Arianna watched as the first guard approached, crouching beside her. Painful whimpers escaped her throat, soft yet filled with agony.
"End her and bûrn the body." She couldn’t believe those words had come from Kael’s mouth. The man she had given her heart and body to was a traitor, and she was just a pawn to his own game of stealing the throne? The thought made her heart clench even tighter. “All my life, I’ve wondered what it would feel like to kill a highborn. It’ll be a marvelous feeling, I suppose. Now, I finally get the chance, thanks to Alpha Kael,” the guard sneered, licking his lips, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust. Arianna shut her eyes, more tears streaming down her face. She was slipping into darkness, her strength fading quickly. Her breathing was labored, and she knew her condition would worsen if she didn’t do something about the wound Kael had inflicted. “But today isn’t the day for that,” the guard added, and Arianna’s eyes fluttered open in confusion. What? The second guard stepped forward, wearing the same twisted expression. “You’ve got a pretty face, eyes, lips, and body. Men would pay a fortune for you.” Arianna’s heart sank. She understood now—they were going to sell her. “No... no don't,” she tried to say, but her voice failed her, barely a whisper escaping her lips. She needed to think of a way out, but her mind was clouded by pain and betrayal. Her wolf, Lily, was silent, gone into hibernation, offering no help. The first guard pulled out a vial of liquid. “Antidote for the poison, this will stop the bleeding and put you to sleep. Death would make you useless,” he said, pouring the liquid onto her wound. She hissed in pain as it stung her skin. They forced another vial to her lips, making her drink. The potion worked quickly, and Arianna’s world faded to black. Her fate… sealed. ********** “Ladies and gentlemen… welcome to today’s exclusive…” A voice broke through Arianna’s unconsciousness as she slowly emerged from the darkness. Her head throbbed, and her eyes fluttered open, struggling to adjust to the bright lights above her. The voice continued. “It is a pleasure to have you all out here…” Arianna’s vision cleared, and she saw the crowd around her, dressed in extravagant clothing, all eyes fixed on her. Many of the men’s gazes were filled with lust. Where am I? Memories flooded back—Kael’s betrayal, right after she had given herself to him. The same mate who had looked her in the eyes, rejected her, and ordered the guards to kill her and burn her body. Arianna’s eyes widened as she tried to move, but she was chained to a metal chair. Panic surged through her, her chest rising and falling with rapid breaths. A hand settled on her shoulder. “Easy, Alpha’s daughter…” The voice was mocking, and Arianna looked up to see a stranger giving her a condescending squeeze. What was happening? Were they going to kill her in front of all these people? “Tonight’s auction is a special one. Our item here is Arianna, the first daughter of the late Alpha Thane.” An auction? Right. The guards hadn’t killed her. They had brought her here to be sold like livestock. Her heart raced rapidly, pounding against her ribcage like a caged animal. Why was this happening? She was supposed to be the next ruler of the Ravenhood pack, and now she was about to be sold. This is disgusting… this is truly disgusting! Her thoughts drifted to her younger sister, Lylah. Was she safe? What if Kael decided to hurt her too? She had to escape. “Let me go!” she struggled against the chain, glaring at the man, who only smirked. “Let me go, you bastard, or I’ll end you!” The man laughed, his voice dripping with mockery. “End me? Oh, please,” he said, grabbing her hair and yanking her head back. Arianna yelped at the pain that spread through her scalp. His eyes blazed with anger. “Your father is dead. You’re no one now—an exiled wolf with no title. Your pack revealed how you betrayed them by conspiring with the enemy for your own selfish desires… Traitor...” What?! Arianna’s brow furrowed. Was that the lie the guard had spread? That she was a Traitor? “They caught you and decided to punish you by bringing you here. The new and true Alpha of the Ravenhood pack is now Alpha Kael Ryder.” “That’s not true! I’m not a traitor!” Arianna shouted, her voice filled with desperation. None of this made sense. The man ignored her and turned to the audience. “She has the blood of an Alpha running through her veins. She’s special and will have many uses.” The way he emphasized “many uses” sent a chill down Arianna’s spine. She felt a wave of nausea wash over her, and tears welled up in her eyes. “Please, let me go,” she whispered, her voice breaking. Her wound still throbbed, and she remembered how Lily had gone into hibernation after Kael’s cruel betrayal. The memory reignited her anger. She would make them pay. All of them. “Let’s see what’s underneath!” one of the men in the crowd suddenly shouted, and Arianna’s eyes widened in horror, almost popping out of its socket. The crowd erupted in cheers, and her eyes darted around the room frantically. Are they insane?! As the demand hung in the air, the host stepped forward, standing in front of her. “Please…” Arianna shook her head, her voice trembling. The chains seemed to tighten around her, cutting into her skin. “Don’t… don’t do this… please.” The host smirked, reaching for the hem of her dress. “Shush now, sweetheart. Let’s see what a highborn looks like underneath,” he sneered, and with a sudden jerk, he ripped her dress open, exposing her. “You can’t do this!” she screamed, her face burning with shame and rage. As if it wasn't enough, the man ripped it further to her abdomen, then knowingly brushed his finger on her cleavage. “Nooo!” she roared, struggling against the chains. Laughter echoed through the hall, and Arianna lowered her head, unable to bear the humiliation. Why? Why was the Moon Goddess so cruel? The shame was unbearable, and her anger boiled over, her cries barely audible. “Do you like what you see?” the host’s voice boomed, and the crowd cheered again. “Let’s start the bidding at five million,” he announced, and immediately, several hands shot up. Arianna knew these people were dangerous—high society, rogues, outcasts. She could even sense vampires among them. “Six million.” “Six and a half.” “Seven million.” The numbers climbed, and Arianna watched, horrified, as the devious men and women placed their bids. It still felt like a nightmare she couldn’t wake from. "30 million!" A voice sounded across, and Arianna's eyes fluttered open wide. She raised her head and spotted an old man who had just seemed to have won the bid... As their eyes locked, Ariana's felt irritated. She was sold, a fate she could never change. Her life now belonged to another.Lylah held his gaze for a little longer. Her throat thick. Then she slowly let go, letting the cloak slide down her shoulder and drop silently to the floor.He stilled, eyes roaming over the dark ink that kept her scars hidden. Even at that, one could still see them—the way they wickedly ran across her arms.Lylah didn't stop. She reached for the rope that held her tunic. Let it loose. Her trouser came next.Each scar tells its story. The survival of the barricades that bound her, and the blood, screams, and deaths in the arena.She was left with just a bind on her breasts and a thin fabric that covered her already damp most intimate part.Slowly, she met his gaze. Those crimson eyes were slowly turning into gold.She recalled when Arianna saw all of it. Her sister had cried, blaming herself, apologized, and pulled her into a hug—promising to fix everything.She bit her lips, averting her gaze to the floor. “They are ugly… aren't they?” she whispered.“No, they are not,” he said quick
When her bloodline was first exposed, Selene had once talked about Brigid. The head maid was worried that the girl she took in as a daughter might be facing some challenges.“Brigid has always been the type to stay away from people. Stubborn but soft-hearted. Ever since her parents died, she’s hardly been able to get used to people. Hardly likes or lives, but once she does—she gets obsessed.”Even though Arianna had been mad about what Brigid did, for Selene's sake, she slightly understood her.Soft clicks echoed as Arianna’s boots stopped in front of the sobbing Brigid, who had her hands clamped over her ears.Nyra's words echoed in her head. Perhaps by doing this, it would set Brigid free from the cruel chain she called love and teach her to live again. That is, if she ever healed—something that might be the hardest thing to do.She had been there. Had loved wrong before. Blind to see the cracks, even when they were slightly obvious.Arianna outstretched a hand to Brigid, who slowly
Words spread—echoes of how redemption was slowly creeping into the realm. Rogues heard terrifying stories of how their own were burned alive.Greedy leaders heard how their power was slowly slipping from their grasp.The starving were surprised the soldiers were no longer lashing out at them.Shocked to find sudden grains in the home.Fear for the devious. Hope for the lost.They spoke of the Dragon Queen and her unbelievable increase in army—the one they had cast out, called the devil—had come back stronger to save them.Guilt seeped into some. The realm's eyes had cleared. They should have known people shouldn't be judged by what they are, but by what they do.Among the saved, hope stirred—perhaps Duncan Thornevale was also alive.The true guardian and ruler of the realm. They had once opposed his judgment, and now they had learned their lesson.Arianna was based in her pack, the one she had grown up in, and that’s where the people sent their gratitude.Fruits, food, expensive wine.
Brigid had seen everything. That time Toran shot Arianna from the sky—in hindsight, she had wanted to stop him. She didn’t want Toran to have Arianna’s blood on his hands. But she had frozen... and watched everything happen.Everything fall. And now, it all came back to haunt her.But nothing could have prepared her for this twisted shock. Toran hadn’t been hallucinating when he said he had seen her—the devil who came to hunt them.Arianna was alive.Or perhaps she was hallucinating too."How...?" A broken whisper left her lips."The heavens saved me," Arianna replied, stepping away from the shadows.The slow echo of her boots mingled with the soft cry of her child.Brigid didn’t move. She couldn’t. The power froze her. Emotions swirled inside her, crashing and breaking the parts of her she thought had long gone numb."Aria..." she sobbed. "I'm sorry.""Save the apologies. That’s not what I’m here for," Arianna said, crouching to her level.Those eyes held no warmth like they did seve
That night, Brigid went to visit Yvonne. The baby was asleep while the mother had just finished being treated by the palace’s head healer, who bowed and quietly left the room.“My Queen,” Yvonne said, attempting to sit up. Her face tightened as though in pain, and even though Brigid knew it was a lie, she still offered comfort.“Don’t bother. You must still be recovering.”Yvonne gave a small, awkward smile and laid back down, whispering a thank you.“I came to congratulate you. You’ve finally borne the king an heir.”“Yes, Your Highness. It... was worth the trouble.”“May I hold him?”Yvonne’s smile faltered. “Uhm... he’s asleep. Cried a lot before we could get him to settle.”“I’m good with babies,” Brigid said softly, her voice tinged with something deeper. “Even though I never got to hold mine.”Yvonne stiffened but nodded. “Sure. You can hold him.”As Brigid walked to the side, she noticed Yvonne stiffened at the corner of her eyes.Gently lifting the sleeping baby into her arms,
While Yvonne was all tensed to give Valoreth the baby to check, a knock sounded and a guard stepped in. Urgency in his voice.“My Lord. The warriors sent to the Dragon realm have returned.”Valoreth's ears perked with interest while Yvonne secretly let out a breath of relief, drawing her baby close.Without wasting a moment, Lord Valoreth left the room to meet the soldiers. His steps urgent as he made his way through corridors. He swung the door open.He expected to see Rodaric but instead met an old werewolf warrior waiting. Damaris also appeared, seeming to have rushed over as well.“Where is your commander? And why the hell did it take you guys so long?” Valoreth asked, stepping forward.“I’m sorry, your highness. They turned out to be stronger than we expected. Their goddess still has a trace of her power, even though she was frail and quite drained. We lost our commander and more than seven thousand men before we could wipe them all out,” the male Lycan warrior replied while Valo