Chp 11

Zane POVOne of the maids rushed inside, breathing heavily as if she had run through the entire mansion. Her face was pale and I could see the fear in her eyes. Which was Interesting, most people were afraid of me and for her to be more frightened of something else meant only one thing.Something important had happened.The maid lowered herself quickly."Your Majesty."I leaned back against the couch, "What is it?"The maid hesitated and then finally spoke. "The Elder Wolves have arrived."The room instantly fell silent and my expression darkened.Of course it would!, just when I thought this day couldn't become any worse.The ‘Elder Wolves’, the self-proclaimed voices of the Moon Goddess. The highest authority among wolfkind.Kings answered to them, Alphas answered to them, even I had to tolerate them and I hated every second of it.My fingers tightened around the armrest.For years I had built my own kingdom, my own power and my own army. Yet a few old wolves could still summon me li

Chp 12

Zane's POVThe moment I stepped into the corridor, every servant moved aside.Nobody dared block my path and nobody dared speak.The sound of my boots echoed against the marble floors as I made my way toward the main hall. Behind me walked Kael and several of my rogue guards. Their weapons hung openly from their waists.Unlike the noble wolves, my people never pretended to be civilized. We didn't hide our claws nor did we smile while plotting betrayal.We didn't poison others with pretty words.The nobles called us savages, I considered it a compliment. At least we were honest about what we were.The large doors leading to the main hall came into view. Two guards immediately bowed.Neither dared meet my gaze.That's Good!!, I preferred it that way. Without slowing my pace, I pushed the doors open.The massive wooden doors swung apart with a loud creak. Instantly, every conversation inside died.There was silence, complete silence. My cloak dragged across the floor behind me as I entere

Chp 13

Zane's POVThe entire hall fell silent, it was not the normal silence and not the kind that came from respect.There was shock, pure shock on everyone's face, every noble, every alpha and every council member along with the servant, they all stared between Astrid and me as if the Elder Wolf had just announced the end of the world.Frankly, I wasn't far from agreeing with them.The old wolf continued speaking calmly. "As many of you know, Lady Astrid Ravenwood has officially chosen Zane Ashblood as her future mate."There was silence and then whispers erupted throughout the hall."What?""She chose him?""But she loved Caspian.""Wasn't the engagement already arranged?""The Rogue King?"My patience was rapidly disappearing.Across the room, I noticed Caspian. His expression had darkened, which was interesting. My dear younger brother stared at her with anger. It seemed as if he didn't e

Chp 14

Astrid’s POVThe golden curtain shimmered softly in the candlelight. From where I sat, I could see everything beyond it.The towering doors, the servants standing quietly along the walls and the flickering flames in the silver chandeliers. The wolves were gathered outside, waiting for the announcement that would change my life but right now none of them frightened me as much as the man I was waiting for.Zane Ashblood.My fingers tightened around the fabric of my gown.I very well knew his past and I knew what the kingdom whispered about him.The banishment, about his mother's execution and the bloodshed that followed.For years he spent his life among the rogues. I knew about the hatred he carried for the noble wolves and most importantly… I knew what my family had done to him.In my previous life, I had never understood why Zane looked at me as if he wanted to tear my entire family apart but now I know better. Sitting here alone in this room with him was terrifying. I took a slow b

Chp 15

Astrid’s POVThe moment the words left my mouth, I knew I had pushed too far and Zane went still, he was furious. I could see him clench his jaw, maybe I spoke too much!! But he didn't move an inch which made me worried.He stood still at his place, not the kind of stillness that meant calm, the kind that came before a storm. His eyes darkened until I could barely see the man behind them.I stared at him quietly while I took a few steps backwards, I had expected anger but I hadn't expected this. He then suddenly crossed the distance between us in two strides and before I could react, his hand closed around my throat. My back slammed against the wall, a sharp gasp escaped me as he wrapped his finger around my neck. His fingers tightened, not enough to crush my windpipe but enough to remind me that he could, that was somehow worse.Zane leaned down, his face inches from mine. "You seem to have forgotten something." My hands instinctively wrapped around his wrist. His skin was hot beneat

Chp 16

Astrid pov "Go on." He said, and I could see a smirk on his face."He wants acceptance and the pack."I lowered my voice."And if his father accepts him, Caspian gets another opportunity to enter places he has been kept away from."Zane stared at me."What places?""The places connected to your mother's death."There was silence between us, complete silence.I could almost hear the crackle of the fire behind us. Zane's expression didn't change but his eyes did.For the first time, I saw something other than hatred.He was interested and I'm sure he will now agree to marry me ."You've been investigating."It wasn't a question. I shook my head."Not yet.""Then how do you know all this?""Because I have another advantage.""What?", he looked confused "I know what Caspian wants."His eyes remained fixed on mine."He wants power. He wants acceptance and he wants access."I paused."Marrying me gives him all three.""And marrying you gives me what?"I looked at him with a smile on my face