Chapter 39 Celene I walked along the familiar trail, as I breathed in the cool evening air letting the forest embrace me in its quiet. This was one of my many forms of escape, the familiar woods remained one of the places where I could find some peace, away from the chaos of that was my life. Away from the nosiness of Mondrian. As the sun began to wane my footsteps never faltered, I could always find my way no matter the time, a testament to how often I trailed this part. I force myself not to think about the other places I had once found peace, spoilt by one man—rather long-lived Lycan. Mondrian had found them all, I wasn't bothered by his persistence to get acquainted, but rather his insistence on saving me from myself that greatly annoyed me. My lips pursed as flashes of our conversation replayed. Who did he think he could save me? Why did he feel like I needed saving? Despite him not knowing anything he continued to forge on, putting me in danger. What would happen if
Chapter 40 Mondrian pov “Damn it all to hell,” I cursed out into the dark, as flashes of green flitted through my eyes, as I hurried towards the location of the noise. Although Ella has sent the location of the ambush, on my arrival I had met no one, annoyance flooded my vein at her mistake. I rushed towards the clearing overhead, hoping that I was not too late. The moment I saw her, something snapped inside me. My nose flared as the scent of blood hit me, and my eyes locked on Celene, sprawled on the forest floor, her hand pressed to her side. The sight of her injury—a deep, purple bleeding gash, sent a wave of rage crashing over me. My vision blurred at the edges, fury boiled in my veins, as the group of werewolves looked on, scared. My teeth bared instinctively, the wolf in me clawed to the surface. “How dare you” I snarled, the words dripping with venom. A burly man, with a scar on his face stepped forward,hands up,with fear written on his face, “We didnt—” I dont wa
Chapter 41 Celene pov “Argh I am so tired nikka,” my screams are muffled by my pillow, as I grieve over the past week's incident, “Each day grows more exhausting from the last. I just can't deal. I don't think I even want to leave my room ever again.” A soft chuckle escaped the speaker of my phone, as Nikka my one and only friend who had managed to escape this pack when she got mated to an Alpha said, ” Come on, it's not that bad Mondrian saved you. You are alive. I'm sure that's a silver lining.” “Silver lining?” I repeated, my emotions surged like an inferno, “What silver lining Nikka? I'm going crazy here. Everywhere I go, danger follows. One moment, I am going about my day, the next, I’m inches away from death. Whether it is a falling tree branch narrowly missing my head or a rogue wolf lunging at me from the shadows, there's always something happening. I am always on edge.” “That seems kind of odd, Despite your wicked stepmother Valerie's constant schemes and her rabid mons
Chapter 42 Author pov I waited in my room, watching the sunset in a wonderful range of red hues as I sat perched on the edge of my seat. My heart raced, not a mix of fear and guilt, but also anticipation of what had happened a few hours ago. Celene had been hurt. Mondrian would soon come looking for answers, and I was prepared to give him answers—crafted for this very purpose. My door swung open, and I straightened, as I allowed my expression to shift into one of worry. Just as expected, Mondrian entered the room, his face dark with anger, his eyes sharp as they landed on me. “Ella,” he growled, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. I blinked up at him, all innocence. “Your Highness!” I greeted, my smile warm and welcoming. “Did everything go as planned?” The muscles in his jaw twitched, as I felt the weight of his glare. “What do you think you are doing? Playing with fire?” I tilt my head to the side my eyes wide to show my surprise, “Your Majesty, is something wrong? Have I o
Chapter 43 Mondrian The smell of smoke hit me first. Thick, acrid, and choking. My senses flared instantly, heart raced at the thought of something so terrible happening. I pushed open the heavy doors of the palace office, where a few minutes ago I had been in a meeting with a few of my delegates, Valerie included. “What is going on?” Alpha Daniel said, his belly jiggled at each word as Valerie eyed the corner. “Probably just a small mishap.” She said we should head back inside. No one moved as the elders continued to stare at the smoke as they shuffled around, murmurs of their confusion filled the air yet none moved to find out more. My eyes narrowed as I gazed at budding flames licking at the far corners of the pack. Chaos erupted all around me—sentries and servants running, yelling, doing everything they could to contain the fire. “Alpha!” a voice called out towards Daniel, panicked and breathless. I spun around face to face the young wolf, his face ashen. “What happened?”
Chapter 44 Mondrian The rhythmic pounding of my fists against the punching bag did nothing to dull the frustration gnawing at my insides. Two days have passed since the fire that had almost taken Celene’s life—two painful days of sitting on my toes as I waited for her to wake up. I couldn’t shake the image of her, pale and unmoving as she lay beneath the concrete pillar in what had once been her room. “Dammit,” I muttered under my breath, as I land one final blow on the bag before taking a step back, my chest heaving. I grabbed the towel hanging nearby and wiped the sweat from my face, but the tension between my shoulder blades remained. No matter how hard I punched or pressed, I couldn’t let it go. Not unless Celene somehow woke up from what healer Eric had termed a much-needed rest—more like a coma. Something wasn’t right about the, and I wasn’t going to sit back and the pack brushes it off like a simple accident. As I moved to check the time, the door to my personal t
Chapter 45 Celene “Celene” I jumped at the sound of the familiar voice calling my name, my heart raced as I spun around, and my breath hitched in my throat. Mondrian stood by the doorway, his chest rose and fell with barely restrained intensity. “Gosh, you scared me,” I said, throwing him a small smile, as I stood wave of guilt for being caught ransacking his clothes flushed my skin red. His eyes hooded, with an emotion I couldn't not place. For a moment, both of us remained in silence. I pulled on a loose shirt I had found in his closet—his shirt. My cheeks grew red as I realized he had been staring at me. His gaze lingered on my skin, intense as it raked all over, as if greedy to take it all, it made my pulse quicken. I flushed under his scrutiny, as I battled not to let it affect me but I couldn't help but feel a pool on my lower stomach. It was excitement. “Mondrian, you are here” I breathed, the word escaped my lips before I could stop it. He stepped forward as he gr
46 Celene “Is he here?” I asked, no one in particular as I peeked from behind an oak tree not too far from my quarter. I had been on my way to the kitchen when I heard his familiar voice, within a spur of a moment I had darted behind the courtyard trees in my need to avoid him. I sighed a deep breath as I dropped to my knees, the thud of my heart, a small reminder that I was very much aware of him, despite my consistent insistent that I wasn't. Avoiding Mondrian had become a full-time job. Every time I heard his footsteps down the hall, I would duck into the nearest room or take the long way around the palace. Despite my insistence on leaving his quarters after I had fully recovered, Mondrian had refused to let me go. The Luna, my stepmother had seen no issue with this, according to her ‘I was his property and would do well to please him', and yet he made no move to take me—physically or otherwise. And still, I found myself cringing at my decision to back off, Every time the t
CHAPTER 115 MONDRIAN POVThe door to my office opened, Alex walked in furious. “This is a mistake! You can’t let her go, She is all you have Mondrian do something.”“First of all, knock next time, secondly, I can’t do anything to change her mind, her mind is already made up” I tried to remain calm, and hope Alex doesn’t push me too hard, or else I might snap at him.. “There must be something you can do, maybe you did not beg her enough” he sounded desperate I know Alex was only trying to help, but he is pushing me to the wall, I have been trying to keep my cool, but I am almost at my breaking point right now. Taking a deep breath, I said. “If you were me, what would you have done huh!?”“Would you have wanted me to force her into staying here?” “Or maybe lock her in the cellar, and beg her to be mine before I release her?”“Do you think if there was anything else left, I would not have done it??” “It kills me,but I can’t force her to stay with me, or the curse would not be
114BeckyI walked out of the pack house with my head held high and my luggage rolling by my side. Zara stood by my side with a solemn expression.“Cheer up, Zara it's not like anybody died” I laughed, trying to cheer her up.“You are right. This is much more worse.” The laugh is been meaning to laugh turns into a dry chuckle before dying down into a sigh. She turned to me, “What happens next? Where will you go?”I shrugged at her words, looking away and into the horizon, “I'll make something up. I'm sure it will work out in the end.”“You can't put all your hope on fate Celene, “ she chastised, looking at me with anxiousness, “There is so much danger out there. You have to have a plan.”I chuckled, patting her shoulders, “It's okay I'm aware. I'll find a place to stay. I'm an adult I can take care of myself.”She hesitated, before heaving out a huge sigh, “Fine. If you say so.” she replied, swallowing what she had planned to sayI watched her expression switch with a myriad of emotio
113MondrianI flinched at her words, but I didn't show it, instead, I turned to an anxious-looking Alex, “It's okay you can go back.”Alex doesn't move his eyes switching between me and Celene, and annoyance flushes through me, “Go back, Alex.” I repeated, through gritted teeth.Alex looked as though he was contemplating his options, he took a deep breath and stared at me“Mondrian you have to tell her the truth. She had to know! This is a matter of life—”“Shut your damn mouth,” I roared, interrupting his sentence, Alex frowns but keeps his mouth shut. “I told you to stay out of it. I'll handle it okay?”He shuffles for a while longer before expelling a long sigh, “If you say so, Mondrian. I'll listen. But she has to stay. She can't leave, we need—”“Okay!” Zara cut through whatever he had planned to say, and from his eyes, I knew he wasn't pleased by her interruption as she continued, “It looks like you both have a lot to talk about.” She gave me a pointed stare and I was grateful
112Author’sBeta Alex stood before the two pairs of eyes glaring at him, his shoulders tensed over the sudden pressure, he could understand Celene's anger, but for the life of him didn't know why Zara was glaring daggers into his back.Ignoring this development his eyes glance over the pack's bags and arranged things and back at the woman who owned them. Expressing a deep breath, he finally spoke, “Princess Celene I need to talk to you.”If there's anything you have to say, you can do it here. I have nothing to hide.” She answered folding away a piece of clothing, Alex's brows rose, his teeth gritting.“It's about the Alpha.” Celene's arms froze midway, and she slowly turned towards him, her voice cold and firm, “Then I have nothing to say to you. I've heard all I need to about Mondrian. I don't need you to tell me anymore.”Alex gritted his teeth, taking a step into the room, “You don't understand, Celene. This is important. Mondrian has a reason for —-”I told you I don't want to t
111 Celene My legs moved on their own accord taking me farther away from the crowd and into the west gardens, a place I’d passed through a few times to get away from the bustle of the pack. In its way, it was a haven, and the goddess knew I needed it now. I heard Mondrian call for me but I didn't answer, I cannot. Tears fall freely down my cheeks as thoughts of the past months flit through my mind like some horror movie. If everything Ella had said to be true then I truly had been betrayed by everyone I knew, my father, my friends, and now Mondrian. At the thought of him, my heart twinged with pain, and along with it came an anger that almost seemed to consume me, and I screamed, punching a tree trunk, “That bastard! He used me! He did this to me!” The more I shouted the more rage I felt, I had never felt this way for another person not for Violet Ella, or even my father, their betrayal I had always expected, but not from Mondrian. Not him. Why him? “Celene, calm down, let'
Chapter 110 Celene Anger washed through me at her words without thinking I walked towards her and slapped her, “You have some nerves.” I spat grabbing her jaw, “After everything you've done. You come to my pack and accuse people. How dare you?” Her eyes widened in shock at the attack, Ella had never seen me get angry or use force, “it's true I'd never lie!” She shouted struggling against the guards “You have to listen to me Celene, Your so-called Alpha is the devil. He sent me after—” “Shut up!” Mondrian ordered shocking us both, confused I turned to find him glaring at Ella, “If you know what's good for you, then you better keep your mouth shut.” Ella laughed at his words, “or else what? You'll kill me? Maim me. Celene can't you see, he's threatening me to protect his image.” Confused I looked over at Mondrian, his eyes refusing to meet mine, but the trust I had for him was overwhelming scoffing I stepped away from Ella, “It's good to know that the leopard never changes its s
CHAPTER 109 Celene POV. “Celene i….” Mondrian was about to say the reason why he brought me out before we heard the alarm bell ringing. Immediately Mondrian hands stretched into claws, pulling me behind him. “stay here, while I go, check it out” he said sharply. “If you think for a second, I'm going to stay here like a fucking damsel in distress while the pack is under attack, then you'll have to think again” I snapped, pulling his claws away from me, “I am going with you whether you like it or not.” I added, raising my chin to meet his. His eyes darkened, and he growled. “Are you out of your damn mind, definitely not I forbid it,” “And who is going to stop me,” I asked, crossing my arms, “I'm going to follow behind whether you like it or not.” “No! Celene, it could be dangerous out there,” he reasoned, his voice lower than before, “ and I don’t want you getting hurt, I won't be able to forgive myself should any harm come your way.” I leaned into his warmth, my skin ting
CHAPTER 108 CELENE P.O.V Nothing prepared me for the aftermath of transformation. I could feel the energy within me surging, my senses heightened and my power flowed freely. I had never felt this way, not when I'd attacked Purple Pack or when I had transformed in front of Mondrian. It was as though the full moon was enhancing every part of me. Without thinking I raised my head and howled to the moon. One became two and soon everyone was howling along. With a chuckle I turned, my eyes searching for Mondrian, only to find his eyes already on me, his lips tugged up in a smirk and something flashed within his eyes— pride. Before I could speak he stepped back and began his transformation, his bones breaking and rearranging until he stood before me on all fours, big and beautiful with beautiful red–orage fur that looks as though on fire. The moment our eyes clashed, the attraction was instant, his scent wafted into my nose, pulling me into a feathery embrace. My wolf jumped in excite
CHAPTER 107 MONDRIAN P.O.V As the full moon festival drew closer, I could feel my power growing, my senses heightened, I could feel the moon's power calling me, stirring my instinct. Increasing my strength and speed. I have been busy making preparations for the full moon festival, our defense has been strengthened, it was a special time for my pack, and I needed to make everything perfect. My mind raced, as I wondered how Celene was faring, I had been so busy as the head of the pack, making arrangements, and giving out instructions that I hadn't had the time to see Celene in a while. If I have been sincere, I have been avoiding her. I can’t seem to see her right now, not after everything. I need to make it right first, to build a new relationship with trust. “Your Highness” Alex walked in. The scouts are ready for the hunt,” It was the tradition of the pack, that the leader of the pack leads the scouts to hunt for meat used for the festivities. “Okay, and the decorations