All Chapters of His Regret, The Crown's Claim : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

The wind on the ridge was biting into my skin, it was so cold out here this morning as the wind whistled through the sleek lines of the black SUVs idling in the driveway. I stood on the gravel, my hands buried deep in the pockets of a heavy grey fur coat I wore to keep warm, but it seemed the cold still managed to sneak it's way in. “It's awfully cold this morning.” I sniffled, as I watched the staff move with practiced efficiency, loading heavy cases and designer luggage into the rear of a reinforced trucks.The morning air was slate gray and unforgiving, much like the silence that had settled between me and the Alpha.Cade emerged from the shadows of the stone portico, his footsteps heavy. He looked awkward, his usual predatory grace replaced by a stiff, uncertain gait. I didn't turn to look at him, but I could feel his presence like a pressure change in the atmosphere. I remembered the previous night, the burning sting of his palm against my cheek, the way my world had tilted on i

The villa the king had prepared for us was a marvel of minimalist architecture, it was all polished concrete, floor-to-ceiling glass, and smart home interfaces that responded to a flick of the wrist. But for all its luxury, it just felt like a high tech holding cell meant to distract you with its luxury while keeping watch on all your movements at all times. The air was pressurized, the silence outside broken only by the occasional low hum of a surveillance drone passing over the ridge. The security was tight too….way too tight. I stood by the window of the master suite, watching the sunset bleed red over the mountain peaks. Below, in the courtyard of the Royal Lodgings, the Alphas were still pacing like restless wolves in tailored suits, their scents of anxiety and aggression drifting up even through the glass."It’s strategic," Cade said, his voice reflecting off the hard surfaces of the room. He was standing at the bar, pouring himself a drink from a crystal glass. His movements w

I stood rooted to the wet earth, the fine spray of the waterfall cooling the heat of my face, though it couldn't touch the cold dread pooling in my stomach."How?" I repeated, my voice filled with a sharp edge of suspicion. "How do you know about that? Unless you’ve planted bugs in my pack... unless you’re watching our every move you shouldn't know about that." My eyes narrowed, my wolf pacing restlessly beneath my skin, baring its teeth at the shadow he cast. "Are you monitoring my private quarters, Kael?"But Kael didn't look guilty or apologetic as he let out a long, weary sigh. He didn't flinch at my accusation, instead, he stepped closer, the moonlight illuminating the silver-blue depth of his eyes. "It’s not what you think. I don’t need sensors to tell me when the air in a room has turned toxic.""That's a non-answer," I snapped at him."Words travel faster than you expect," he said quietly, his gaze steady. "The servants would surely whisper. A pack house is a sieve of informat

I sat before the mirror in my silk bathrobe, my movements slow and deliberate as I applied a dark, smoky shadow to my lids. I looked like a woman preparing for war, which, in a way, I was.Really, it was exhausting, having to do all these and appear perfect all the time, but I had no choice. The door to the room opened, and Cade walked in, the heavy tread of his boots echoing on the marble. Without a word, he tossed a garment bag onto the chaise lounge and dropped his smartphone onto my dresser with a sharp clack."I had the stylists bring this up from the local boutique," he said, his voice tight with an unearned sense of authority. "It’s silver and traditional. It matches my tie and the Northern crest. So wear it." He said casually. I didn't even pause my eyeliner. He wanted me to wear a dress just because it matched his tie? He must be joking. "I’ve already seen it, Cade." I said curtly. "And?" he pressed, leaning against the doorframe. "I know you’re sitting there planning how

The air in the Grand Hall didn't just feel cold and suffocating, it felt thin, as if Kael were personally consuming all the oxygen as he descended the final steps of the dais. My heart was thumping frantically against my ribs, the vibration traveling through all the pulse and cores in my body.Cade’s reaction was definitely not to be missed as well. His hand, previously resting with fake affection on my arm, suddenly clamped down. His fingers dug into my bicep, his knuckles turning a ghostly white as he held me possessively with jealousy. It wasn't a gesture of protection but it was just a brand of ownership that he wanted everyone to see. Kael didn't look at the Alphas bowing in his wake. He didn't look at the opulent decorations or the shimmering chandeliers. His eyes…. those predatory, piercing blue were locked onto mine. Every step he took toward us felt like a countdown as the distance closed from ten feet, five, three…and I found myself holding my breath, my lungs burning, wait