Elijah led me onto a patch of hard-packed dirt, where two scarred wooden dummies stood like silent sentinels.I positioned myself, ready to focus—until a whisper of sound brushed against my ears.It wasn't just noise. It was a voice. Distant… but clear enough to make the fine hairs on my neck rise.At first, I forced myself to ignore it. But then, the words shifted, grazing against me like nails. They were talking about us. About me.I tilted my head ever so slightly, my ears sharpening to the thread of conversation. My heart tightened."Who is she again? Lady Larissa?""Yes. You're right… I heard Elijah call her that.""I've never seen her before. She's surely new around here, isn't she?""Yeah, I've never seen her either. This is the first time I've laid eyes on her. But… Why does Elijah seem so gentle and highly respectful with her?" a woman's voice murmured, almost suspicious."Maybe she's the new warrior?"A man's chuckle followed, and my pulse rushed, the scent of my own unease
Several days had passed.As usual, after Veldrin left, I was alone again in the cabin with only Ara and Suzan nearby. However, they were both tucked away in the back, absorbed in their work.The morning drifted by in silence. I sat in the living room, curled up with a history book, its ink-stained pages pulling me deep into another time. The world outside faded; there was only the story, the weight of the words, and the stillness of the air.Then, soft footsteps. Remi's voice broke the silence."My lady, good morning…"I looked up. She was smiling, but there was a certain edge in her eyes, politeness mixed with something else."Hi, morning, Remi…" I returned her smile, though I studied her a moment longer before gently closing the book resting on my lap. "I was expecting you at lunch. Why are you here early?""His Highness asked me to," she replied with her calm tone. She paused before continuing. "My lady… a visitor is asking to see you."My brow arched. Veldrin hadn't said a word
Arriving at the cabin, I frowned. Kyrex was sprawled out on the deck like he had no worries, instead of guarding my mate inside."Why are you out here? Where is she?" I asked, panic already creeping into my voice. "I'm just chilling here. I gave up trying to stop her from killing herself.""What the hell, Ky? Why would she want to kill herself?"Kyrex let out a low growl through his nose, his lips twitching into the faintest smirk as he closed his eyes like I was a nuisance. "She's hungry… and probably trying to see how many fingers she can lose in the kitchen," he replied, his tone dripping with infuriating sarcasm. "She tried to kill herself!"Usually, I'd have shot something back, but I didn't have time to appreciate his wit.I caught her scent from the kitchen and teleported straight to the doorway.There she was—behind the kitchen's island—hacking away at something with a very sharp knife, as if it were her mortal enemy. Her grip looked stiff and clumsy, her movements awkward,
That night, I went back to my grandfather's house, my steps quiet but my anger fierce. I had one goal: to confront him about what he'd done to my mate.The living room was cloaked in shadows, the air heavy and unmoving. He sat on one of the couches, his posture stiff, as though he had been waiting for me."You finally came, Veldrin…" His voice was thick, weighted with judgment, and the unspoken truth in it was clear; he disapproved of Larissa.That refusal struck a nerve, a slow burn turning into a roaring blaze inside me. This could split what little bond we had left. But it didn't matter. No one, not even him, would change what I felt for her.I didn't answer him. Instead, I stepped forward, each movement deliberate, the floor creaking under the weight of my presence. My eyes glowed brighter in the darkness, my Lycan King aura spreading through the room like an unseen tide. His pulse quickened; I could hear it.I dropped into the seat opposite him, not breaking eye contact. My sta
I sighed quietly, my gaze unfocused as past wounds haunted my mind. My chest tightened, remembering the people who had hurt me, who had betrayed me."If I get the chance, I'll do it," I murmured, trying to avoid his gaze, but he didn't let me. Staring at his eyes, I continue, "Veldrin, I just don't want them anywhere near here. I'm worried they'll try to sabotage our ceremony or destroy my reputation. I know what they're capable of."Veldrin's eyes darkened, that familiar protective fire flaring to life. Again."They won't have the chance," he said, voice deep and steady. He didn't look away from me. "Rissa, let's just forget about them for a while..." I nodded, agreeing with him. Just thinking about those vile people from the Starlight Pack was enough to drain me completely, leaving me feeling exhausted."But, Rissa... there's someone I need you to meet."Before I could even ask who, his hand came up, cupping my jaw, tilting my face toward him, his thumb brushed over my lower li
Imagining the official mate bond ritual with Veldrin, I instantly forgot everything that had happened earlier at Kaiden's place. Even though this would be my second marriage, it was the first time someone had ever performed a sacred ritual with me—the mate bond and the marking ceremony.I had never been so happy… and yet so nervous at the same time. That much was certain. My heart wouldn't settle, beating hard against my ribs like it wanted to break free.My stomach twisted at the thought of the sacred ceremony being carried out in front of a crowd, in front of all his subjects.I didn't know how many people would attend, but just imagining their eyes fixed on me was enough to make my blood run cold. My palms grew damp, and I rubbed them against my skirt, hoping the shiver running through me didn't show.'My Queen…' The words echoed in my mind, slow and heavy. My throat went dry, as if even my body was startled by that title. It didn't feel real. Not yet.Not wanting Veldrin to