THEON The preparations for the evening event were in full swing. I had left the castle late in the afternoon, having things to do around the city. I now blended in, sticking to the shadows as I made my way to a certain location where I was to meet Dad again. I had stopped at the jeweller's on the way here, even if it was not real… I planned on giving her a ring that I paid for rather than one the king had chosen… ‘You will be engaged to Yileyna.’ Andres’ words from earlier echoed in my mind. Yileyna… There would be nothing disappointing in being tied to Yileyna… Waking and falling asleep to her face every night… In an ideal world, that would be perfection, a dream come true… but there was so much more to this than that. A dream of a content and complete life did not exist. She was a pawn to use in both Andres’ and Dad’s games… all for the ultimate goal, one of victory and power. A power that should have been ours from the start. But was it worth risking Yileyna’s life over? No.

YILEYNA "Charlene!" She had broken into a run the moment she was out of sight, but I caught up fast, grabbing hold of her arm as I battled my emotions, trying to calm the storm that was raging outside and within me. Breathe… "My queen…" I said softly as she refused to look at me. I tugged her around gently and she turned. It killed to see the fat tears spilling down her cheeks. I pulled her into my arms, hugging her tightly. "Just like that, he cast me aside." She whispered. "Well he just lost the only daughter he had. It’s his loss." I said angrily, as she pulled away. "I'll ruin your dress." She said wiping away her tears, as she wrapped her arms around herself. "It hurts… not only have I lost Mom… but Dad too…" I frowned, maybe Gamma Grayson needed to know… Maybe he would be the father she needed, the king and queen were both disgusting in my eyes. "He doesn’t deserve to call you daughter, don’t let his words get to you." I comforted her, stroking her arm and brushing her

YILEYNA We had walked out onto the second-floor hallway, this part of the building had little roof. We stuck to walking under the protection of the roof above our heads, watching the rain fall to the courtyard below. Despite it being quieter here, there were still many people talking and strolling around, so we took the next stairs up. Theon led the way, scanning the area as he led the way. It was clear he was looking for somewhere quiet to talk. He finally stopped when we were in a secluded area. "Ah, this is perfect." I said looking up at the open sky as I walked to the edge of the balcony that circled around the centre of the middle courtyard. We were on the third floor and there was no one up here save from us. "Just the two of us…" He said huskily, making my heart skip a beat. "Yes." I said, turning my back towards him as I gripped the balcony rail leaning beside me. He closed the gap between us and I bit my lips as his scent hit me. He smirked, placing his hands on the balc

YILEYNA I awoke with a gasp, my entire body felt heavy. My eyes flew open, my heart thundering with confusion as I looked around the room. Where was I? What happened? I felt delirious and confused, jolting upright in bed. Where am I? I looked around, trying to focus, and it took me a moment to realise I was in the guest room at the Alpha’s quarters… How did I get here? It looked to be mid-afternoon outside, but from the howling wind, I could tell the weather was rough. The cold was obvious in the room too, the huge log fire was lit ablaze. I placed a hand to my head just as everything came rushing back. Theon… The Obsidian Shadow Pack… The truth… My heart pounded, and I pushed the blanket off, stumbling out of the bed. I needed to tell someone! Suddenly the door opened, and my heart leapt seeing Charlene standing there, with a few towels and a bucket in her arms. "Yileyna! Goddess! Yileyna’s awake!" She shouted in relief as she ran to me, dropping the bucket of water and

YILEYNA Just then two men of the Silver Storm pack attacked him. It was a suicide mission, but it gave me the time I needed. "Run, Princess!" I nodded, my heart squeezing as I knew their fate was death… I turned and ran through the flames, refusing to let their sacrifice be wasted. Stopping suddenly at the sight before me, there in the middle of the clearing were the king and queen, tied and mortally wounded. The queen was near dead, laying in a pool of blood, whilst the King was on his knees, breathing raggedly as he kept his head raised. "So, you managed to escape…" Theon’s cold, emotionless voice came. My heart thudded as I stared at the hooded man that now circled the king and queen, the sword in his hand dragging along the ground, grating against the stone. My stomach lurched as a strong sense of Deja Vu from the day at the hospital returned to me. Somehow, I had been forewarned of this moment… When Theon had touched me… Fire… Death… Goddess… "Don’t do this, Theon." I wh