"Didn’t you just eat, dear? Why is your stomach growling?” Beatrice inquires as she tucks me under the covers, her fingers grazing over my stomach as it rumbles beneath her palm. She's insisted that I remain in bed for the next 24 hours. My muscles ache from the brief excursion downstairs and back up, ensuring I won’t attempt that again soon. “No, I haven’t,” I reply, and my stomach growls again. “Why? I thought creamy shrimp pasta is one of your favorites.” “You remember,” I smile, reminiscing about the numerous times I asked her to make it for me after the first time. She nods. “It is, but I didn’t want to eat it because his majesty served me.

“In all my years of existence, I have never hated someone as much as I hate you,” Ember declares, pulling me from my thoughts as she takes off her jacket and hands it to the man who dragged me. “You don’t even love Nickolas,” I say, pulling at the restraints on my hands. I didn’t succeed in freeing myself yesterday, but that doesn’t mean I won’t today. I also plan to stall her by talking while I try to figure out something. “That’s true, but I don’t have to love him to see you as a threat,” she responds, taking off her heels and slipping into sneakers with the man's assistance. I tug on the ropes around my legs hard, not caring as my skin burns from the action. “But I

The following morning, I awaken to the sound of a gentle knock on my door. As I peel the covers off my body and approach the door, my mind is already filled with worries about Marie's recovery. Despite her awakening from her coma, she is still far from fully recovered. A run in wolf form could aid in her healing, but I know Nickolas would never agree to it. "Nickolas?" I murmur in surprise as I open the door, hardly believing he's the one standing there. I didn't even know he knew how to knock. "Good morning, Amelia," he greets me, straightening his shoulders and flexing the muscles there slightly. I'm momentarily speechless, trying to process if I heard him correctly. Did Nickolas just say good morning to me? "Amelia," he repeats, waving his hand in front of my face to snap

"Amelia," Nickolas calls out, his hand gently waving in front of my face to recapture my attention.I blink, my mind snapping back to the present. "Sorry, what did you just say?" I ask, my voice trembling slightly as I stare at him."I was..." he begins, but I can't bear to let him finish. The raw vulnerability in his eyes is too much."Don't repeat it," I interrupt quickly, my heart aching for him. I can only imagine the courage it took for him to reveal to me the first time."Amelia," he continues, his voice barely above a whisper, "I know it's a lot to take in, and I would understand if being with someone like me isn't appealing anymore. But please, still be in my life. It wouldn't be complete without you."His words wash over me, and my heart swells to the point of bursting. Tears well up in my eyes as I take in the man before me—so strong, yet so afraid of losing me. I never imagined that Nickolas, being the enemy, would utter such a heartfelt plea."Please say something,"

AMELIA My heart pounds with every step Nickolas takes back to the castle. Thoughts race through my mind, consumed by the uncertainty of what awaits us upon our return. Will he truly take me tonight? And more importantly, do I want him to?  Yes, there's an undeniable craving and desire for my mate's touch coursing through every fiber of my being. But I can't say I'm entirely ready to fulfill that desire. The burning heat in my bones has lessened merely by having him close to me, his presence alone enough to soothe the heat. Snuggled against his chest, I find solace in the familiar scent that emanates from him, the scent that both calms the raging fire within me and sets my heart racing with anticipation. With each steady beat of his heart beneath my ear, I find myself to