I was sitting at the large table while Darren was shaking each representative’s hand. Everyone there had signed the agreement. They were now rushing back to mobilize for war. In just two days, we would all be meeting in the Stony Plains. That wasn’t a lot of time to mobilize and move a small army, so they had to act quickly.“This kingdom is yours. Why are you taking a back seat right now?” A woman with broad shoulders and muscular arms stepped next to my seat. Her dark skin gleamed under the soft lights of the room, her muscles defined and powerful. But what caught my attention were her eyes, a striking silver that seemed to almost glow in the dimness. It was like looking into pools of liquid metal.“I’m still learning about this kingdom. What does something being mine by blood mean? Does that immediately make me a more fit ruler? I don’t look at this as taking a back seat. I think it’s a joint effort. The goal is to take care of the kingdom and the people.”“You don’t seem like a stu
I could feel the anger pulsating through Darren as I gripped his hand. He barely said a word as we made it back up to the balcony where Lyle and Ivan were still standing. Finn had beaten us there by running back up the wall.Darren stopped a few feet away from them, his gaze cold and piercing. “I want answers.”Lyle stepped forward, his usually calm demeanor replaced with a fierce intensity. His chest was heaving and his lips were curled back. I had never seen him this angry. “I’m not leaving your side again. Next time you say you need to use the restroom, I’m waiting outside the door. This is my fault, Dare ... I should have followed her. Why didn’t I follow her? I—”“I’m not upset with you Lyle. This wasn’t your fault.” Darren’s voice was very calm, but there was no mistaking the chill in his tone. It was a false calmness. A storm was raging just below the surface.“You asked me to watch over her while you were busy ... I failed you.”I never realized how desperate Lyle was to pleas
Darren“I didn’t touch her. I would never harm my unborn grandchild,” my mother said as I listened to Lyle scoff angrily.“You see? Right there, mom! You just said you would never harm your grandchild ... you didn’t say you would never harm Lissa, which would have been the obvious thing to say.”“She didn’t mean it like that, son. She was saying, ‘even more reason for me not to harm her.’” My father looked at me as I shook my head. My blood was boiling, but I was trying to keep it at a manageable level. At least for now.“Why do you resent me so much, Lyle? You immediately accuse me of things. You never have faith in me. Why?” I glanced over at Lyle. My mother had a point there. A few years ago, my brother’s attitude changed toward my mother. I thought maybe it was worse because of the whole accident with my parents, but it was something more.“Because you are not just my mother. You were a Waiting Lady.” Lyle’s expression was unforgiving as if he just called her out for being a spy.
AllissaFrustrated curses escaped Ivan’s lips as they pushed through the dense maze of bushes. “Fucking bugs.”“They’re beautiful.” I smiled as we navigated through the maze. Ivan growled as we walked through the tall barrier bushes. Brightly colored flowers grew from the colorful leaves that attracted hundreds of butterflies. The vibrant colors of the foliage were dotted with bright flowers, each one a magnet for the fluttering butterflies. Their wings flapped in a dance of shades and patterns.Ivan swatted away, keeping his arm raised in protection as Finn chuckled.“Some protector he is.” Finn glanced over at me. “You should probably stick closer to me.”“You are the worst bug of all,” Ivan growled, moving closer to me.“Bug?” Finn stopped walking to glare at Ivan.“I hate mosquitos.”It seemed like a harmless thing to say, but Finn’s eyes glowed red! His fangs protruded as he glared at Ivan. I’d always wondered about vampire fangs. Like, were they just to puncture and then they d
“It’s a message.” I watched as Finn reached down to inspect the blood-stained cloth wrapped around something small. “Looks like a vampire left the message for him.” I watched as he analyzed the area, putting a picture together.I stared at the cloth. That was Alfred’s blood, and it was clearly a message for me. Did he spill his own blood, or did something happen? I watched as Finn carefully unwrapped the cloth to reveal a small wooden box. Carefully, he undid the latch, flipping the lid open. There was a letter in there. I could see what was written on the outside clearly ... it was my name.I felt Ivan’s grip on my shoulder tighten as Finn looked at me.“It’s her letter, Ivan. We don’t have a right to refuse for her to read it, if that’s what she wants.”I stepped away from Ivan, taking the letter from Finn’s hand. Slowly, I broke the seal and unfolded the paper, scanning the contents.Allissa, there is so much that I want to talk to you about, but I can’t think or focus. What have yo
A white blur leaped over the hedge, landing directly in front of me. My beautiful, powerful mate with the same green captivating eyes. He shifted, and a second later, I was in his arms. He spun me swiftly, my back pressed against his solid chest. His warm breath teased my neck before he suddenly clamped down on my earlobe. A surprised yip escaped my lips, but he didn’t release his grip. Instead, he stood behind me, gently biting and tugging on the sensitive skin of my earlobe. The sensation sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn’t help but lean into him, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. It was unexpected yet exhilarating, and I found myself lost in the moment as he continued to nibble on my earlobe with gentle intensity.“Dare—” I started to say but he growled against my ear. Nibbling on the skin but never releasing his grip.Let me calm down. His voice entered my mind. Thinking about it like this was a bit funny. He was like a wild beast, gnawing on me to soothe his tur
It took a moment for the sun to shine through the canopy of butterflies, casting a kaleidoscope of dazzling colors into the air. The delicate creatures fluttered their wings in unison, creating a mesmerizing dance of light and movement. Each wing was adorned with intricate patterns and vibrant hues. As they took flight, the colors mixed and merged, creating a beautiful symphony for the eyes to behold. It was like witnessing a burst of confetti, but more magical.Darren’s hand put pressure on my waist as he led me forward. With each step, hundreds of butterflies erupted and took to the skies. The ground was covered in colorful flowers that had a sweet scent. It must have been a super attractant judging by the concentration of butterflies in this area.“Ally.” He spun me into his chest, holding me tightly against him. “Ally, I can’t bear this feeling. I feel like I’m about to lose you, and I’m panicking.”“Dare, you aren’t going to lose me—”“He was your mate first, even if he was a shi
DarrenI was lying on my back while my beautiful mate was hovering between my legs. Okay, I admit, this is not the scenario I had pictured. I planned on worshiping her body, but as soon as our clothes were off, she shoved me to the ground.“It’s time for the world to know who you belong to,” she purred as she traced her finger over the tip of my hard cock. My chest was heaving as she lowered her head. She popped the tip in her mouth and I moaned loudly. Her wet-hot mouth bobbed down until my tip reached her throat. She was taking all of me in.She began to hum as she sucked on me harder. Gods, it felt like she was going to suck my skin off, and I was a mess. Electric tingles rippled through my body making my toes curl in response to the heavenly sensations she was bringing.“Gods, Ally.” I tangled my fingers in her hair as I pumped into her mouth. Her breasts were stroking against my balls, her hard nipples teasing my skin. It was so hot, making me even harder. Her hand cupped under m
“The watch is hot, but it was cold when it was first given to me. The heat from the watch is a type of energy, but what does it mean?!” Fury was trying to help me. She was giving me tiny hints the best way she could. I needed to think about everything she had told me. Every word could be a tip.“Gujin is a messenger. Was that his way of telling you the watch is a message?”It made sense. Maybe even Gujin was trying to leave me a clue. I guess neither one was able to tell me anything, which was frustrating, especially when they may have been involved. That would mean that Gujin knew what happened to my father. I know I’m meant to figure it out on my own, because it seems like this is the type of game the gods enjoy.“You know what? One mystery at a time.” I sighed and brushed my hair behind my ear. “So the guards have found some evidence of brainwashing?”“Evidence of ... manipulation. Mind games. Enough that it has convinced my father. He’s with mom now. He decided to talk with her an
AllissaI thought that becoming the queen would make me feel different. But I was still just me. Lyle followed me everywhere and was always helping me. There were a lot of boring things I had to read and sign. I wonder how Darren managed to stay awake. I honestly felt myself dozing several times. Luckily for me, I could blame the pregnancy.“Issy, look, this just arrived from Darren!” Lyle ran to me with childlike excitement.My fingers moved so fast as I dove into the letter. It had been days since I’d heard from him. I felt my eyes watering up. His words reflected exactly how I felt. I wish I could see him … I wish I could hold him. I wonder if he knew I was the queen now? At least I knew he was okay, but it did little to heal the aching pain in my chest.“He’s okay.” I smiled, glancing up at Lyle’s relieved eyes. “Sounds like the battles have been steady. I’ve been so worried—” The tears welled up in my eyes as I held his letter to my chest. I had barely been hanging on. My mate was
DarrenI dragged another fallen enemy across the blood-soaked earth, my body screaming in protest.“Another one,” I grunted to myself, tossing the limp form atop the pile with a dull thud. I wiped the sweat from my brow as I looked over the battlefield. It had been a non-stop onslaught for days. I haven’t even had time to send a message to Ally. I can imagine her blue eyes as she sits in our bedroom. She was probably worried and each day without contact would make it worse. I have been fighting to the brink of exhaustion. Collapsing for an hour or two of sleep and then right back at it.There were so many vampires … many were new. When they took over these towns, those who lived there either became food or new vampires. They were building their army. If that wasn’t enough, the demons who have joined them were also well prepared.I was barely able to catch my breath and another battle would arrive. I surveyed the chaos around me, that had become a frequent sight. In all honesty, we nee
I had no clue who or what I was looking at. A small, delicate person? Or something more like a fairy? The figure was small, no taller than a child, but it radiated an otherworldly power that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Delicate, translucent wings fluttered behind her, her skin as white as ivory. She wore a white, shimmering gown that flowed around her. Her face was impossibly beautiful, with high cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes that seemed to glow with an inner fire. But it was her expression that truly captivated me. A fierce determination and cold detachment that sent a shiver down my spine.The way she was staring at me almost looked aggressive, which made me defensive.“Who are you? What do you want with me?” I demanded, injecting as much authority into my voice as I could muster.“I haven’t decided yet.” Her voice was cold as her eyes fixated on mine.“You haven’t decided who you are, or you haven’t decided what you want with me? I asked you two questions
“Is this really necessary?” I pouted as I felt the heavy robe draped over my shoulders. It was not only heavy, but I felt like I was in a sauna.“It’s traditional. All of the crowned royals wore this robe.” Lyle’s blue eyes sparkled in amusement as I grumbled. “The weight represents the burden of leadership. Besides, you look rather fetching in it. Like a true queen.”“A sweaty, irritable queen,” I muttered, but then a realization came over me. “It’s never been washed … has it?”Lyle boomed out a loud laugh. “No, it’s not washed. It’s only worn for a few hours for the ceremony, and—”“I’m caked in a stranger’s sweat.”“Darren wore it last.” Lyle smirked at me.“It doesn’t have his scent.” I sighed, staring at the mirror. There was still no message from Darren. He knew I would be worried, and I knew he would reach out to me as soon as he could. I knew he was alive, but that was the extent of it. How bad were things for them right now? “It feels weird to be doing this without him here.”
My first night away from Darren was torture. I tossed and turned,missing his warmth next to me. I was so dependent on him. Every day away from him was going to be hard. I knew that, but I guess I wasn’t fully prepared for the loneliness. I was missing a piece of me, and I couldn’t be whole without him.Lyle stayed with me until the early morning hours, trying to keep my mind off Darren. He put on movies and told me stories. But as soon as he left, Darren was all I could think about. How was the battle? Was he resting? Did he get hurt? So many questions, and there was no way to get answers. I had to wait for him to contact me.I looked at myself in the mirror as I finished applying my lip gloss. Today, I was going to be crowned queen. I didn’t look like a queen … I didn’t feel like a queen. I was just me. I wonder if all leaders felt like this?“This is as good as I get,” I said to myself with a shrug, looking at my reflection. I opened the door to my bedroom and there was Lyle, leaning
I was surprised as we walked through the tower. The place was beautiful. It was well decorated and had every luxury. I mean … lock me up with Darren in here and I could stay forever. The punishment of being here was two things: shame and freedom. Other than that, Winifred could easily live a comfortable life here. And maybe that was an option. But if she had been brainwashed, then there was a chance to reunite their family.As we entered the grand room, my eyes landed on a group of maids meticulously cleaning every nook and cranny. The sunlight peeking through the windows was dimmed by the richly colored tapestries that adorned them, casting an eerie glow over the space. The only source of light came from the flickering flames of the fireplace, where Milo sat in a lush red armchair, his gaze fixated on the dancing embers.“Dad, have you eaten anything?” Lyle asked as he approached him. Milo didn’t respond and simply kept staring at the orange glow.I grabbed a chair and pulled it up be
“It’s my father. He’s depressed, and I don’t know what to do. He isn’t eating. Issy. He is taking this thing with mom so hard. I’ve never seen him like this.” I could see the pain in Lyle’s eyes. He also looked tired. I was sure it had been a heavy burden on him, running the kingdom in a time of war.“I’m here to help. I’m not going anywhere. As you can see, the little pup is growing quickly. I think I’m a bit farther along. This happened before I went into heat, even though Darren used precaution. Unless, because we are both powerful lycans, things have sped up?”“All lycan pregnancies are different, but royal pregnancies have always been unpredictable. And you are the true royal … I’m guessing that has a lot to do with this.” I listened as he sighed. “How is Darren?”“Getting ready to head into Catata as we speak.” I pursed my lips together. “I want to be by his side.”“I do, too,” Lyle admitted. “I’m glad you’re here. I can use your help. There is also one more thing … and I hate t
The next few days were busy. They created a new strategy and decided they would head to Catata after the naga arrived. From there, they would continue to push into vampire territory, going in aggressive and hard. They intended to launch a full assault with the sorcerers and fairies, then come in with the muscles. They had created new enchantments for the soldiers and protection spells against the demons, pulling up the old archives of what they used before and adding to them. The element of surprise was now gone, and they were better prepared. Hopefully, this meant no more heavy losses for our alliance.My nights with Darren had been pure fire. His lips touched every inch of my body. He whispered how much he loved me over my skin, as if he were trying to engrave the words on my body. Our lovemaking had always been passionate, but these past nights … there was an urgency, a desperation that left me breathless.“Thinking of me?” Darren whispered as his arms pulled me to his chest.“I was