When dawn broke, Xandar ran with Lucianne’s wolf back to the clearing behind the hotel before returning home to shower and change for breakfast. After getting ready, he sped to the dining hall and instantly spotted his mate’s small back as soon as he entered. It was the first time she was standing so close to the entrance that he might be able to surprise her before everyone bowed to give away his presence. He took quick but quiet steps towards her, taking advantage of the fact that his mate was concentrating on what seemed to be a very serious conversation with the alliance members. When he stood close enough, his hand went around her waist and rested on her abdomen as she gasped at his sudden touch. He made it to her just in time before everyone started bowing his way. After pecking a kiss on her cheek from her side, he

At training, the Lycans were showing improvement. The alliance didn’t fight. They watched and gave feedback, much to the dismay of Juan, Tate and Zeke, who all preferred to spar than watch and talk. Lucianne watched and gave feedback to the Lycan warrior, Phelton, and Gamma Benedict. After losing two matches to the Gamma, Phelton finally came out victorious in their third match. Benedict shook his hand and congratulated him graciously on the win before Lucianne did the same. After thanking his opponent, Phelton knelt and kissed the Queen’s hand before standing back up to convey his thanks. After watching another three pairs, Juan came up to her and mind-linked, ‘Lucy, just one. One spar.’ ‘What

Annie placed her cup back on the saucer before she explained, “I’m sure you’ve heard about my past already, especially when it comes to the other Duke.” The fact that she struggled to say Greg’s name earlier and was avoiding saying his name now didn’t go unnoticed. The fear and discomfort was very much alive and lingering in Annie even after all these years. Lucianne’s face was unperturbed as she said softly, “I have.” Annie smiled meekly before she took a deep breath and said, “When I slowly started to believe that Christian really loved me, my fear of the people he works with never really went away. The other Duke was the worst but it wasn’t just him. Some ministers and random people we’d see at govern

The rumours about the King and Duke’s presence in the hospital spread like wildfire, and gossipers somehow managed to find out that the future Queen was being treated there. Chats were sent. Calls were made. News feeds were updated. Soon, journalists started publishing short articles about whatever little they know from their sources.  When Greg saw the news on his notifications bar, his eyes widened in shock. He left his drink at the refreshments table, and left the dining hall in quick paces as he skimmed through the article, trying to find out how Lucianne was hurt. When he got nothing from the list of useless articles except for the name of the hospital where Lucianne was admitted into, he threw his phone on the passenger’s seat of his car in frustration and drove faster than he had ever driven, beating all the traffic lights along the way. 

At around 3 a.m., Helena Tanner’s phone screen lit up. Being careful to not wake her mate, she shifted slowly to reach her phone on her night stand. Her eyes squinted in the dark as she read the message from a number she was careful not to add into her contact list but knew by heart. She threw her covers and stood, which was when her mate asked groggily, “Where are you going? What happened?” She tried to mask her worry and responded in a flat tone, “Just work. I have to check on something.” “Now?” Her mate asked in disbelief as he checked the illuminated figures on his alarm clock next to him. Helena forced a smile and kissed her mate on his cheek before explaining, “It’s urgent. I’ll come back as soon as it’s