Alexander Estelle flounces into the war council chambers with her head held high and a bounce in her step. A complete change from the last time I saw her where she was barely able to stand from having done a locator spell. From what Arthur had told me, she had kept to her own quarters, not really coming out unless explicitly asked for. What had got her in such a good mood was beyond me.  I had expected to find a frail woman who could barely stand. “Your Majesty.” She bows with an arrogant grace. “How may I serve you.” “You are aware that my uncle had declared war on the castle?” I ask her. “I am, your majesty.” “Then you will also know that currently we are at the disadvantage. William has troops in numbers that are far greater than ours. If we do not get reinforcements in, then we are all as good as dead.” “And how does that affect me sire?” “I need you to find a way to contact our packs.”

v My solitude was short lived. With Alexander now being back amongst his council, my ladies soon got word that we had unbarricaded ourselves from our rooms, and before I knew it, our living area was once again a hive of women all eager to gossip. An outsider looking in would have had no idea that there was an army sitting on the borders of our lands. If the talk of battle had affected them at all they did a good job of hiding it. The talk of the castle was mostly, well, me. How I was finally mated and that a coronation would soon follow. As much as I tried to deny the rumour, it would seem that I would not be listened too. Two faces that I did find noticeably absent were those of Lucille and Estelle, neither of which had yet to grace us with their presence. On Estelle’s part it came as no great pity. But Lucille, I missed my friend dearly, and I itched to be able to reach out and talk to her. To apologise to her.  But despite how many times I knocked on

Rosalie   There is something quite sad about sitting alone of Christmas Eve, drinking wine and staring out into the night sky waiting to welcome in the start of Christmas. Yet here I was. Alone. Sitting in front of the fire, waiting, or rather hoping that Alexander will eventually make an appearance. All the preparations had been made for the first day of festivities. Tomorrow would be the feast day. Hampers full of food and gifts would be passed around to the villagers around the castle and the travellers who had arrived seeking refuge. And then in the evening there would be a great party in the main hall. All of the nobles and their families were invited. The hall would be filled with the sound of laughter and joy by nightfall. Spurred on by the dejected faces of so many around the castle who were missing loved ones and friends who were unable to be with us, I was determined to make this the best Christmas yet.

I look at the reflection of us both in the mirror, a sense of ease settling over me. I no longer felt the outsider in a world that was not my own. For the first time, I felt wanted. I looked towards the man stood beside me, my heart quickening in my chest at the sight of him. His long hair had been pulled back into a neat ponytail at the base of his skull, his blue eyes looked back at me with heavy lids. “If you continue looking at me like that Rosa, I fear we will not be making it to the party tonight.” He whispered into the shell of my ears. My cheeks heating under the weight of his words. A naughty part of me wanted to say “Would that be so bad?” The idea of him taking me to bed now and staying there until the whole of Christmas was over, well it was tempting to say the least. But we couldn’t. He was the King, and he would be expected to be there. And I as his mate, I would be expected by his side. With a sigh, I break my eye conta

Arthur handed over the young girl to her mother and left with a swiftness of a predator. Leaving me stood with his shivering family. “You must me the Lady Louisa?” I ask the woman after a beat. “Yes… my lady.” She seemed uncomfortable for a moment, unsure as to the best way to address me. “Please, just call me Rosalie. Or Rosie. Whichever you prefer.” I bend down to look at the little boy, he was the spitting image of his father. His unruly curls sticking out all over his head. “Shall we find you something dry to wear, and maybe even something yummy to eat?” I ask him, to which I got a small smile and a nod. I lead them away from the great hall in the direction of mine and Alexander’s personal rooms. As we rounded a corner, a shiver runs up my spine as I come face to face with a smashed window. Snow beginning to bellow in from the opening. Knowing that it must have been Alexander who cause the damage did little to comfort me. Blood could be se