Every time Brum and I had sex it was more than I could ever imagine. But every time he pulled away from me, it hit me equally as brutal. The cold air kissed my skin, the tingling imprint of his touch and his bruising kisses. He immediately went cold while I was still at the peak of the sensation. It never got better. I never could get used to it. It was damaging and heart breaking. I lay on the floor, trying to gather the scattered pieces of my mind but he was already carrying his pants to the bathroom where he shut the door. The euphoria left, and from the emptiness rose disgust and that oohh so familiar sham. Where was the care? At least show some respect for the person you are intimate with. The cold started to seep from the tiles onto my back, making me feel really cold. I felt dirty. The aftermath of our jaunt suddenly made my skin prickle with more shame and disgust. My hands shook, and I stared at them as I stood up. I folded them into fists, pushing myself up despite the d

I did not have the energy to put up a show. I did not have the energy to stride in with confidence. All I could do was keep my head up and show them nothing. I still could not wrap my head around what had happened this morning. I was having difficulty processing it to the fullest. The moment I entered the dining room, chairs scraped the floors but you could feel the tension even then. It was thick, almost tangible in the air and consumed all in that room. I could feel my body sway with each step, my waist curving in as my long legs swallowed the distance between me and the breakfast table, yet I was not in control. I took a back seat and let muscle memory take over, leaving my body vacant of any coherent thoughts. I felt hollow, an empty vessel with an abyss inside. I bent into a respectful curtsey. “My king. My queen.” I did not know if they replied or not. I pulled out my chair and sat down. The one next to me was vacant. The opposite chair to me was also vacant, as were the six

“Where is the Beta?” Former Alpha Moonseekers asked and the occupants in the room started to scowl, aggressive murmurs rising between them once they perceived the slight. Areli kept sending me sympathetic smiles and they set me off. Any mention of that... of Brum did not help calm my foul mood in any way. I was sure my face was set in the deepest scowl. “He is running late.” King Conri said, as he ran a hand through his hair in obvious agitation. His words left a bitter taste in my mouth, bringing an angry flush to my skin. The silence that followed was heavy and suffocating. Eyes darted from one pair to another, realization sparking in all the alphas there. Brum wasn't coming, I knew it, the King knew it and everyone else did. It was not my best day but I would not bend my head in sadness no matter how much I wanted to. “Then we should wait.” Alpha Silver said and I was filled with dread. No one said anything in answer but a decision had been silently made. I walked off to sit on

I tended to the meat all night long as the others slept in the camp. My eyes were heavy with sleep but I was determined to complete the course that would follow that day. The forest came to life as the sun rose over the horizon. The rain had begun and exhausted itself on me. I liked to believe it was cleansing me of how weak I had gotten. By the time the men woke up I had assembled their plates for them. They sat and ate as they chat with themselves. I could feel the eyes take me in but I had my old self back. There was no way they could approach or start a conversation with me. Even Conri decided to let it rest. They walked away after eating, heading back to the pack, and I was left to dissemble all the shelters I had made. I cleared the beds and left the area as clean as we found it. They came back clean with a new set of clothes while I rotted, feeling like filth in my own skin. My back was to them, my legs were crossed and I was staring at the lake. The hand of time paused for m

No one thought he was bold enough. I did not think he was that bold but I was wrong, I knew he was gone. I could not believe it, neither could Areli or Conri for that matter, because they were both gaping at the door he'd left through. We all stared at the door in shock as if that would will Brum back. My jaw was unhinged as well, and I looked between the royal couple and the door in confusion. The room alternated between hot and cold. I kept processing it and each time it baffled me even harder. I was at my wits end. My mind was in the gutter. Conri was visibly seething in anger, running his hand through his hair. He turned to a wide eyes Areli. I knew their attention would soon turn to me. I knew their eyes would be sorrowful and pitying. I didn’t want to be a part of it. I shot up to my feet, turned around and quickly made my way out of the office. Areli called after me but I moved faster, getting into Brum’s office. I quickly grabbed a chair and put it under the handle which wig