Semua Bab Second Turning: Bab 1 - Bab 9

On my eighteenth birthday, the High King summoned the heirs of the four great clans—the Vampires, the Werewolves, the High Serpent Clan, and the Merfolk. He laid their portraits before me and said, "Choose one to be your bondmate."I did not hesitate. I pointed to Damon—the werewolf with no noble bloodline, born in a forgotten corner of the realm. The entire court erupted in disbelief.Everyone knew who I used to love. Alpha Iris—the heir of the most powerful Lycan bloodline. For seven years, I chased him with blind devotion. No matter how harshly he treated me, I never gave up. I confessed to him over and over, sometimes right in the royal court. I even performed a blood-binding ritual—slitting my wrist—to earn the right to marry him.In my previous life, I got what I wanted—I married him and we performed the mate bonding ceremony. With that union, he inherited the High King's resources and rose to become the ruler of all four clans.However, what I did not expect was that after our w

Every eye in the room was on me, waiting for my answer.Just then, Alpha Damon made his way into the hall, looking frail, struggling to walk at any speed.Muffled laughter spread through the crowd as I was about to declare that I would choose to marry Damon. However, the High King's words echoed in my mind."If your heart truly lies with Damon, I'll honor your choice. However, keep it under wraps for now. Once the dust settles, the truth will come out."I bit back my words, hesitating.Damon caught my eye, his gaze filled with a sadness I could not ignore.I got the High King's point.With all those heirs from different clans watching, each hungry for power, I could not just blurt out my feelings.So, I decided to let them think what they wanted and walked away from that choking atmosphere.On the drive home, Ruby and I shared a car.She flicked her wrist, and the gems in her box glittered so intensely I had to squint."So what if you marry Alpha Iris? His heart will always

The room was abuzz with hushed voices that quickly grew louder."Can you believe it?""Is she really picking Damon over Iris?""She's betraying Iris? No way! That can't be right!"Iris's face lost all color. His hands balled into fists, rage written all over him.He spun around to face the High King, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. "High King, there's got to be some mistake, right?"The High King just gave him an icy look and let out a mocking laugh.His second-in-command picked up where he left off.The second-in-command's voice was icy as he reminded everyone, saying, "The High King has said it loud and clear: Sophie's chosen Damon."Iris yelled, his voice laced with disbelief, "That's impossible! Sophie, tell them! You picked me, didn't you?"It was me you chose!" His eyes were desperate, as if he could not trust his own ears.I kept my voice calm. "I chose Damon."Damon gave me a soft, warm smile.Iris, though, was beyond furious, and he lunged forward."You'r

I felt sick to my stomach."What's going on with you? I thought Ruby was your girl?"He saw me turn to leave and quickly got to his feet, reaching out to stop me.However, Ruby yanked on his arm."Sophie, hold up! You must hear me out. You're the only one in my mind.""That's not what you said before. You told me once we were married, we'd lead our own lives, no meddling," I said."I was kidding. How could I ever mean that?"His face was a mix of desperation and honesty.I might have fallen for it if I had not been through what I had in my previous life.Ruby's tears came fast when she heard him."Alpha Iris, how could you say those things? You told me you liked me. You said I was more beautiful and lovable than my sister. You promised to mark me. That's why I—""Enough!" Iris snapped, slashing her with his claws, just like he had done to me once.Ruby's face was instantly marked with five bright red lines."This is all your fault! If it weren't for you, why would Sophie b

As dusk settled in, the last of the party guests trickled out. I slipped into my PJs and hopped into bed.Damon was next to me, looking like a tomato, all red-faced and fidgety.I tapped the mattress, teasing him, saying, "What's with the shyness? You're not planning on sleeping solo forever, are you?"He finally got into his nightwear and crawled into bed, inching until he sat beside me. I snuggled up to his shoulder, my fingers dancing across his pecs."We weren't exactly close before. Why are you being so nice to me?" I whispered."Nice?" His voice was scratchy, like he had swallowed sandpaper."You're not worried about the rumors, are you? About marrying a girl who got ditched by Alpha Iris?"Damon murmured, "Ignore the haters. I'm the lucky one here. Iris' loss is my gain."His words were like a soft breeze, making my heart flutter with a sweet, spreading warmth."I've got a secret," Damon said, smiling. "I've had a crush on you for ages."I looked at him, my eyes wide w