Aliyah
We left the guests in the palace before midnight, but they continued to celebrate our wedding, maybe until the early hours of the morning. Mother Grace and Father Desmund promised to take care of our guests. After all, the celebration wasn't about my union with Ashton. It was also about politics and ensuring alliances to solidify relationships with neighboring countries and ensure peace and prosperity for our people in the years to come.
As for our honeymoon, Ashton took me to a secluded island where we could finally have some time alone. By a chopper, he landed us smoothly on top of a building that he personally owned, overlooking the crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches below.
"This will be our room, Your Majesty," Ashton said in a deep voice as he carried me in his arms, making me feel like the luc
King AshtonFive days earlier...Bringing Aliya back here in Jadeisles was a huge relief in my chest. After all, this was her ancestral home. I learned her real identity when I did my own research in the castle’s library. During that same period, Aliyah was still in Wyoming, fabricating a way to humiliate Brayden on his own inauguration day.As my studies progressed, I discovered that Aliyah was the last blood relative of Alpha King Hermes Everhart. However, his great-grandson, Alpha Amir, traveled to the United States to increase the impact on our people. That was where he met Aliyah's mother, a human with seer and banshee abilities.Learning about Aliyah's background drove me to protect her even more, because everyone would exploit her and manipulate
Aliyah I was in my third month of pregnancy. If I were a normal human, my condition was only equivalent to the first trimester of the way through. But as a part-lycan, my pregnancy progressed much faster, and now my belly was already in the full-term stage. The babies inside me were growing rapidly, and I could feel their movements more and more each day. Grandma Tasha said that I wouldn't be able to shift during the duration of my pregnancy, as it would be too risky for both me and the babies. And since she muted my seer and banshee energies, I felt more vulnerable than ever. The only comfort I had was knowing that my babies would soon be my new bundle of joy, and that I had a strong support system around me. Aside from Grandma Tasha and Ashton, Mother Grace and Father Desmund were so excited to welcome their grandchildren into the world.
Aliyah"I'm here to make sure you don't forget where you came from.""No…" I stepped back, dread was creeping up my spine. "You can't be him. You're not real."I didn't want to say his name, as I didn't even want to acknowledge the possibility that he could be standing in front of me. But deep down, I knew the truth—my past was catching up with me faster than I had anticipated. I knew he wasn't the type to be easily knocked off, not because he was strong, but because he was just an obsessive bastard."How did you get here?" I managed to choke. I turned around and spotted the medical staff who were getting water for me. She looked at me with concern, sensing my distress, so she hurriedly called the royal guards standing nearby.
King Ashton"Are you alright, Your Majesty?" my personal royal guard asked. We were already half an hour away from the first pack which I would be visiting, but my wolf kept on growling in agitation."No, actually," I muttered, shaking my head. I was used to riding in a limousine for business trips, but just after a couple of minutes, I suddenly felt nauseous. My heart was beating rapidly, and my head was spinning. "Something is wrong."Fishing my phone out of my pocket, I quickly dialed Aliyah's number, checking if she was feeling the same way. It took several rings before it was picked up. I immediately asked, "How are you doing, my love? Please tell me you're okay."There was only silence on the other line, causing my anxiety to spike even more. After a few moments of
AliyahI wanted to punch Brayden in the face as he carried me through the dark halls. However, all of my strength was gone, and all I could feel was pain, particularly in my pelvic area. Am I going to give birth here? My mind raced with fear as I asked Brayden. "W-where are you taking me?""Oh, babe. Just relax. We're in the hospital.""H-hospital?"I tried to look around with my hazy sight. It might look like a hospital, but it was an abandoned one. The walls were covered in mold, and the smell of decay lingered in the air. Brayden's smile made my belly cramp even more as he whispered, "You and your baby will be safe here.""This is the opposite of being safe!" I hissed, trying to push myself away from him. "P-put me down!"
King Ashton Queen Astrid's Hospital was an abandoned human hospital that stopped functioning years ago. It was due to a lack of funding and resources, leaving the building in a state of disrepair. I stood in front of the building as I looked up to the window on the top floor. My wolf was growling at the thought that my pregnant wife had been kept in such a decrepit place. "So she's up there?" Camilla asked as she stood behind me. "Wow, that Brayden must be so desperate to have your wife, huh? Will I rip his head now, so we can bring your mate back home?" I shook my head, still looking upward. "I've underestimated him before, I won't make that mistake again." I turned to her, who was looking around as though she felt a sense of danger lurking in the shadows. "I can't thank you enough, Camilla. I never thought I wo
AliyahI was running; my clothes were bloody and torn from the branches that scratched against my skin. The sound of footsteps behind me grew louder, and I knew I had to find a place to hide before it was too late. Why was I even out here alone in the woods at night, escaping from something I didn't understand?Suddenly, I stepped on a sharp rock, causing me to stumble and fall to the ground. I tried to stand up, but I couldn't."Aliyah…"I raised my head to see a figure emerging from the darkness, calling my name. "Who are you?""You must come back," the silky voice said."Come back, where?""To your family."
AliyahOnce, I was a slave who was insulted and belittled. Despite my horrible background, I never stop loving and believing. And Ashton, despite his rough exterior, proved that true love can heal even the darkest wounds. The love we shared helped us to survive and thrive, demonstrating that love truly conquers all as the years go by. Our path together was difficult, but it was worth every moment of struggle and hardship. Love truly has the power to transform lives and bring light to even the most dreary of places.“Are you sure they’ll be okay?” I asked Ashton as we watched the twins wave at us before sliding in the limo. From here in the castle, we will have the royal security personnel accompany them to the airport and take them to their flight.Ashton put his arm around me and said, “Trust them, love. Archer and Austin just turned twenty yesterday. They are old enough to manage the pack in Wyoming on their own. Plus, they have each other for support.”“And more than anything else,
HeatherI cupped my mouth, and tears streamed down my eyes after reading the paternity test result Olga had given me."It's… It's 99.9% accurate," I managed to choke out. "So Dunstan is wrong. He doesn't own any of my kids. They are all fathered by Ivik." I smiled widely, but tears still continued to flow down my face. The truth finally lifted off my shoulders, removing the confusion and doubt that had plagued me for so long."I told you, girl. Everything's going to be alright," Olga said, patting my shoulder. And then we both gazed at the triplets, who were playing board games on the living room floor, their laughter filling the room. Toby also joined them, although they still didn't know that he was their uncle, despite the fact that he was just their age."So when are you telling them that Ivik is their real father?" Olga inquired.I exhaled heavily. "If not for Dunstan, maybe I had
That night, as Ivik and I were already in bed, we held each other tightly, finding peace in each other's presence. Ivik was brushing my cheek with his thumb; his touch was gentle and comforting. He was smiling, as though he had finally found the missing piece of his heart."Are you sure about giving a chance to Sierra?" Ivik asked."It's not about her, Ivik," I said, giving him a small smile. "It's about the kid. No matter how troublesome his mother is, the child is innocent and deserves a chance at a better life. We can't let our personal feelings get in the way of doing what's right for them. Plus, he's our kid's uncle. Don't you want to introduce him to them?"He nodded with a sigh. You're right. And I'm exhausted of hatred. There's no good in holding onto grudges and letting them consume us." Ivik shifted and laid closer to me, facing me. "I want our kids to grow up in a world where love and understanding prevail. But that doesn't mean I will not punish Sier
HeatherI sat on the grass for a while, running for my breath. Sweats kept on pouring down my face, evidence of the intense training I had just completed. The sun was beginning to set, but its warm glow still illuminated the horizon, creating a beautiful golden hue across the landscape of Crimson Groove.Ivik walked toward me, giving me a bottle of water as he sat down beside me. His own face was glistening with sweat, but he seemed unfazed by the strenuous training. "You did great out there. I can tell you've been working hard to improve your skills."I smiled gratefully, taking a sip of the refreshing water before responding, "Thanks, Ivik. Your training sessions have really pushed me to my limits, but it's all worth it to become a better fighter.""Being a fighter doesn't just require physical strength and skill, pumpkin," Ivik replied, tugging a small strand of my hair playfully. "It also requires mental fortitude and determination. You've been a figh
HeatherWhy was this happening to me? I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn't step on or hurt anyone. I achieved my dreams without causing harm to anyone. Yet, here I was, facing a situation that seemed completely unfair and undeserved.As Dunstan touched me in a way that I didn't like at all, I felt my heart race with fear and anger. I felt like my power was taken away from me. When will this be over? I'd prefer to pass away right now than allow Dunstan to completely violate me."Stop," I muttered. Goosebumps were forming on my skin as he kissed me on the neck."You used to admire my company, remember?" Dunstan whispered. "Why change your heart now?"I shut my eyes, trying to block out his words and the memories of a time when I felt safe and comfortable with him. But no matter how hard I tried, the fear and anger continued to consume me."I'm taking you now, love. I promise, you're going to love me forever."A loud
HeatherI woke up in bed, and when my eyes adjusted to the lights, I realized I was still in the same hotel room where I had been before. I could feel the effects of whatever Dunstan had injected me with. And though I was already conscious, my strength had been completely drained. My mind was foggy, and my body felt heavy, as if I had just run a marathon."Ingesting even a small amount of pure aconitine or the plant itself can be fatal, as it can paralyze respiratory or heart functions." Dunstan walked over to me, and I tried to press myself against the headboard, desperate to put as much distance between us as possible. "You see, my dear, I have complete control over you now. There's no escape." "You're lucky to be alive, though. But don't think for a second that I won't finish what I started.""So what will you do? Examine me in the laboratory like some sort of experiment. Or maybe you'll just dispose of me like a piec
HeatherI woke up in the middle of the night, and my body was still exhausted from how many times Dunstan had urged me to have s*x with him. Although it was consensual, it felt like I was making love with a stranger, leaving me feeling empty and disconnected.Tears escaped from my eyes as I went to the kitchen. My body was wrapped in a blanket, leaving the sleeping Dunstan exposed on the bed. As I made myself a cup of tea, my eyes caught sight of Dunstan's laptop on the table, some papers were scattered around it. So he still worked after our last encounter, which made me very tired.Curiosity got the better of me. I couldn't resist the urge to take a peek and see what he had been working on.I sat at the table, forgetting about the tea that I had just made. As I opened the laptop, a rush of guilt washed over me, but my curiosity was greater than my conscience. The screen displayed a document titled
Heather“What are you doing, Amanda?” Ivik pushed Amanda, and that was the moment he noticed me, shattering in the corner.“Heather…”“S-so this is what you call a show?” I squeaked, clutching my chest in disbelief. “And you are so dedicated to it that you continued to act even without an audience? Who the hell are you fooling, Ivik?”I glared at Amanda, but she only turned her back, clutching her head as she leaned against the wall. “What can you say to yourself, Ms. Miller?”“Heather, babe, you’ve got it all wrong!” Ivik strode to me and immediately cupped my face. His touch made me flinch, as though I had been burned. “I’m not fooling anyone, especially you. Look, we don’t have a relationship. This is a misunderstanding.”“You are right, Ivik. This is a misunderstanding, because I had misunderstood your actions towards me!&rd
Heather“Good evening, Mr. Fisher and Ms. Everest.”The receptionist and other hotel staff welcomed Dunstan and me in the function room of Hotel Grandeur. Dimmed lights and soft music playing in the background created an elegant atmosphere in the room. Everything my eyes could see exuded luxury and sophistication.“This way, please.” The receptionist led us to a table near the center of the room, where Dunstan pulled out a chair for me.Despite my perfect environment, I felt lost and out of place, consid
HeatherI had no idea how long I had been gazing at Dunstan. The truth was, I wasn’t sure if I heard him right, since my mind wasn’t in the mood to comprehend such things.“Are you alright, love?" Dunstan cupped my face as he frowned. And then he smiled.and directed us towards the bed, so we could sit on its edge. “Forgive me if I cannot wait until I return, but I cannot bear to leave you like that. I realized I wanted to stay by your side and make sure you're still here," Dunstan confessed. He gently brushed a strand of hair behind my ear."Why would I not be okay, Dunstan? I asked, chuckling."You seemed lost in your thoughts and distant," he explained, concern evident in his voice. "I just want to make sure you're truly okay, my love." I looked up at him, still wondering what had gotten into his mind. He seemed different, almost desperate. I gathered t