding himself back. His golden eyes found mine, and I saw the beast beneath those golden orbs… and from the way his eyes kept on flickering, he was fighting with his primal instincts."Elena," he rasped, his voice strained. "Breathe, little wolf. Just breathe th
The Hidden PrincessElise's POVI stared at the ceiling of my bedroom and counted the cracks in the stone for the hundredth time. Seventeen. There were always seventeen cracks, spreading out like tree branches from the corner near the window.A wicked smile tugged at my lips. Elena thought there we
Elena's POVThe door closed behind Mira with a soft click that sounded like a prison lock sliding into place.Kieran stood in the center of my chambers, filling the space with his presence in a way that made the enormous room feel suddenly small. He wore black as always, but tonight the clothing se
CHAPTER 33: little liarElena's povThe way she smiled, while looking at me made me almost rethink my life choices."You look confused," Catherine said again, her voice smooth as honey, as she came even closer, so close that I could see the heavy makeup she was on, even in the night. "I suppose you
Chapter 35: Shattered trustKieran's POV"A traitor!!"The word tore from my throat like a curse, and I watched Elena flinch as if I had struck her. Good. Let her feel a fraction of the pain that was currently ripping through my chest."Take her away," I commanded, turning my back before she could







