Titan clasped her hand across the table, trying to gauge her reaction to what he said about Miriel. Did she misunderstand? "Look at me,"She slowly and reluctantly raised her head and his thumb smoothed the back of her hand. He took a deep breath before he started speaking."The first day I saw you, I knew somewhere within me that you would come to mean more. But I didn't want you to mean more, and I tried to evade it. More than anyone I understand the power of emotions and I didn't want to have anything to do with such power.""You know everyone says real love grows stronger with time. But all I can tell you, Olivia, is that my feelings for you scare me. They run so deep, and they have never wavered. Maybe that's why they scare me so much. Or maybe they scare me so much because I'm so used to feeling in control. And what I feel for you, controls me instead."Olivia smiled and kissed his hand, pleased with his heartfelt confession. She could sense his fear and reluctance behind his wor
The birds were chirping at dawn the following morning. Olivia relaxed on Titan's chest and started at the ring on her finger again, turning it this way and that to catch the early morning sunlight. It was her first day as an engaged woman and she was prepared to relish it. Soon she would be a wife. Titan Black's wife. A role she was prepared to slip into like a favourite red dress."Awake already?" Titan asked and she sat up to kiss him. "You were up late with Asher last night," she said. "What were you discussing?""About how I intend to run away to the mountains with you," he said, kissing her."Titan, be serious,""Asher thinks I need to set up a meeting with the pack and family heads to announce our wedding,""And let me guess you're apprehensive about their reservations.""I don't care, nor do I give a shit about their bloody reservations. And I am not asking for permission, I'm only telling them as a formality and disbursing invites. That's pretty much it.""But you do know that
The big day had arrived. After a month of overplanning, firing over fifteen planners, thanks to Maya's pregnancy hormones flying through the roof, fighting through budget constraints, and bickering about the food and the guest list, the big day had finally arrived. It had been an overwhelming month. Olivia had found herself besieged with demands. First, from everything the ceremony required and then from her own body. In the last few days of the last month, she'd found herself dealing with irritability, mood swings, and nausea at odd times of the day. Perhaps her body was overreacting to all of the physical stress, but standing in her wedding lingerie, her hair packed in a neat stylish chignon, and her face neatly done in flawless make up, she knew it was all worth it. Today was the first day of a new month. It would be memorable, celebratory, and a day in time to always remember and cherish.Maya came inside, dressed in her burnt orange stylish gown, which the other bridesmaids Cel
Titan noticed Olivia excuse herself from her guests to find a bathroom. He excused himself and went to find Maya who was chatting animatedly with a couple of guests. He simply dragged her away from them, while Maya apologised for the unexpected intrusion."That wasn't polite Titan,""What's wrong with Olivia? Is she feeling okay? She went into the bathroom a few minutes ago looking uncomfortable." Maya shrugged. "I asked her about it and she said she was fine,""Well, ask her again,""Listen Titan, I'm sure it's nothing but cold feet,""The wedding ceremony is over,""But not the coronation, and don't forget the pack has never truly accepted her. They are just here out of grudging respect.""Olivia knows that the only decision and acceptance that matters here is mine. Just go get her from the ladies bathroom. The coronation is going to start anytime soon,"Maya turned around and walked in to get Olivia, who was staring at the mirror feeling like there was something terribly wrong with
Mellor watched her from the small pond in his habitat. He knew she was not yet awake, because the force that had closed Olivia's paranormal nature and encased it within the emptiness he'd seen, was fighting to keep it closed perpetually. What he couldn't detect was why. And who or what this force was. Despite knowing she wasn't awake, he stopped by over the next two days simply to appease Titan. The boy was wracked with worry and he had not had a moment's rest since the shocking events of the coronation. Mellor knew Titan needed his strength as King overseeing the affairs of the Kingdom. But he also knew he would not rest until Olivia woke up. So he rubbed a strong sleep potion on his hand and shook Titan's hand with it when he was leaving.Hours later, Titan awoke with a start. It was five pm in the evening. How the hell had he slept for so long? He washed his face hurriedly and scurried down to Olivia's bedroom. She was still unconscious. Titan sat beside her and slowly stroked her
Asher and Titan were discussing within the confines of Titan's study. "So the war with Israel doesn't look like it's ending anytime soon?"Asher shook his head. "No, it's not. The UN has failed in terms of diplomatic intervention, just like they did in Ukraine.""I wish Israel would rather unleash their fury on Hamas, rather than the whole of Palestine," Titan said wistfully. He usually wasn't sentimental when it came to war, but in this case he would be heartless not to be. Palestine had been in agony for more than seventy five years. "It's hard to believe Israel didn't see this attack coming," Asher said with a shrug. "Not with all that advanced level of intelligence. And it's hard to take a side in this endless war. Both parties are justified.""Ever think it's all going to get settled? I mean this is the third time you have been stationed in Israel.""Some Israelis want peace," Asher admitted. "But it's not their call. Netanyahu would rather die than exist side by side with a Pale
"Yep," Maya said, heaping her plate with more egg salad. "It wasn't easy though. And honestly, you need to get yourself some fans among the pack.""Who needs fans when they have you?" Titan said with a teasing grin. "Seriously you shouldn't have but thank you. This means a lot.""Well, you weren't going back and the coronation is still on hold. Should we have cancelled just because you couldn't convince them to get on Olivia's side?" Maya asked. She looked up and saw Olivia standing in the doorway."Guess whose coronation has been reinstated?" Maya asked her with a giddy smile."Don't tell me you did it,""Of course I managed to do it,""You're such a darling,""I know," Maya said, basking in the praise. Titan showed Olivia the written agreement. "Ever thought about a career in diplomacy and negotiation?" Olivia asked. "You're a natural, so it would suit you.""Doesn't sound like a better alternative to the baby girl lifestyle, but I might consider it."In the following days that race
The party stayed on till dawn. But Olivia and Titan sneaked out early, simply to have their first intimate copulation as royals. It was still surreal and still hard for her to believe and accept that in the space of a year, she had gone from the depths of slavery to the heights of royalty. The lovemaking between them was orgasmic and heated as always. So intense that it was hard to tell when time passed and how much time had passed. The following morning when she opened her eyes, Titan was gone, and she kept her hands on his side of the bed for awhile to savour his warmth, before getting out of the bed to prepare for the day. No doubt, Mellor would eagerly make an appearance today to start his lessons and she had to appear as a sharp, incisive and inquisitive student with the most brilliant of minds. Downstairs, she found Harley and Maya seated behind the massive kitchen counter, drinking fresh orange juice from the pitcher between them."No breakfast?" Olivia asked pouring herself