Elara’s POVAs I was about to stand up to help Rufus, I felt a bit strange, it was a sharp pain in my belly. The pain started subtly, a viper coiling in my lower abdomen, but then I ignored it and went to prepare lunch together with Rufus. He told me to take a seat and watched him as he prepared the best delicacies ever and promised to call on me when he needed my help. I smiled at him and took a seat far away from him to avoid inhaling some smoke. I brought out my phone and continued my video games to kill time but then the pain in my tummy didn’t allowed me enjoyed the game. “We are having roasted chicken with grit waffles for lunch, Elara,” Rufus said to me as he scrambled around to get the necessary ingredients ready but then the pain in my belly intensified and I was unable to reply to him.“Elara,” he called out my name when he didn’t hear me responding to him.“I guess you are on your phone again, right?” He asked without turning back to look at me.A groan escaped my lips as

Elara's POVHe raised an eyebrow in challenge. "Oh, are you on? Don't underestimate the culinary prowess of a seasoned traveller, Elara."We spent the next few minutes in a lighthearted debate about our respective cooking skills, the tension from earlier dissipating with each playful jab. Finally, with a comfortable silence settling around us, I felt the question burning a hole in my tongue."So," I began cautiously, "tell me about your travels. Where have you been, what have you seen?"Rufus hesitated for a moment, then leaned back against the wall. "It's been a long journey," he said, his voice thoughtful. "I've travelled across mountains, through scorching deserts, and even spent some time exploring the frozen north."My eyes widened. "The frozen north? That sounds... harsh.""It is," he admitted, a flicker of a smile playing on his lips. "But it's also home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes you'll ever see. The aurora borealis, shimmering across the night sky, is a sight

Rayel's POVAfter putting on my clothes, I turned to the wolves with me. "Who the hell was supposed to be on patrol this morning?" I growled out. They all looked at each other, no one saying a word. I growled threateningly and they spoke up."It was supposed to be Ryan and Dante. But they are nowhere to be found."I nodded, still thinking about the wolf I had seen. Was it dead? Or simply wounded enough to retreat? The uncertainty gnawed at me."Split up!" I barked, urgency lacing my voice. "Thorne, take half the patrol east. Kai, you head west. Boris, stay with me. We'll check the north side."Despite the chaos swirling within me, years of training kicked in. Locating the source of the threat, understanding its nature, was paramount. My gaze swept over the assembled wolves, their faces etched with concern mirroring my own."Be vigilant," I commanded, my voice resonating with a leader's authority. "Check every nook and cranny. We don't know what we're dealing with."With a flurry of

~ Rayel’s POVHazel and I were still kissing so passionately and just as my hand brushed against the small of her back, a jarring knock on the door shattered the world we'd built. I was angry at whoever was at the door for coming at that moment. I glanced at the door, the urge to rip it open and punished whoever was there. I reluctantly moved away from Hazel and I could see her laughing at my reaction. Her playful jab, though laced with disappointment, snapped me out of my possessive haze. Shame washed over me. My anger had been entirely self-serving, fueled by the selfish desire to continue but then I ignored her and yelled at the person by the door asking what he or she wanted.“It’s Patricia, Your majesty,” “And what did…” Hazel shut me up with a kiss, telling me that Patricia was her maid and she was probably by the door to inform her about Rose’s well being. I watched as she walked back to her wardrobe and got changed before walking towards the door. She ordered the young maid

~ Rufus’s POVI smiled as I watched Elara go into the kitchen to wash the plate. I was still seated on the chair and then thought about my feelings for her. Ever since I saved Elara in the forest, I enjoyed her company more and more and always wanted to protect her. At first all I had in mind was to protect her but then I gradually felt something for her. It was subtle at first, a lingering glance a moment too long, a warmth spreading in my chest at her laugh. I'd find myself anticipating her presence, my heart skipping a beat when I saw the flash of her auburn hair through the trees. Conversations that once flowed easily became laced with nervous stammers, my mind a tangled mess as I tried to decipher these newfound feelings.I initially thought that it was a pity, seeing a young lady in the forest, and to make it worse, she was also pregnant. My heart sank as I spotted the figure huddled beneath the sprawling oak. A young lady was unconscious under the gnarled trunk. Even from a dis