Otsana“But daddy!” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! I was being punished after I spent so many years doing exactly what my father told me to do!“You are going to your aunt's and that is final, Otsana! I should have sent you there straight after your mother died!” My father sounded as if he blamed me!“This isn’t fair! She’s just a damn omega! Why are all of you listening to her? She’s a filthy rogue that doesn’t deserve to live! She killed our king! How could you bow your head to her?! She’s a murderer! A disgusting, filthy little rogue wh@re …” The slap rang through the air and I gripped my burning cheek, looking shocked. My father never hurt me before!“That is why you have to go!” His eyes suddenly filled with tears. “Otsana, if you say things like that, she will kill you! She might be all of those things, but she is also the queen. She took the title fairly by killing the king.” He rubbed the sides of my arms while I rubbed my burning cheek.“Then why has nobody tried to a

AlisonAfter a nice hot shower and some clean clothes, I made my way to the dining room where I found my dad had already left for the old castle. Which meant Spenser and I were once again left alone. Eating in silence. Which was incredibly awkward!“Thank you for your help in the garden today.” The silence was just too deafening!“It was fun!” Spenser beamed. “After the life we led to this point, being able to do something that builds and doesn’t break down, is nice.” He smiled and silence fell again. I was having a hard time swallowing my food.“This is weird, isn’t it?” He scrunched up his nose, making me laugh and sending food flying across the table! We sat staring at each other for a moment in sheer shock before laughter rang through the dining room.“I’m sorry! That wasn’t very queen like!” I wiped my mouth when our laughter died down, and I tried to catch my breath and wipe the tears from my eyes. I hadn’t laughed like that since … Forever. I don’t think I ever laughed like tha

AlisonIt was exactly what I imagined thanks to the hard work of both Ralph and Spenser. The food was incredible. The beer kept flowing and all around us people were having fun. When the time came to open the dance floor, Spenser appeared in front of me with a huge grin on his face.“Your highness, may I have the first dance?” His cheeks turned a tinge of red and I smiled.“Sure, why the hell not.” I laughed and allowed him to lead me onto the makeshift dance floor. The music started, and he expertly guided me across the floor for the first round. When we started the second turn, others joined us and it really became a party. Somehow, the atmosphere I felt in the tavern had transferred to our party!The only thing missing were the women selling themselves. I noted one of two of them at the party, but for once it seemed they were actually there to have fun and not work. That was what I wanted to see. I hated knowing there were women in my city who literally had to sell themselves to ea

AlisonWhen I heard that Spenser left, I felt really awful. I didn’t mean for him to leave! He didn’t even say goodbye or hint that he would be leaving. He was just gone! Who did that? Who left like that without saying goodbye? I can’t blame him, but how rude!“Ralph, I need to ask you a very personal question, but with my dad out of town, I don’t have anyone else I trust enough to ask this from.” I frowned as Ralph and I walked through the armoury. It was Sunday and everyone was resting, which gave me the perfect opportunity to check out some things I had been wanting to see.“Sure.” He frowned when I went silent. I wasn’t entirely sure how to ask him after the way I told him that I didn’t love him, but he really was the only one I could ask.“How did you know that you were in love with me? I mean,” I sighed, noting the confusion in his eyes. “I know I’m supposed to be in love with Spenser because of the bond. But how do I know it’s really love? How do I know it will last and that it

Alison“NO!” Spenser exclaimed, growling softly. He sighed deeply, pulling his fingers through his hair as he took a couple of steps away from me before turning to look at me. “I don’t care about your title or mine. I didn’t care about it right from the start.” He took a step closer and then stopped. “I rejected you because I felt that it wasn’t safe for females on the front lines. I was an idiot, I know, but I thought I was doing the right thing by keeping females away. Sadly, I couldn’t keep them …” He sighed. “I couldn’t keep you away from the battle. I never realized how strong you were. I thought I was protecting you.”I stood there staring at him for a moment, not sure if I should be offended or impressed. He had just given up his entire birth right, so he could be with me. He gave up love all those years ago, so he could protect me. My mind suddenly rushed through the memories of how I had been treated while I was still an omega, right up to when Ralph found me and took me to m