~Cassandra ~
~After Two Weeks~As the full moon rose high in the night sky, casting an ethereal glow over the enchanting forest, the werewolf community gathered to celebrate our momentous occasion- the union of King Lucian and I in our wedding ceremony.The chosen clearing in the heart of the forest had been beautifully adorned with a canopy of intertwined branches and delicate moonflowers.Their fragrance hung in the air, mingling with the anticipation and excitement that permeated every corner. Softly lit lanterns dangled from the trees, casting gentle flickering light across the scene.The guests, a diverse array of werewolves from various packs, arrived, each one radiating an aura of grace and power. They wore their finest attire, a harmonious blend of traditional and modern fashion.The vibrant moonlit scene was filled with elegant werewolves in flowing gowns and dashing suits, their eyes shimmering with the essence of the moon.It was the happiest day of my life. I was getting married to a King! My years of waiting and looking for a mate eventually paid off.Lucian and I stood in front of the priest as he pronounced our union. His voice resonated with wisdom and power as he shared heartfelt words of guidance and blessings, reminding the couple and the entire werewolf community of the importance of love, loyalty, and unity.As the vows were exchanged, the atmosphere filled with an enchanting harmony of howls. Amidst the gasps and applause from the witnesses, Lucian and I sealed our vows with a tender kiss, embracing the power of our love and our unique heritage.The werewolf community erupted into joyous celebration, their howls harmonizing with the sounds of drums and music that resonated through the night.Under the moonlight, Lucian complimented me, saying, "Cassandra, you look absolutely stunning tonight," as we embraced and danced together.Blushing, I thanked him and returned the compliment, acknowledging his handsomeness. He chuckled and kissed me once more.While we continued dancing, one of the Betas approached us and whispered something into Lucian’s ear. After he retracted, Lucian looked at me and smiled.“I have some urgent matters to attend to now, Cassandra. I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’m very sorry.” He uttered, and I shook my head and smiled.“It’s nothing, my husband. Take your time. I was tired of dancing anyway.” I responded and he chuckled. He planted one last kiss on my lips and took long strides away from the dance floor.Keeping a smile on, I walked to the table where different delicacies were served and I picked an apple and munched on it.With a smile still on my face, I made my way to a table adorned with various delicacies. I chose an apple and began munching on it.As I looked around, my gaze landed on Zoe and Frank, who were also enjoying themselves on the dance floor. It felt like a miraculous moment.In that moment, as I savored my apple, I couldn't help but think, "Who would have imagined that someone like me, a lone wolf, would end up becoming a queen?"Suddenly, I felt a pair of hands wrap around me from behind, and turning around, I saw Lucian wearing a wide grin."Hey, my wife," he greeted me."You're back already? That was quick," I replied, wrapping my hands around his neck."I couldn't bear to be away from you any longer," he whispered in my ear, moving his mouth closer. "Let's leave. I have a surprise for you."Excitement filled my eyes, and I eagerly nodded. "Really? I can't wait," I exclaimed, and he reached for my hand."Let's escape before everyone starts overwhelming their king and queen with activities," he suggested, pulling me away from the scene and into the woods.We both laughed as we ran non-stop into the woods. Amidst the laughter, I asked, "Where are we going, Lucian? This is hilarious, escaping our own wedding ceremony.""We'll get there soon," he replied, and we continued running.Eventually, we approached a secluded hut in the heart of the woods. Glancing back to see how far we had come, I realized we had ventured much farther than I had anticipated."And here we are," he announced, his grin widening. His eyes spoke volumes of love and respect."Is the surprise inside?" I inquired, and without delay, he bent down and lifted me off the ground."I can't wait to have you, Cassandra," he said, and we both laughed as we approached the hut.He opened the door without setting me down, and my jaw dropped when I beheld what he had prepared inside.The floor was adorned with an array of beautiful flowers and candles, while rose petals were scattered across the bed."Lucian," I called out, my voice brimming with emotion as he carefully set me down."Don't say my name," he whispered, drawing me closer and placing his hand over my mouth. This time, his kiss felt even more intense, his desire seemingly multiplied.His lips devoured mine, his tongue intertwining with mine. The passion grew so fervent that we lost track of the world around us.He firmly grasped me beneath my backside, lifting me effortlessly from the floor, our kiss unbroken as we moved towards the bed.With a gentle touch, he laid me down on the bed, breaking the kiss. Opening my eyes, I noticed his were still closed, and I watched as he gradually opened them."I love you so deeply, Cassandra," he uttered, his voice filled with overwhelming emotion."I love you too, Lucian," I replied, offering a shy smile. He shook his head and lowered it. "Don't call me Lucian. Call me your husband," he insisted, capturing my lips once again.His hands ventured beneath my clothing, between my thighs, and I gasped, opening my eyes and breaking the kiss."What's the matter?" I faintly heard his voice."It's... it's my first time. No one has ever touched me before," I murmured, shyly covering my face with my hand.He reached for my hand, gently removing it from my face. I opened my eyes and witnessed him smiling so tenderly at me, causing my body to melt."You're absolutely adorable, Cassandra. Don't worry, okay? I'll take it slow," he reassured me, and I nodded, parting my legs beneath him."I'm ready," I responded, wrapping my arms around his neck and drawing him into another passionate kiss.***"Cassandra! Cassandra!" I was abruptly awakened from my slumber by the distant sound of my name. Letting out a soft groan, a smile crept across my face as I reached out my hand to the other side of the bed, hoping to find Lucian.As my eyes slowly opened, I realized there was no one beside me. Sitting up in bed, I scanned the hut, and once again, I heard my name being called from outside."Cassandra!" Lucian's voice reached my ears."Lucian?" I responded happily, hastily grabbing my clothes and quickly dressing myself. I hurried to the door and opened it, revealing a crowd of people gathered in front of the hut and scattered throughout the woods."Cassandra!" Lucian called out when he saw me, rushing over and tightly embracing me, his breath heavy."Oh God... I was so scared. I've been searching for you since last night," he said with worry, examining my face and checking my body to ensure I was alright."What's happening?" I asked, feeling completely bewildered."I've found her! We can stop the search now!" Lucian declared to everyone, and they erupted in cheers and applause."I was terrified, Cassandra. After I finished speaking with the elders of the kingdom, I returned to the dance floor, but you were gone. I searched for you relentlessly, but couldn't locate you.""But..." I began to speak, confusion filling my mind.He pulled me into his arms once again, holding me tightly. "Don't say anything, alright? Let's go home. We can discuss it once everyone has calmed down," he replied, and I reluctantly nodded.Numerous questions flooded my mind at that moment. I wasn't sure what was happening."We spent the night together, so why is he with others, searching for me? Why is he speaking as if we weren't together? Or... did I spend the night with someone else?"~Cassandra~ As we made our way back to the palace, my mind was preoccupied with numerous thoughts. I continuously pondered where I had gone wrong.Upon reaching the house, Lucian accompanied me to the room and gently helped me lie down to rest. He dismissed all the maids, ensuring we had a moment of privacy together."How are you feeling now?" he inquired, his hands busy brushing my hair away from my face."I'm fine," I replied, hoping he wouldn't delve further into what had transpired the previous night. However, deep down, I knew it was unlikely."I'm relieved to have found you. What happened, Cassandra? I was so scared. I could barely breathe when I realized you were missing," he expressed, his face reflecting genuine concern."I'm sorry, Lucian. I was taken away from the party by Zoe," I fabricated, hoping he wouldn't uncover the truth and simply believe my words."She wanted us to spend one last night together before I fully embraced married life. I intended to inform you before
~Cassandra~ After our conversation, Zoe and I took a brief nap, and when we woke up, it was already evening. Zoe sat up, wearing a smile, and I followed suit.With a sigh, I expressed my fear to Zoe, saying, "Zoe, I'm scared. Starting my marriage with lies doesn't seem right, don't you think?" I wiped my face with my hand as I spoke."It's already done, Cassie. You've already lied to him. There's no turning back now. You have to act as if nothing happened and show him the wife he married," Zoe replied, reaching for my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.I let out another sigh and nodded. "He wants us to recreate our wedding night...""Then let's recreate it. Make love to him, Cassie. Even more passionately than last night. Be in love and let him help you forget what happened between you and the person you slept with," Zoe retorted, and I slowly nodded in agreement."But shouldn't I know who it was and why he resembled Lucian so much? If it was a spirit or a doppelganger, shouldn't I
~Cassandra~ After blowing off all the candles, I untied my robe and let it slip off my body. Lucian climbed onto the bed, slowly approaching me.Even in the darkness, I could see his figure illuminated by the moonlight streaming through his window.His eyes held a mix of desire, love, and lust. His fingers traced a slow path up my legs as he crawled towards me, sending tingles through my body.I locked my gaze with his, watching him draw nearer, each breath intensifying the moment. He leaned in, planting a kiss on my neck, his grip on the side of my head tightening gradually.I closed my eyes and tilted my head back, feeling an overwhelming sensation coursing through me. His kiss on my neck grew deeper, as if he wanted to leave his mark."Hmm," I moaned, gripping his head and pulling him up by his hair, bringing our faces together.Without hesitation, I captured his lips with mine, kissing him deeply and taking in his presence. Each peck lasted a long time, and I breathed heavily.Br
~Lucian~~The next day~ As the sun's rays pierced through the window of my chamber, I squinted and opened my eyes. The first thing that caught my blurry vision upon opening my eyes was Cassandra lying beside me. I blinked twice to bring clarity to the scene, and a smile instantly brightened my face.Even in her sleep, she exuded the same timeless beauty. Though I didn't want to disturb her peaceful slumber, I couldn't resist the temptation to touch her face. Gently running my fingers along the side of her face, she stirred slightly, tightening her eyes.A soft moan escaped her lips, accompanied by a gentle smile lighting up her face. "Good morning, sleeping beauty," I whispered, and she opened her eyes, still maintaining her smile. "Good morning, my handsome husband," she replied, causing a chuckle to escape me."If only you knew how incredible it feels to wake up with you by my side. It's the most wonderful sensation," I responded, and she reached out to touch my face, nodding i
~Lucian ~ We settled in the throne room, where I took a seat on the throne while Damian occupied one of the chairs to my right."I'm all ears," I said, propping my chin on my hands and gazing at him intently."Thank you, Lucian. As I mentioned earlier, I am Damian, your twin brother who was separated from you since birth. It all began before we were even born. King and Queen Walker were unable to have a child for many years, and they eventually decided to seek alternative means to secure an heir," he explained, and his story made me scoff."Are you suggesting that King Walker isn't my father?" I asked, feeling a strange mix of emotions towards him."I never said that. Can you please let me finish?" he requested, and I swallowed, nodding in agreement."The only reason I'm here talking to you is because of our striking resemblance," I murmured, leaning back. He nodded and resumed speaking."During the reign of King and Queen Walker, there was a maid named Melissa. The queen confided in
~Cassandra~ As I stood there, gazing at the man seated in the throne room, who bore an uncanny resemblance to my husband, memories of my encounter with the stranger came rushing back in an instant.The intensity with which he locked eyes with me spoke volumes, though I couldn't fully comprehend its meaning. And when he called out my name, everything seemed to fall into place.It was the same way the stranger had addressed me back in the hut."He is that stranger," I thought, hastily making my way out of the throne room and rushing to my own quarters.Entering the room, I slammed the door shut behind me, leaning against it for support as my heart raced and a multitude of thoughts flooded my mind.Looking at him, I sensed a peculiar yet undeniable connection. I didn't need anyone to confirm that he was the stranger I had spent that night with in the woods, but it left me with even more questions."Why is he here? Who is he to Lucian? Why are they so alike? Why did he do what he did to
~Lucian~ Upon arriving at the temple, I observed Priest Elsen positioned in front of it, accompanied by approximately five disciples who were collecting leaves. "Priest Elsen!" I called out, and he raised his head to meet my gaze. The moment he saw me, a smile illuminated his face, and he gradually approached me. Each passing second seemed to age Priest Elsen further. Compared to our last encounter, his walking pace had noticeably slowed.He relied on his staff for support, his back was more hunched, and his balance had deteriorated. "I'll come to you, Priest Elsen," I expressed, causing him to pause as I swiftly approached. Reaching him, I grasped his right hand while one of his disciples held onto his left."I apologize, King Lucian. Old age continues to afflict me each day," he spoke, his voice cracking and struggling to emerge."I'm sorry, Priest Elsen, but you still appear quite distinguished," I playfully remarked, prompting a chuckle from him."Indeed, I do."After enterin
~Cassandra~ After Lucian departed from my chamber, I took a seat at the edge of my bed, lost in my thoughts for a few minutes. Eventually, I rose and made my way to the closet, intending to select the perfect attire for the upcoming party when a knock interrupted me.A feminine voice from outside my door spoke, "My Queen, King Lucian has requested us to bring you an outfit and assist with your preparations for the party.""Please come in," I replied, and the door swung open, revealing three maids carrying various items in their hands. One held the outfits, another had lotions and scents on a towel, while the third carried a makeup box."I would like Zoe to attend as well. Please prepare an outfit for her," I requested, and they bowed in acknowledgment."We already have one prepared, Your Majesty. King Lucian arranged it for her," they informed me, and a smile formed on my lips. I was impressed by his thoughtfulness."That's wonderful. Let's get started then. I would love to have a mi
~Cassandra~ ~After A Year~ “Good morning!” I heard Zoe’s loud voice from my slumber, causing me to tighten my eyes in discomfort.“Wake up! I have good news!” She continued talking in a loud voice and even jumped on my bed, forcing my eyes open. “Shhh! You’ll wake Darian up!” I mumbled, hastily throwing a glance at the baby bed that was placed not so far from my bed. He was the first person I was concerned about. “Relax, Cassie. Damian and Lucian are playing with him already. He woke up and began to cry so they took him away before he could wake you up.” Zoe further explained, and I raised my eyebrows. “Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize he wasn’t here. I was up all through the night because he kept wanting to eat.” I grumbled, lifting my body off the bed and sitting up. “Well, for the tenth time in three months, welcome to motherhood,” Zoe answered, causing me to smile. Three months ago, I conceived and gave birth to Darian. Everyone in the kingdom was happy. We finally have such
~ Lucian ~ When we got closer to the palace, I realized that the people who had left before had arrived again. Bernard must have sent some of his people to summon them. Deep down, I wanted to break free and teach him a lesson, but somehow, I felt extremely weak. I was a Lycan, why wouldn’t I summon the wolf in me? While tied to the church, I tried too hard to reach that locked-up power inside of me, but it was so hard, I couldn’t even brush the surface. It wasn’t really surprising because I never really used that part of me. I never found any reason to, and now it seemed like it was gone. Like my Lycan power was dead completely. I also couldn’t believe I chose to trade my throne for Cassandra’s life. At the point of death, I realized I still loved her and saw her as my wife, regardless of everything that had happened between us. The soldiers that went with us were armed and more in number compared to the guards at the palace. I knew they had no chance right from when I set my ey
~Sara~ “I hired Sara and Agatha to act like my family so that we could execute our plans better. The fact is, I am single, but I won’t mind having your wife as my queen when I inherit the throne.” Bernard uttered with a smirk. “Go f**k yourself.” Lucian spat angrily. I couldn’t look them in the eyes because I knew they were disappointed, and they hated me already. I kept my head lowered as I let my guilt taunt me. “I think I’ve done enough talking. We need to get down to business.” Bernard uttered. “Now to you…” He added, making his way back to the bed where Cassandra lay. “Your life is tied to whatever Lucian wants.” He uttered, raising his hand to touch her hair. “Don’t you dare touch her!” Lucian growled, causing Bernard’s hand to hang in the air. “I hate you,” Cassandra mumbled, staring at him in a disgusted manner. “Well, I never liked you. So here is what we are going to do. We are going to match down to the kingdom right now, call everyone together, and then you’ll anno
~Damian~ Getting to the house where Sara told me to hide in the meantime, I wasn’t at rest. Something felt so wrong, but I found it so hard to figure it out. I couldn’t stop thinking about Cassie and the palace as a whole. What was going on? Was it a good idea to run off in such a heated moment? Shouldn’t I have taken Cassie along with me? That guilty thought and part of me kept resurfacing. And I couldn’t help but feel bad. It was like I ran away from the problem that was looming around those I love. I felt like a coward. Heaving out a deep sigh, I raised my head and stared at the ceiling, thinking about what I was going to do next. ‘If Cassie doesn’t get here in the next forty-eight hours, then I have to return to the palace. Hopefully, Lucian won’t ask for my head on a platter of gold.’ While I was lost in thoughts, trying to cook up my next big plan, a knock came on the door. Surprised and excited, I sprang to my feet and ran to the door. “Cassie?” I called, opening the d
~Cassandra~ I felt disgusted as Bernard exposed his tobacco-damaged teeth when he smiled. I should have always suspected him. I should have always known that something was so fishy about them. How they came into our lives was pretty suspicious. But who could have imagined it would turn out like this? Damian came into our lives the same way, and he’s one of the reasons I’m still fighting to stay alive. “What do you mean by that? What games are you trying to play, Uncle…” “I told you I’m not your uncle! Call me Bernard! And I’m playing no games. This is reality. The earlier you realize that the better for you.” He disrespectfully cut Lucian’s short, letting him choke on his own words. In awe, Lucian turned to look at me, and I shook my head, feeling so bad for us. “Fine. If you’re not my uncle, then can you please tell me who you are?” Lucian retorted, trying to keep on that bold, masculine look, but I could perceive that this layer was pretty thin. He was going to lose it any m
~Bernard~ I headed back to the palace after Cassandra opened her eyes. Before I fetch Lucian, I need to do one more thing. I needed to convince the people that I was the right king for them. After that, I need him to come in front of the people and renounce his throne to the people. Hopefully, he was going to cherish his life and that of his wife so that that would happen. Getting back to the palace, I saw the people were beginning to exit the building. They still murmured things to each other nonstop. When some of them saw me, they diverted their attention to me. “Where were you, Mr. Bernard? We expected you to be in the hall too so that you can support our claims. You were the one that told us everything that has been happening. Why didn’t you show up?” One of the elderly men spoke up. “Yes, that is true. You should have been there to call him a liar to his face. How do you prove to me that you’re the one we want when you were absent?” Another woman added. “Relax, everyone. I
~Sara~ After making sure we were very far from the kingdom, I stopped running. Damian also stopped and turned to look at me. “What’s wrong? Why did you stop?” He asked, our chests rising and falling due to our intense breathing. “I need to go back. No one can know I snuck out with you. But I need you to keep going. Don’t look back.” I warned him, and he nodded. “Remember your promise, Sara. You promised me you’d help Cassie too.” He retorted, and I gulped hard and nodded slowly. “Yes, I will.” I lied. How was I supposed to help her? My father got her already and there was no going back this time. Only the gods could shift the death lurking around her. “Okay. Thank you, Sara. I’ll be in the house you prepared. Bye.” He uttered as he took to his heels again. Watching him leave, a relieved sigh escaped my lips. I was so glad I could save him from my parents. He had been so nice to me and I wasn’t going to take it for granted. I had described the path to our former kingdom to him,
~Lucian~ “We want another king! Give us another king!” The persistent voices of the people pierced the door of the hall where they were, hitting my earbuds mercilessly. Shaking off the fear that began to rise in me, I occupied my mind with the words that I had planned to say to them. I kept repeating the words in my head as I walked into the hall. The voices of the people multiplied greatly when they saw me, and it seemed like if I wasn’t very careful, they were going to pounce on me. Even though guards surrounded me, it didn’t seem like enough protection. I raised my hand, hoping to see if they still had little regard for me, and I wasn’t disappointed. The roaring and murmurings stopped instantly. “Thank you,” I uttered in a loud voice before I proceeded to what exactly I wanted to say. “Good evening, people of this kingdom! Your complaints have reached my ears, and I think it’s only fair that you let me share my own side of the story too, don’t you think?” I asked, and I got a
~Cassandra~ I headed to Lucian’s chamber with so many thoughts running through my head. How were we supposed to handle the situation on ground? I knew Lucian wasn’t his best self, but I still needed to talk to him about Damian too. I hated that Damian was locked up in a cell for no reason. Getting to his chamber, I walked in and met him pacing at the cover of his study. “Lucian,” I called, but he ignored me and kept pacing. I heaved a sigh and moved closer to him. “Can you stop pacing? You’re making me dizzy.” I retorted, causing him to abruptly stop. “What do you want?” He asked in a cold manner, keeping his gaze off me. “What are we going to do now? I don’t understand what has come over these people anymore. Are we not going to do something?” I asked worriedly, and he scoffed, finally looking at me. “What do you want me to do, huh? I know you all are happy with how everything is going. You don’t have to pretend like you are worried.” He responded and continued his pacing aga