NATALIA I push my plump bottom lip out in a little pout and stomp my foot on the ground. I can’t believe he is telling me no. Alexander never tells me no. He watches me with a smirk on his face as I throw my little tantrum, almost like he is enjoying my displeasure. “Please…” I beg. “It is just so hot outside.” “My beautiful Little Queen,” Alexander says as he cups my cheek in his hand and rubs his thumb over my lip. My breathing hitches a little bit at his touch, but I refuse to give in. I want to go swimming. “It isn’t a good day today.” Alexander says shortly. Gently I run my fingers over the stiff collar of his shirt. A shirt that just a few months ago I would have had to iron myself. “I am sure you could use a break today. You are always working.” Alexander groans impatiently under my touch. His crystal blue eyes darken as I run my fingers over the beautiful mark that sits on his neck, my mark. “I will send you with Ra

I peer out of the old sheets that I have hung in my room as curtains. Pulling the latch to my window I shove it open and let the night air come into my room. I had hoped that it would be refreshing but I was wrong. The breeze that hits my face is as warm as the day was. Propping myself up into the window ledge I close my eyes and listen to the sounds of the night. From way up here I can hear everything, and it soothes my wolf, Adeline. Far off in the distance I can hear the rushing water of the spring that feeds into the river and just like always the cool water calls out to me. My eyes wander to the ground and none of the guards are patrolling on this side of the castle. Swinging my legs outside of the window I let them dangle for a moment while I listen for the sounds of the guards. Satisfied that I won’t get caught, I slink myself out of the window and hold on to the edge until I feel my toes grip the lattice that is underneath. Carefully and quiet

The day is hot. Sweat beads form on my forehead as we stand outside of the castle waiting for Alpha Alexander to come out. I lift my nose to the air and discreetly searching for the scent of my mate, but I know it is too early in the day for me to detect him. I frown at the thought that my mate won’t be waiting for me within the Labyrinth, but I already knew that. I have lived this once before. I should be disappointed, but I am not. I know that Alexander waits for me at the end of the three days. With a loud creek the castle doors open wide and Alexander, my Alexander, walks slowly through the doors and stops just at the edge of the platform. I stare up at his beautiful, chiseled face and butterflies form in my stomach. Even though I know that he will be cruel to me for a few weeks I cannot help but remember how gentle and kind he becomes. Everyone else bows their head in respect as he scans his crystal blue eyes over us. When he reaches me I give him

Adeline refuses to let me rest. The higher the moon grows in the sky the more desperate she becomes to find her mate. She forced the shift hours ago and refuses to give me back the reins. With her nose to the ground she hunts for the scent that she craves. The scent of citrus and pine. She is positive that the scent belongs to her mate. I have long stopped trying to reason with her. We aren’t here to find our mate. We are here to find our way back to Alexander, but she is a wolf obsessed with finding her goal. Never stopping to rest, Adeline keeps hunting our mate until the wee hours of the morning. The sky turns a beautiful shade of orange and purple as the sun rises in the sky. I watch the breathtaking sunrise from behind Adeline’s eyes and I beg her to stop and take a break for a few hours. Letting out a little humph of frustration she finally tires herself out and lays on the hard ground and closes her eyes. Once Adeline’s mind is calm once again I let myself rest

Margaret shows me to my room and slams the door shut. I hear the jiggle of keys and a click, and I know that she has locked me inside. I let out a sorrowful sigh. The room that has been provided for me is only a small improvement over the small room that I stayed in as an Omega. There is a bed, an actual bed, not a cot with an overly worn mattress. A small dresser is off to one side and another door that I can only assume leads to a bathroom. Making my way across the room I open the small dresser and neatly folded maid’s uniform dresses are stacked inside. Plain white undergarments are in the top drawer. I run my fingers over the rough material and long for the silks and satins that I used to wear. Closing the drawers to the dresser I open up the door leading to the bathroom. There is only a sink and a toilet. No shower. Of course there wouldn’t be one, I think to myself. Only those of important rank and stature would have a full bathroom attached to their rooms. Stri