I woke up with the first rays of sunlight coming in through the window. But I also hadn’t slept for most of the night, partly because I had no experience on the high seas, and the rocking of the ship was not doing well to my stomach, and partly also because my mind was over-thought. And all facing a certain commander. I had the feeling that I was acting like an idiot, and it hurt my pride.I got out of bed, and when I washed and dressed decently, I started thinking about the scene last night. How had Lina stopped in Dimitri’s bed? He was so... immoral.Then I heard light knocks on the door, so soft that I thought I was imagining things. But then someone knocked again, and my heart jumped irrationally. Because I couldn’t be the commander, he wouldn’t be so gentle... Battery?I got up and opened the door. Standing with her gaze on the floor, was Lina, her hands were crossed in front of her small body, and she made a rather shy curtsy, muttering a "Good morning, Your Highness" to me.I si
— An all-girls meeting! — Dimitri pronounced at the door.— What do you want, Dimitri? — I asked harshly.He sighed and his eyes rested on Lina. Her gaze at Lina was sympathetic, but after they turned to me, they were cold.— John is on deck waiting for you, since you didn’t show up for breakfast.— How surprising, Dimitri Sidorov, the errand boy! — I spoke, standing up.Dimitri made a face and out of the corner of his eye, I saw Lina smile.— I didn’t come here just to deliver a message from your precious owner, I was coming here anyway.— He does not own me. — I replied, very offended.— Whatever! I came to give you some information because you stopped John from killing me.I raised an eyebrow, remembering his confident words that his brother would not kill him.— But what a surprise, I remember you saying he wouldn’t kill his little brother. — I remembered his words, trying to imitate his confident voice of the occasion.He snorted, looking impatient and angry. Oh, if only I could
The wind blew hard on my face, my hands were sweaty on the ship’s wall, my front on the horizon began to appear the first lights of sunrise, and with it the imposing view of Corvo Island.John was beside me on the deck, his eyes fixed on the majestic point that was the island.Captain Page gave his orders to his crew, Dimitri was nowhere in sight, I did not regret it, but when I looked at Lina, I saw that she was sorry.The ship Serpent of the sea docked on the Island of the raven, when we got off the ship saw several men waiting for us, they were all tall and strong, when they saw John greeted him respectfully, looked around and saw Dimitri disembark, he did not accompany us to the castle, John told me that only the servants and the pack lived in the castle.I felt a twinge of empathy for Dimitri, he wasn’t part of the pack, according to what Lina had told me, and the only thing I knew was that he was a bastard, werewolf son, but he wasn’t a werewolf.We went to the castle in a carr
— Helena this is Leon Kane. — Introduced the commander, and it was then that the man turned his gaze from Lina to me. His reddish-brown eyes stared at me completely empty, seemed not to notice me. He unlike James didn’t smile at me. — Madam, welcome. — he said in a distant voice. So without saying another word, and with one last empty look at Lina, who was next to me, he left in stride. — Did I offend you? — I asked confused. — I fear I am the target of your displeasure, Your Highness. — replied Lina, blushing terribly. The air between the four of us became extremely embarrassing and tense, and I did not understand the reason. James clears his throat and says: — Lina, take Helena to see her quarters. Lina nodded and went to the huge staircase, I took one last look at John, who smiled at me, encouraging me to follow Lina, James Turner waved offering a warm smile. I followed Lina down the stone steps until I reached a huge corridor. There were hundreds of doors wit
I spent the rest of the day practically sleeping. After Lina left other servants served me lunch, and after days on a ship, I lay down on a soft bed that did not move. It was a real relief. I had a few hours until the alpha’s homecoming dance, which Lina said I would meet the rest of the commander’s Pack. When I woke up it was already night, the moon rose high in the sky, and fortunately it was not a full moon. I woke up with Lina’s beats, looking urgent. I got up and opened the door, she made a gesture, I was looking at myself feeling uncomfortable as she bowed. — Lina, enough of these miseries, I’m no longer in Shivia, and I’m a Chase now. — I said. She looked at me surprised, but nodded. I could not convince all the servants, but at least Lina would listen to me, she rushed in, and behind her several maids, and it was a real uproar. The return dance of the Alpha’s return with his wife was already close to beginning, Lina wished to come earlier, but according to her
I fell back before the commander, who increasingly lost his human appearance, resembling a giant wolf much more than a man, so Henry’s cry stood out louder than all those angry voices. — JOHN IS NOT THOMAS! — Said Henry kneeling before the body. — It’s a Exchanger. — Derek added. All agitated glances turned to the inert body on the floor, before our eyes "Thomas" was metamorphosing into a completely different man. Starting with his skin that took on a gray color, his body was of a young man, he was with open mouth revealing sharp teeth, his eyes were black, and he had long black hair that went up to his back, when he fell to the ground, a silver dagger fell next to him, shining. I looked at the commander who gradually contained his transformation, he looked at me, and I could see pain in his eyes. I was still sitting on the floor, paralyzed with all that, then I felt hands lift me up, and when I looked back I saw Lina with her reassuring gaze. — Get her out. NOW! — the c
When I closed the door I leaned my back against the heavy wood, and waited. As I imagined your heart rate increased. I remembered his gray eyes when he revealed his motivation, and how his heart remained calm during his speech, and now he was racing. I had lived too long with liars to know when they were telling me lies, and no doubt Helena was lying to me, and I didn’t know why. For sure the princess did not trust me to reveal her secrets, and I could not blame her, considering my reaction in the Great Hall. When I remembered myself turning into a wolf... the anger that involved me...was that already beginning? I took a deep breath trying to clear my mind, I couldn’t worry about it now, I needed to focus on immediate problems. — John? I looked up, and saw James standing in front of me. — They are all in your room, waiting for the advice of the Alpha... — informed and saw the tone of disapproval in his voice. James was always rational and logical, a practical man, he
I walked from side to side, my heart racing. My sweating hands and the room though huge seemed to get smaller with every step I took, days had passed since the night of the Changing, as far as I knew Dimitri and Mr. Leon had gone to rescue Mr. Sallow. Lina explained to me about the war of the Minkovis Secret Order, very effective assassins, I had no more foreboding since that night, and John avoided me as if I were the devil. The door opened and Lina came in. — Ah! Lina! — Madam is not a good idea. — she said. Tomorrow morning the elders would arrive, and I would be introduced to them, but before that I had to go to the temple, find the priestess of which Dimitri spoke, Whatever was happening to me I didn’t trust that elders who decreed the death of women they thought had cunning powers could help me, I needed to see the priestess. — Lina today is Full Moon, it’s the perfect distraction! — I spoke and walked to her, I was very agitated. She sighed and looked at me. — But madam