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To live or to love 19
19.Carissa's smile faltered slightly before she quickly recovered. "Oh, that's wonderful news, my son! Congratulations! What is her name? What is she like?" she asked eagerly.Derek couldn't help but notice the fake enthusiasm in his mother's voice. "Her name is Aurora, and she's amazing," he replied, trying to keep his own hurt feelings at bay.The Queen nodded, a forced smile on her face. "I'm glad you found someone who makes you happy. You deserve it," she said, trying to sound as loving as possible.Derek looked at his mother and took a deep breath. "Mother, I'm sorry I kept you in the dark about joining with my mate," he said. "It was done in a hurry because only then could we work towards getting the antidote.""The antidote?" his mother asked, confusion etched on her face. "I don't understand. How is your mate related to the antidote?"Derek looked around the room, making sure no one was listening. He then moved closer to his mother's cage and whispered, "The antidote is
To live or to love 20
They had gathered around the roaring bonfire, the flames casting flickering shadows across the faces of the werewolves gathered there. Magnus, the alpha, had provided a great bounty for the feast that evening. A whole tiger had been roasted over the fire, its flesh sizzling and its scent filling the air.They lounged on furs that had been spread out around the bonfire, their bellies full of the succulent meat that had been cooked to perfection over the flames.Magnus had always been a generous leader, sharing the bounty of his weekly hunts with the villagers that surrounded their pack's territory. The bonfire ceremony was always celebrated with great fanfare whenever Magnus returned from his hunts with such a great prize.The people chattered and laughed, their merriment buoyed by the plentiful supply of ale that had been provided for the occasion. They regaled each other with stories of their own hunts, boasting about the prey they had brought down and the battles they had fought.Th
To live or to love 21
Masai, an old woman who had watched Aurora grow up as a child, sat at a table near the front of the room, surrounded by other elders from Aurora's hometown. Despite her age, Masai was still sharp-witted and full of energy, and she was a beloved figure in the community.Masai bowed deeply to Aurora, causing everyone to pause and turn their attention to her. "My dear Aurora," she said, "I am honored to be in your presence once again." Aurora stood up from her seat and approached the old woman, embracing her warmly. ""Please, Masai, you don't have to bow," Aurora said, standing up from her seat. "Please sit down."Masai smiled warmly at Aurora and shook her head. "I must show respect to my lady," she said. "But forgive me, my leg has been giving me trouble lately."“Oh my, your leg! Does it still hurt so much? I remember you used to complain of aches. Should I have it checked with the royal physicians? At keast before you return home.”Masai waved her hand dismissively. "No, no, my d
To live or to love 22
Aurora stormed into her room in shock, her heart racing with adrenaline. She quickly shut the door behind her and locked it, taking deep breaths to calm herself down. Her hands were shaking as she reached up to remove the metal wheel that she had used to veil her face. The wheel had been a desperate measure, but it had worked, allowing her to blend in with the other maids and sneak into the Queen's Chambers undetected.As she pulled off the wheel, her long golden hair tumbled down around her shoulders. She quickly shed the maid's clothing she had been wearing, tossing them into a corner of the room. She needed to rid herself of any evidence that might lead back to her.Aurora sat on her bed, her mind racing as she tried to process everything she had just seen. The image of the queen and princess locked in cages was burned into her mind, and she couldn't shake the feeling of shock and horror that filled her. She had always known that something was off about the Royal Arena, but she ha
To live or to love 23
Hand-in-hand, they walked…The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the sandstone walls and arches. Aurora suddenly stopped in her tracks and gasped. Derek looked at her curiously, wondering what had caught her attention. He followed her gaze to her index finger, where she had just made a beautiful yellow butterfly sit kn her index finger.It was a delicate and vibrant creature, with wings that were a bright, lemony yellow hue. Its wings were adorned with intricate patterns of black lines and dots, creating a stunning contrast against the yellow background.As the butterfly rested on Aurora's finger, she could see that its wings were thin and almost translucent, allowing the sunlight to filter through and create a soft, warm glow around the insect. The butterfly's body was small and slender, with black antenna protruding from its head, twitching slightly as it sensed its surroundings.The butterfly's wings were slightly tattered, suggesting that it had lived a full life and had
To live or to love 24
The time finally came wgen Aurora and Derek had to visit Aurora's hometown in her pack per the customs— she had to visit her hometown with her mate and they had to spend a few days with her family, meaning she'd not be returning as a spinster. They journeyed with a few companions with them, who were there to ensure their safety and provide any necessary assistance during the journey. The journey from the Royal Arena to the Blood Moon Pack was long and would take a few days to complete. As they began their journey, they travelled on horseback, riding their trusted steeds through the winding paths and scenic routes of the land. Aurora rode on a magnificent white mare, while Derek rode on a strong black stallion. They rode side by side, their horses' hooves clattering on the dirt road. The scenery around them was breathtaking. Rolling hills and vast meadows stretched out as far as the eye could see, dotted with the occasional farmhouse or small village.Their companions travelled in c
To live or to love 25
As they arrived at Magnus's grand domain, Aurora couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with nostalgia. It was the same place she grew up and had always called home before being sent to the Scorpion Zeal pack in matrimony. She had been gone for so long and now she was back, this time with her mate by her side.The feast was in full swing, the aroma of delicious food and the sound of drums and music filling the air. The guests were all seated on mats laid out in a large clearing in the middle of the domain. The alpha Magnus was seated at the head of the table, with his wife by his side. Aurora and Derek were seated next to them, with the other guests arranged around the table.As they ate and drank, Aurora caught the admiring glances of the guests around them. It was clear that they were impressed with her mate, Derek, who was a dashing and handsome man. She smiled to herself, happy that her people had accepted her mate despite the long-standing enmity between their packs.Suddenly, the dr
To live or to love 26
The morning air was crisp and cool, with a slight breeze blowing through the trees. The sun was just starting to peek over the horizon, casting long shadows across the grassy plains they rode through. The sound of hooves hitting the ground echoed through the stillness, punctuated by the occasional chirp of a bird or rustle of leaves.Magnus and Derek rode on their horses, flanked by two of Magnus' men. The air was crisp and cool, and the only sounds were the clopping of the horses' hooves and the rustle of the wind in the trees. Derek felt tense and uneasy, knowing that Magnus was not only his potential future father-in-law but also his enemy's enemy.They rode in silence for what seemed like an eternity, neither man willing to break the ice. Derek could feel Magnus' eyes on him, scrutinizing him. He shifted uncomfortably in his saddle, trying to shake off the feeling of being watched.Finally, Magnus spoke up. "So, Derek, how long have you known my daughter?"Derek cleared his throat
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