Chapter 27 Celene's pov The cold yet familiar voice sent a chill down my spine like it always did, Valerie sat regally on her throne— my father's throne, as she looked down at me. “Step Mother i…” “Save your excuses Celene I do not need them, it seems you have grown too big for your gowns since you believe you will soon be married. Or do you think yourself better than us?” My heart pounded as a deep feeling of fear churned in the deeper parts of my stomach, This was the Valerie I knew, she had always made me feel smaller than I was, It was a favorite pastime for her, yet I still haven't gotten used to it, she would wheedle and prodded until I felt stupid and unwanted and when I turned towards my father for help he would look at me blankly before excusing himself. With Alpha Mondrain's arrival and his interference, she had laid low and I had forgotten her bullying ways, but the good thing only lasted for a while it seemed, I bowed my head as I answered her. “I apologize stepmothe
Chapter 28 Valerie pov What am I doing here? I wondered as I watched the chaos unfold. How did I get so low as to be reduced into nothing but an errand girl, to be ordered by a man? My kingdom hijacked, and my authority questioned. I seethed in disgust as I settled into my seat waiting for this all to be over. “My lady are you all right, do you perhaps need anything? Alpha Mondrian was too harsh.” Talia my long-time aid and closest companion whispered to me, her voice tainted with worry. I waved at her to assure her, “I am fine. Don't worry too much about it, soon it will be over and he will be gone. When did the other party say they would be leaving?” I questioned, as I tried to drown the argument already heated. Talia hesitated in her speech her eyes widened, as an annoying scream of ‘No’ resounded round the hall, I frowned as I turned towards her, “Ignore them. Tell me. Has there been any news ?” “My..my..lady…” The frightened girl, stuttered as she tried to ignore the hea
Chapter 29 Celene pov The moment I stepped out the door, I turned towards a corner I rarely ventured the guard house, I had chosen this part mainly because Mondrian wouldn't think to follow me, and partly because a small garden lay between the two buildings gave me time and opportunity to do what I had In mind.As we trudged deeper into the forage, Christoff's soft groans of pain resounded in my ears, as he tried to speak, “Th… tha..nk you Ce…ce I knew you.... do the r.. right thing.”I ignored his words until we got deep enough to be far from prying ear, I slowed down, and Christoff's groans grew louder, as I rolled my eyes at his poor display before he could start another tirade of thanks I shrugged him away.“Get off me, Christoff.” He stumbled away, a look of confusion clouding his eyes, as he moved back, “ I know you were pretending. There's no need to do that anymore. I'll be leaving now.”My cheeks puffed unwilling to spout my displeasure, Christoff squeaked as he ran to b
Chapter 30 Mondrian “Celene I beg of you, listen to…” The bang of the giant oat door, hitting its frame told me all I needed to know. Firstly Celene was angry the second she was gone. The woman set to be my bride was gone, and with her a man I was beginning to wonder why I hadn't removed him from the picture long ago. I ran a hand through my face as I wondered how it came to be like this, how could I have been so stupid as to fight over her choices? I needed to make things right. As I readied myself to warp into time, ready to go after her. My senses urged me to move and yet I remained where I stood. Did she want me to? Wouldn't she hate me more if I simply ignored her request? Amidst my dilemma, the thuds of feet remind me of the people I had ignored, I turn to find the servants, helping each other up, many still pale from my burst of Aura, my eyes soon clash with a pair of violets that seemed mostly unaffected, I felt a flush of annoyance as Valerie's eyes crinkled, her li
Chapter 31 Authors POV “What are you saying, Alpha Mondrian?” The shrill cry of Ella echoed through the shrubbery forcing Mondrian to wince. “I thought you loved her and wanted her for yourself, why do you want me to kill her?” An angry scoff resounded, as Mondrain, moved towards Ella, a disapproving glare etched on his face. “Of course I love her. When I say attack her I don't mean hurt her.” He spat, shaking the shivering girl, “ The plan is simple, you are to pretend to cause problems for her so I can save her, when that happens she will surely feel grateful to me, giving me enough time to spend with her and get her to be mine.” “What?” Ella asked incredulously at the Alpha's offer, she looked up at the Alpha, staring to see how serious he was, “ Alpha Mondrian surely you can't be serious. You want me to stage attacks on your bride to make her fall for you. Is that the only plan you could come up with?” Mondrain bubbled with anger as Ella looked him up and down with a pityi
Chapter 32 Ella I sat heavily on the thorny grass spread beneath the dense trees, my heart pounding like the heavy rain that had started to fall. Every beat echoed in my chest, a painful reminder of the decision I had made, with Alpha Mondrian. His words played over and over in my mind, twisting my thoughts into a tangled mess. “Just fake a few attacks,” he had said, his voice smooth and persuasive. “It’ll be easy. You’ll be helping me, and in return, Christoff will come back to you. Celene won’t know what hit her. She’ll start looking at me, and soon enough, Christoff will be out of her life. It's a win-win” I wanted to believe him. I had to believe him. But deep down, doubts festered. Would Christoff really turn back to me if Celene fell for Mondrian? Or was I only fooling myself, grasping at the thin threads of hope left in the aftermath of Christoff’s terrible behavior toward me? My heart screamed for me to take the chance, to do whatever it took to have him back. But my min
Chapter 33 Ella “W..hat?” As I stumbled back a wave of pain wreaked through me, I had never felt so exposed, so raw and vulnerable, as though every emotion I’d kept buried was now on display for Christoff to see. “ Christoff please, I love you,” I began, my voice shaking. “I’ve always loved you. I would do anything for you, anything to make you happy. Please, just…give me a chance. Don't do this to me, I can be the mate you need, I swear it. Please no..” I begged as I fell on my knees, I grabbed onto Christoff's legs, hoping to gain some sympathy. But he didn’t care, he coffee as he looked down at me, like I was nothing more than an irritating insect, crushing every bit of hope I had been clinging to. “What's this?,” he drawled, as a sinister look smeared his face, “I don’t know how to make this any clearer, Ella,” Christoff said, his voice hard, unfeeling, “I already told you before I don't want you Ella it's, Celene that I want.” Tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to
Chapter 34 Mondrian I slammed my fist into the reinforced sandbag again, harder this time, feeling the satisfying thud reverberate up my arm. The gym was empty, just the way it should be since I had ordered it made just for me, the echoes of my punches filled up the vast space. As sweat dripped down my face, my punches grew harder. My frustration had been building all through the week, from running after Celene, the pent-up sexual rage didn't help either. The thud of my hand-hitting bag grew louder and I couldn’t shake the restlessness that clung to me almost like a second skin. It was always there these days—the urgency, the gnawing anxiety that time was slipping away. Each punch was a reminder of the clock ticking down, my time coming to an end. I growled low in my throat, as I delivered a savage uppercut that sent the sandbag swinging wildly. I braced for the next hit when my phone vibrated on the nearby bench. Without stopping, I glanced over, expecting it to be another triv
106 Celene I stalked out of the gym, my head pounding with words I wanted to say to Mondrian, words I was sure I would regret. Alera my wolf remained silent, but I could feel her nervousness within me. She too had been hurt by Mondrian's actions and she couldn't understand why he had done such a thing, after all his pursuit. A part of me wanted to ask why wanted to fall on my knees begging and screaming, wanted to listen to his explanations, but another part of me, the pride and ego refused. It was angry at his actions, his disregard for my body. With an angry growl I kicked up the dust before me, when that didn't calm my anger I stamped my feet into the dirt a couple more times When my head finally clears I realize, where I am standing, looking up I see the big wooden door, beautifully carved with the encryption ‘library’ sprawled before me. Heaving a sigh, I walked into the room, with thousands of books calling my name. My fingers trailed over the spines of the books, my mind
Chapter 105 Mondrian I watched as Celene walked away, her posture stiff, her head held high, but I knew better. She was hurt and it was all my fault. I could understand her pain, after her countless refusals, I knew how it felt to be rejected by someone made for you. My eyes followed the swaying of her hip as I stood stuck deep in thought. My brows scrunched in a frown, my mind spinning as a war raged inside me, each side pulling me in opposite directions. I wanted to run after her, to explain why I had done what I did, to beg her to understand, but what was the point? What would change? Without evidence, it would just be empty words and broken promises. No. I couldn't waver now. I wanted her to see the man I was becoming for her love. But still, her dismissal rubbed me the wrong way, and I didn't know how to go about my feelings. I scoffed at my worries, who would believe that I, Lycan Mondrian king of a thousand pack had been tamed by a feisty woman? I clenched my fists,
104 Mondrian Alex left with a huff, glaring at me as he made his way out. “Calm down Alpha.” he urges walking away. At the slam of the door, I flicked the files arranged on my desk away, but my chest heaving. Minutes passed and I was still riled up, I knew I needed to get some air, anything to calm down. Heading for the garden, I stopped at Celene's favorite spot, my mind weighing heavily on me when I overheard some voices. They belonged to Ethan and Daniel, guards of the pack, I am about to snap at them when I hear Celene’s name curious I listen in. “Did you see that fight, Daniel? I mean it was crazy!!” “Yeah, who would have thought Pecan that crazy woman would have her arse beat.” “That's exactly my thoughts. I never knew Princess Celene had it in her. She always looked so meek.” “Of course, she can't be meek, she's the Alpha, Luna to be. She has to have a hidden power right.” “You are so right any one the Lycan king chooses has to be extraordinary. I can't wait for
Chapter 103 MONDRIAN P.O.V “ I can’t believe you disobeyed my order Celene, I asked you to stay in your room, and not to go out training, but I find you having a one-on-one match with Pecan?” “How could you defy me, woman”. I asked angrily. “You do not defy me, “I am your alpha”. I said, shaking her, I was so enraged that I could not see the fear in her eyes or the way she was trembling when I touched her. Maybe I had been too harsh on her, she just turned, and that alone can be overwhelming, i was about to apologize to her when she flared up, “How dare you Mondrian, You treat me like I am some kind of weakling,” “I am your mate, I should be able to protect you and this pack in the best way possible.” “And if you, my alpha and mate, can't see this, then what am I doing here?” She retorted. Didn’t see that coming, this Woman has got some guts, Not many people could talk back to me, after the manner and way I spoke. I was impressed, it means she cannot be pushed around ea
102 Celene Pecan's eyes gleamed with triumph as she stepped back, gesturing toward the sparring ring. “Finally. Let’s see what you’re made of.” As I followed her to the circle, my heart pounded in my chest. I knew this was a bad idea, but I couldn’t back down now. I had to prove, if not to Pecan, then to myself, that I wasn’t weak. The soldiers around us stopped what they were doing, turning to watch as Pecan and I squared off. One of them moved to say something, but Pecan turned him away, warning them all to back off, before turning towards me. She looked confident, her posture relaxed, while I felt the weight of pity eyes on me, judging me before I’d even begun. “Ready?” Pecan asked, her smirk never fading. I nodded, swallowing hard. “Good. Let’s see if last night wasn't a fluke.” The moment Pecan lunged at me, I realized just how unprepared I was. Her movements were quick, precise, and entirely too confident. Truly worthy of being one of Mondrian's most revered warriors, I
101 Celene The thoughts of the previous night kept replaying in my head, couldn’t stop replaying the moment in my mind. Mondrian walked away from me, his face a myriad of emotions that I could place, walking away from me after that hug that left me wanting him to stay, yet too embarrassed to do anything. What was that all about? It wasn’t like him to act so cold, Mondrian always made sure to savor every single moment of our time together. That hug should have lasted for quite a while before breaking it with a kiss. Although I tried not to think too deeply about his actions, I couldn't help but feel his walking away had to do with the promise he had made to me. Did he not want to do it or was he having second doubts? The thought ate at me all night. Twisting and turning in bed all night, pulling the blanket tighter, then throwing it off entirely. Sleep eluded me no matter what I did or how hard I tried. My mind kept circling back to him— his expression, him walking out without so
100 Mondrian I stepped into my office to find Alex my beta and best friend waiting for me, his arms folded and his face set in his usual calm and unreadable expression. Although It was his usual look, but something about it annoyed me. Maybe it was the tension in the air, or maybe it was the way my own guilt over Celene—walking away from her—still clung to me like a heavy cloak. Either way, I wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries. “Alex,” I greeted curtly, nodding as I took my seat at the head of the desk. "Alpha," he responded, his tone even, but I caught the flicker of Amusement in his eyes. He knew something. Before I could say anything more, Arlen walked in, his boots clicking against the floor as he joined us. His young face showed none of the excitement he usually eluded instead the shadows under his eyes and the way he sighed told a different tale. It was not surprising, considering the mission I’d sent him on. "Arlen," I said, leaning forward. "Any News young one? Are t
99 Mondrian “What the heck was that?” Zara’s sharp voice followed me as I turned towards the stairs leading to my office. “Do you even realize how harsh you were?” she asked, walking in tandem with me, arms placed hastily on her hips. I stopped mid-step and turned to her, my jaw tightening. “I was harsh for a good reason.” My voice was cold and fiand rm, Zara’s eyes held mine, “She disobeyed me, Zara. She could’ve gotten hurt or worse.” “She didn’t, though,” she countered, her voice calm but firm, her arms crossed across her chest. “And yelling at her like that isn’t going to make her listen to you. If anything, you’re just going to push her further away. I thought you wanted her to fall for you. This isn't the way Mondrian.” Her words hit me like a blow to the chest. I hated to admit it, but she was right. The look on Celene’s, face when I had scolded her—hurt, betrayed, and shocked kept replaying in my mind. It made me feel sick to my stomach. The thought of Celene shifting
98 Celene I stared at her, my hand still raised, my chest heaving. The energy I’d felt when I had merged with Alera surged through me, I could feel the electric tension as my hands trembled from the rush. What the heck was that? My mind whirling as It struggled to process what had just happened. Pecan’s stunned face didn't change as she stared at me, and I couldn’t shake the image of her flying. Albeit satisfying that should have been impossible, I shouldn't be able to do that…not with Pecan who had a place in Mondrian's army, rumors about her slaying mountains of men had welcomed me on my very first day, despite her nasty attitude, she was someone Mondrian had acknowledged and I had thrown her with a flick of my wrist. The hallway grew eerily silent, for a second it all felt like a dream, but my heartbeat pounded loudly in my ears telling a different tale. Then, out of nowhere, Zara appeared, her face full of worry as she hurried toward me. “What happened? I heard a scream,” s