All Chapters of I Became my Mate's Concubine : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

AARON SHROVA. It was hard not to lose myself in the taste of Deva's lips. This is what I was afraid of. I did not love her; my heart was with someone else who was no more. It was my fault that she died. I told myself that I kissed her to preserve her dignity and to make up for not showing up last night. All I remember was Sophie asking for me, and I passed out from exhaustion. I had gotten a little fever before the wedding that only Sophie knew of. I hid it well, but it caught up with me. The doctors said it was from induced stress. I meant to be at her Chambers to fulfill my duties after seeing Sophie, who told me she had something important to tell me. Her actions had failed to make sense to me after Deva arrived. It was like her demeanor changed. She became cold and distant. I didn't fully trust anyone, and I still could not tell who was telling the truth. Was it the woman I had my lips on or the one I trusted to be c

DEVA LOREN/ LANA ALVAREZ.We stepped into the garden through an archway draped in blooming roses, their petals brushing my shoulder like a breath. The vines twisted up the iron frame, stubborn and soft, opening into a timeless garden.The path beneath our feet shimmered with fine stone dust, curving through sculpted hedges shaped into wolves mid-howl and shields worn by age.The twelve statues ahead stood in a circle, each ruler frozen in stone with eyes carved to follow your movement. One held a blade across his chest. Another knelt with hands bound in prayer. Evil men described as glorious rulers. They left those they stole from in penury, the one I hated the most had his statue with his eyes and mouth smiling. Aaron looked so much like him. How could I have missed the strange resemblance?He had me completely fooled as Lana, but he will never win in the same game as Lana.Just past the statues stood tall iron cages woven with gold thread, spaced like art installations, beautiful an

AARON SHROVAI sat before my council discussing pressing matters and opted for suggestions regarding the pack's affairs.An elder raised his hand and I allowed him to speak. He was in the fourth rank of the top-ranking nobles of the Moonray pack; therefore, he had the right to speak."Alpha Aaron, we have yet to discuss Lady Deva's roles. As you know, every high consort has her role to play apart from sitting pretty in the royal home like a pampered lady."I groaned inwardly. The discussion I wanted to avoid."Yes, Alpha Aaron," another butted in. "We have been waiting for the official assignment of her roles and yet nothing. She simply cannot be a decoration in the royal home.""Yes, that." I took a pause. "I will send in a scroll to her. She is well-behaved and knows how to form conversations. I have decided that she will be the Curator of Public Presence and Ritual Appearances. Where Sophie cannot make it to occasions, she will represent her instead of the highest-ranking noblewoman

DEVA LOREN/ LANA ALVAREZMy appearance before the council wasn't until later in the day, which gave me enough time to welcome Anna.The doors of the local carriage opened, revealing two figures that stepped down with grace and precision.The guard wore a fitted black uniform trimmed with deep burgundy, sleek and disciplined. A wolf-emblem cloak fell from his shoulders, and a polished short sword hung at his side. His gloves were firm, his boots soundless on the stone. Silent, but watchful. He stared directly at me with yellow amber eyes and brown hair. Liam's brother; Landon. He looked at me like he secretly resented me but tried to bury it under the guise of a stoic guard.Beside him was Anna, who descended in a soft lilac dress lined with white lace, a pale apron tied neatly around her waist. Her hair was tucked into a matching headwrap. There was warmth in her eyes that smiled with relief as she exited the carriage, despite the quiet demeanor of a dutiful maid that she carried.I w

DEVA LOREN/LANA ALVAREZThe meeting with the council ended not long after I accepted my roles. The eldest of the councilmen made little to no effort to communicate with me, and it could be that they didn't think that I still had to prove myself worthy of the high consort title, or that they are on Sophie's side.A few of the rest of the members spoke to me, blessed me, and I even got a few moonstones. Moonstones were a sign of approval for our kind; they were round and had the moon's glimmer. They are also sold at a ridiculous price.I got one each from six elders who loved the Shrovas and wanted them to remain in the row of families where Alphas could come from."The stones are pretty!" Anna beamed as I presented them to her."Want one?" I asked, knowing she'd love one."No," she raised her hands in refusal, "They're yours, my lady. I cannot covet anything that belongs to you, no matter how pretty they are.""Oh, Anna," I creased my brows because of how cute she was. "This isn't cove