I had thought the lady who did my hair back in the wolf's village was set in her ways. That was before I met Ethan! We nearly had a fistfight because I refused to wear the dress he had brought me! Still naked, I had wrapped myself in the covers and glared at the bright pink princess dress he dragged in. It was flashy and enormous, with gold and silver details embroidered all over the corset part. The back was open, and the cleavage deep—another dress princess dress with a ready-for-the-nightclub feeling over it. Ethan would be what we referred to as a pretty boy in my world; his face was flawless, his skin was perfect, and his brows were plucked so detailed that they could have been photoshopped right onto his face. But he looked horrified when I asked for pants and a sweater. What is wrong with this world and comfortable clothing? We compromised at the end; even if he spent the time, he did my makeup and hair, huffing and puffing like I was forcing him to wash the floor with his toot
Standing in between the fay king and Myra, I watched as each and every one of the guys stepped forward to greet me. It was an awkward ordeal, smirking, flexing their biceps. One turned around and bounced his ass up and down, while another showed off his ears like they were laced with gold. I was supposed to pick five of them, while the king picked another five. I had no idea whom to choose. No matter what the king or Myra said, I didn’t want any of them. Over half of them were still staring at Myra. Either eating her up with their stare, flirting and showing off to her, or just flat-out ogling her breast, I rolled my eyes and decided just to rip the bandage off. I need to play nice until I have a plan. You can’t risk being locked up somewhere or forcibly married off to some bulky horn dog with pointy ears. “I´ll take the half that’s not eye fucking Myra.” The king choked on whatever he was drinking, and Myra laughed. They all looked at me now. I just crossed my hands over my chest an
Toke´s POV “They broke the agreement! That’s a reason for war!!” Fury´s carnal roar coated my voice and bounced off the dark walls. Even the alpha flinched and sat back on his throne. The burning sensation rippled through my body could only be described as an incredible surge of power and rage. Like right before I shifted, but Fury held back. We balanced on the edge between our two souls and bodies. I could not explain it, but I needed her back! I needed her back now! Even the anger towards the Fay, that they broke our century-long agreement and trespassed on our lands, could not compare to that need. “Get her back, NOW!” Mom blinked, and the alpha’s jaw clenched. “I will contact their king! But it was just a girl; since nobody got her, nobody took your title away, son! Calm down!” Hearing him call her just a girl like she didn’t even matter—just a girl, a girl that didn’t matter! I couldn’t stop, not wanting to, but I couldn’t either way! Fury pushed through, not shifting form
“Straighten your back. You have a terrible posture! Draw your breath and hold your stomach.” The old lady's judgment rained over me, and I held my breath, and my nails dug into the back of the chair as she tried to squeeze my organs out with that dreadful corset. I’ve decided to play nice by the rules here, but this old hag is making it hard! “Nobody likes a woman not capable of taking care of herself! Remember, you must show yourself to be delicate, graceful, and beautiful. That’s all you have to do is suck it up! Even for a human, you are poorly maintained!” She whispered the last part, and I gritted my teeth as the corset dug into my ribs. “Be polite, interested, and smile. For goodness’ sake, smile! Not pout like a spoiled little brat!” I gasped for air just as she managed to tie shut the corsage as tight as she wanted it. That inhuman thing made it hard to breathe! It didn’t even do me any favors! I looked like a stuffed sausage! “Why? Why is all this so important? Why shoul
I buried my face in a pillow and cried. No, I screamed as loud as I could while the tears stained the pillowcase. I’ve never felt so humiliated or so on display like tonight. I was a dressed-up mare at the market! The old lady who dressed me was in the room all night, keeping an eye on me with two other servants. They stood against the wall like they were just decorations while we were eating, drinking, and discussing what could be changed with me and how much effort it would cost them. My skin was touched and smelled. I was turned around and studied from all angles. What I ate, how much, and how I ate it. How I held my glass wrong, the sips I took too big. My hair is too dry, my skin is too pale, and my eyes dull. I seemed uneducated, thin, and had a temper. My ass to flat, I’m a little too short, and my breasts could be bigger. Anger, hatred, and self-loathing swirled in my stomach. Like I was going to be sick. I never cared about others thought of me, but this was awful. They brok
Toke`s POV The old man took charge after that. The alpha in him never subdued, even if he stepped down. He sent my father to reach out to the Fae king. He was to talk to him, figure out what happened and where she was. Not under any circumstances was he to tell Eir was or could be my mate. With a wicked grin and wink, he also reminded him that he no longer had the authority to make any deals, wage war, or anything. Of course, it also has a strict message not to reveal anything about the title switch. Meanwhile, I followed behind him like an obedient little dog over to the old Volva`s tent. Yes, I said tent. I had no idea how old this woman was, but she had always been here and never wanted to switch her little tent for a house or cottage. I remember when we were young puppies, we used to bet on who dared to go closest. The hides that made her tent were dark and aged but still thick and solid. There was always smoke coming out of the top of the tipi-shaped tent, a sweet smell, and we
She had left without another word last night. I'm not sure if she finally understood. I meant every single word without even feeling bad about it or what. I peeled off the makeup layers, the dress, and that goddamned corset. It had red and sore marks on my skin next to the red stripes after the cane. I wanted to crawl under the covers and hide from the world, but I decided to regain myself. I made myself a steaming hot bath and burned away all the nasty looks. The hurtful words and shame I felt. It all followed the water down as I unclogged the bathtub. I felt better, more like myself. I was nobody’s doll, and no one, fay or not, would ever treat me as one again! I managed to calm myself with that thought, that determination. That tomorrow will be different. I’m not here to play dress-up doll; didn’t they say they needed to win my favor? Then, we need to change things a little. I slept badly. Dreams of two black wolves, one drowning in blue flames and smirking fay, flooded my head. I
Fuck, fuck! I’m an idiot! I quickly changed direction as I ran. Small branches broke over my head, and something swished through the leaves, so I stepped aside and changed directions once again. With both hands, I held up the heavy, long dress, which was already dirty and drenched in mud! Someone spilled red wine on my blouse and pants just before I went hunting. I didn't think much of it before now! My feet slid along the mud covered ground as I did my best to avoid a massive bush but ended up stumping right through it. Some small thorns ripped my skin and dress’s skirt. I pulled on it, swore, and continued. "Come out, come out wherever you are! Not so, though, now are we? " His voice rang out through the threes, followed by both of them laughing. I had looked so forward to this hunt; the sun was shining, and the birds were singing in the lush green threes as I stepped out into the thick forest. My date was waiting there, and for once, there was a genuine smile that tugged on my