ON THE NIGHT LIAM TURNED EIGHTEEN, I was standing in our room looking at myself in the mirror. I had the seamstress make me a dress similar to the red one since Lorenzo actually physically tore the old one from my body! Only this dress was a little more appropriate for the queen … For the last night, I would be walking into the ballroom as the queen.Our darling son didn’t just look like his father. He was a true carbon copy. He was kind and loving with a fire in his belly. He wanted to change the world and make things better for our kind and he loved visiting the pixies who simply loved him. Tradition dictated that Lorenzo hand over the title to Liam tonight in a small alpha-type ceremony.The big coronation was going to happen in a couple of weeks. At least the damn protocol allowed for a little time to just celebrate the fact that he was coming of age. I was sending up silent prayers all day that he would find his destined mate tonight. So, it could possibly complicate things, but
IT FELT AS IF I BLINKED AGAIN and we were standing in the front of the chapel waiting for Liam’s beautiful mate to come down the aisle. We planned their wedding in record time because there was no way those two would be able to hold out for much longer! The only reason we probably did was because Lorenzo rejected me, and I had a chaperone. I suggested it to Liam, and he nearly bit my head off!Besides, Lorenzo was already the king for a couple of years when we met, so the circumstances were different. Lorenzo slightly nudged me and I smiled at him. I found myself constantly trapped in memories over the past couple of weeks, but I just couldn’t help myself. The castle was filled with love and happiness, and I couldn’t help myself. My children’s lives have turned out so much better than I could ever have hoped for.They actually turned out far better than I ever prayed for. The bride walked down the aisle and she looked even prettier than she did at the last fitting. She curtsied in fro
I COULDN’T REMEMBER how long I had spent on the boat. I was taken from my home during the night and was now on my way to goddess knows where. The masters stormed into the omega house, and I had always wondered how they knew exactly where we were. No guards came to help us as we were ushered out of the building and into trucks. The operation to get us onto the boat seemed so damn practiced and professional that it was clear these men knew what they were doing. I wondered over the years if our pack had sold us or if they even noticed we were gone. Life on a boat wasn’t that different to life at the pack house. We were treated like possessions, but not the kind people saw as something precious. I was convinced that the pack had sold us. You see, this wasn’t the first time I had been kidnapped. I was taken from my home as a little baby. I never knew who my parents were or where I even originally came from. I grew up with the women of the omega house and none of them really took care of m
Lorenzo“ANYTHING WORTH IT TODAY?” I frowned as my beta walked into the office. I left him to buy the slaves because I just couldn’t deal with the traders any longer. It wasn’t that I didn’t want the slaves. I just hated dealing with the traders.“HA! There was this one who told me she had been kidnapped. She has spunk.” He frowned. “It’s sad that she won’t make it through the week or I would have taken her for myself.” He shrugged and, since there was nothing else to report, we turned our attention to the correspondence I had been trying to avoid all morning.After we were finally done, all I wanted to do was go upstairs, take a nice long hot shower, and crawl into bed, but I wasn’t going to be lucky enough to do that tonight. A quick shower was all I had time for before the evening’s event. I had put off finding a bride long enough and we were having yet another ball to see if I could find someone that was good enough.I met my parents in the foyer and we were announced. The smell o
LorenzoI WAS PLANNING ON SNEAKING DOWNSTAIRS and having a quick look at the girl I was told about and then joining my parents for breakfast afterwards, but as soon as she looked up, I felt a lightning bolt hit my damn heart!“Mate!” My wolf whispered before I could stop him as a growl escaped. We fought for control over my body and in my scattered state of mind, he gained control and strutted right over to where the bewildered girl was blankly blinking at us. I fought and regained control just as he gripped her wrist and she flinched.“Let go!” The girl shouted and in an instant. I could see the recognition in her eyes as they grew wider. “Mate.” She whispered, looking confused. My mind was all over the place. A slave girl couldn’t possibly become queen one day!“I, Lorenzo, king of the werewolves, hereby reject you …” I realized that I didn’t even know her name. Her eyes were filled with confusion.“Ariana,” She blinked and I could have sworn I saw sadness in her eyes for a split se
The guard gripped my arm and dragged me back to my basin. His whip came down over my back for good measure as he laughed. Walking away, he spat in my direction.“Precious little princess rejected by the king!” He laughed and I was again reminded of what had just happened. Down here as a slave we weren’t allowed to have feelings. I wasn’t allowed to mourn for the mate who didn’t want me. I had to carry on with my work as if nothing had just happened, and I did. My mind and heart were fighting over whether I should be angry or totally devastated while my body just kept on working.At lunchtime we were given barely enough time to eat the dry bread and drink our water, but at least the bread was fairly fresh and the water tasted sweet compared to what we got on the boat. What was supposed to be the best day of my life, had not even turned into the worst. It had become just another day as I got back to my station and finished the washing.That was that then, I guess. My chance for my mate
ArianaIT TOOK SOME DOING, but I escaped! I felt like sticking my tongue out at the girl who told me I couldn’t do it, but there was no time to be petty. I had to get out of the castle. Making my way down one of the many long dark passages, I ducked behind a door frame the moment I heard the familiar clang of the guards’ boots. It was a lot easier to escape than even I anticipated.In fact, it was too easy! My blood ran cold and I wondered if they would hunt me! I heard from some of the slaves on the boat over the years how some owners would let you think you escaped. They would purposefully make it easy to escape and the moment you ran, they would hunt you down like some animal. Okay, fine, so I’m a wolf, but still, who the hell would do such a thing?!!I pondered going back for a moment and then decided to let fate fall where it may. I was going to make it out even if it killed me! I wasn’t going to make it easy for them to find me! Quickly finding my way out, I sneaked out of the c
What I was about to do would probably cause huge ripples throughout the kingdom, but someone had to pay for the fact that a slave girl was my mate and that I had to reject her! Wait … I wondered for a moment if I was angry that the slave traders treated the people the way they did or if I was angry that I felt I had to reject my destined mate! Flopping into my chair, I sighed deeply and leaned back, closing my eyes.“I’m sorry, my king, but they’ve already left.” Luc’s frustrated voice penetrated my ears. He was my oldest and dearest of friends and I was being unfair to him. What was happening wasn’t his fault. What was happening was the moon goddess’s damn fault! She destined me to a slave girl when she should have given me a strong alpha princess! I stood up and nodded.“Do you know when they will come back?” I sighed, trying to sound calmer than I felt and he hummed and ha-ed. I knew he couldn’t really tell me. It could be months, even years before they return. Did I risk going aft