Nadia didn’t wait any longer. She turned to leave but then spotted Valkyrie’s personal tall guard in the distance. His gaze was unreadable as it stayed fixed on Nadia, seeming to communicate something silently through their eyes.Nadia walked toward him with her head lowered, and then she disappeared from sight.Arianna’s gaze remained intensely focused on the guard as he turned to leave. She noticed his right wrist was missing—the same hand that bastard used to hit her back then.The thought of Nadia lingered in her mind as Arianna waited for Nyra to return with her sister.Soon, they came. A small smile graced Arianna’s lips as her eyes met Lylah’s."I’m sorry I sent you away. It wasn’t your fault," Arianna apologized after explaining everything Selene had told her three days ago. She didn’t mention Eryndor or the fact that Selene was an Ouroboros too. "You were simply doing what our parents said, and you were only ten. I should thank you for not treating me differently, despite kn
"Is my lady going anywhere today?" Nyra inquired as she helped Arianna brush her hair.Despite Arianna insisting she could do it herself, Nyra declined, stating that the King had commanded her to take care of Arianna to the fullest."No," Arianna replied in a flat tone, her expression slightly dull. "I'll stay in my room. Alone."Nyra looked at her through the mirror, her face etched with concern."Is my lady troubled? I can tell you stories to lighten your mood," she offered gently."That’s sweet of you, Nyra. But no, I want to be alone," Arianna insisted politely, and Nyra relented, continuing to brush her hair in silence.The day passed slowly. Arianna waited, mind rehearsing what she would say once the King asked. However, King Duncan seemed quite busy with the Grand Festival, which was now only five days away.Another layer of anxiety settled in Arianna’s heart—something she hoped to discuss with him. She had practiced every word over and over, phrasing it in a way that wouldn’t
"Where were you?"Just that one question shattered the final thread Arianna had been holding onto—the last bit of strength keeping her from breaking under the weight of everything she had just learned.Her breath hitched, and her heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst through her chest. She couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes.Not because of the King's commanding presence, but because of how cruel the heavens had been to her."I..." Her lips trembled, barely forming the word.Where could she even begin?That she was born out of wedlock, a product of lust under a full moon.That her biological mother was Drakora, who hated her from the moment she was born?That everything she believed growing up was a lie?That her Ouroboros side was mated to King Duncan—who hated that bloodline and might end her for it?The thought of it reminded her of Kael's betrayal—a mate who had merely used her and ordered her death without batting an eye.The thought of King Duncan possibly doing
Arianna yanked her arm away when Selene tried to hold her. "If you're being clear, you want me to leave everything behind and go beyond the moon realm to meet Drakora?""Yes, to meet your mother and stay with her. And you must do it now.""Why should I trust you?" Arianna's eyes squinted, then she turned her head to a particular painting. It was Drakora yelling at Selene, who was holding a baby-her."You said Drakora wanted me to stay with my father. But this painting shows she was disgusted, angry, and regretful." She returned her gaze to Selene. "She doesn't want me."Selene shook her head. "That is not true...""You said you'll tell me everything." Arianna took one step closer. "If you don't, I won't trust you."____'Something is missing. Something is missing in me, Selene, and it's because of her! I shouldn't have given birth. Why? How could I have a child with one of the Moon Realm?! Why?!''Take her away, Selene. I don't want to see her! She has her father's eyes; she looks not
FLASHBACK"What do you mean, Thane? What do you mean that our first child died that night and you replaced her with the one you had with a silver-haired woman that saved your life in a war?" Ramona cried in tears."I'm sorry, I just didn't want you to feel depressed about losing our first child. I had no choice..." Alpha Thane gently held her shoulder. "I didn't want you to get hurt."Ramona yanked her arm away, her eyes blazing. "And then you bought the child of a woman you slept with while we were still considering courting?""She saved my life, and I didn't know what I was thinking. It was a full moon. I hadn't been mated to you back then, Mona. I'm sorry. I love you... I'm so sorry. It's in the past, and I just thought it was high time you knew the truth.""You could have told me! Do you think I'll treat her differently if I had known the truth?!" She made to leave, but Thane held her, pulling her into an embrace."I know, I just didn't want to hurt you. Please understand, wife. T
Many things had shock Arianna ever since she had came to this palace, but none was as insane as this.Selene, sneaking her out of the Citedal walls. This head maid had passed through passages she never thought existed.Selene told her, the Lycan had built this passage centuries ago and it was forgotten.Arianna had more questions but her mouth snapped shut when Selene led her to a huge tree, pulling a laver. The huge tree's root opened up, revealing stairs that lead to an underground cave."Follow me" Selene light a touch, the fire casting a warm glow that cut through the thick darkness. "Your answers are down here, come with me."Arianna took a deep breath, before following her in. Selene led her down the stairs, they footsteps echoing the spaced. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Arianna halt her track, feeling the strange flow of air. There was something else here. The glowing fire, slightly revealed its shadow."Madam Selene" Arianna called in an hush voice.Instantly, the ligh
"Aria!" Lylah ran to hug Arianna tightly the moment Nyra brought her to her new room—a room connected directly to the King's chamber but with its own space and privacy.The room was larger, comfortably filled with silken sheets, a grand fireplace, and clothing not meant for a servant."Aww... I've missed you," Arianna said, breaking the hug with her sister, her soft laughter mingling with Lylah's own."Me too." Lylah's eyes teared up, and Arianna cupped her face."What is it?""You scared me," Lylah admitted in a cracking voice, and Arianna hugged her again."I'm sorry I couldn't tell you. I just... I didn’t want to burden you.""I thought you said you wouldn’t keep anything away from me?" Lylah muffled against her chest."I won’t."It was dark outside as Lylah sat beside Arianna, listening to her stories. It broke her heart, but somehow, she was glad that things seemed to be looking a little better."I haven't seen Mistress Valkyrie, but Brigid mentioned she hasn't left her chamber a
She pulled closer, melting in Duncan's arms like ice placed beside a burning fire. Slowly shutting her eyes, she responded to the lips pressed against hers.She trailed her hands up to his neck, wrapping them possessively around him while Duncan pulled her impossibly closer, his warmth seeping through her skin.Duncan's tongue found hers, tangling and playing with it. She moaned sweetly into his mouth, the sound driving him wild.After a while, he pulled away.Both breathless. Heart pounding against their chest.Duncan reached for her face, gently pressing his thumb against her slightly swollen, wet lower lip.Her eyes swirled with desire, as if she wanted more, and he wanted nothing more than to take her back to his chamber and fuck the day and night out of her.But Selene had mentioned she was still exhausted from the full-moon-long fuck and needed to rest.Duncan kept his burning need in check."It shouldn’t taste this good. Why does it taste so good?" he whispered in a husky voice
YARDAt the center of the yard, swords clashed against each other, sparks flying with every strike.The fight was intense—deadly and bone-chilling—but in the eyes of the two men involved, it felt like child’s play.Duncan swung his sword with precision, his movements effortless, as if the blade weighed no more than a feather.Lucas had a smile on his face. It had been a long time since he’d sparred with this man.The fact that Duncan was fighting him today meant he was in a good mood. A really good mood.“So, is she the one?” Lucas asked between heavy breaths as they took a break. “Your mate?”After taking a sip of water, Duncan cleared his throat. “Yes… and no.”Lucas’s smile dropped. “Are you serious right now? Don’t start with your mind games.”Duncan’s lips tugged slightly. “Last night, we had a connection. Like a string tying us together. She felt like the one, but I still need to be sure. I need to get closer. My Lycan hasn’t declared her as his mate yet.”“What? Are you kidding