AZALEAThe morning light from the window touches my face, and my eyes open instantly. A dull ache throbs at the base of my head as I sit up, and a hand reaches up to rub the sleep from my eyes. When my fingers move away, and I look at my right palm, I notice a bite mark from—I blush hard quickly as memories of last night flood back into my mind like a roaring storm. When I’d barged into Alpha Andras’s bedchamber to request explanations for his crazy conduct, he’d shut me off halfway with a kiss. Then foreplay had followed, and he’d used his hands and mouth to work me into sexual bliss. The vigorous sex on his bed left my body hurting and tired. But in the best possible way. As I recall everything, humiliation fills my entire body. Despite the embarrassment, I feel triumphant and spread my arms wide."And good morning to you too, Azalea."A deep masculine voice startles me mid-stretch, and another realization sets in. I am still in Alpha Andras' bed! I slept in his room last night.P
ALPHA ANDRAS I'm in my office, head bent, trying to sort through some critical files with my beta, Donovan, when the door bursts open, and Jenna enters. "The council is—" Donovan stops talking halfway through when he notices her. His brow furrows, and he blinks a few times in surprise before remaining silent. He just bows respectfully and steps back from the desk. Looking up from the documents in my hands as she moves towards me, my wolf growls disapprovingly at the sight of her, and its irritation is even more apparent when she circles the desk and leans over to kiss my cheek. I'm perplexed by my wolf's aggressive attitude, but I don't press it. Instead, I try to quiet the beast down. It's been over a year since we married, and while my wolf has never reacted warmly to Jenna's presence - which I thought was unusual given that we're mates - it's never been this violent. And this is not just happening today.My wolf has been restless lately, snarling incessantly and snapping at une
JENNAI stand paralyzed, staring at my husband but seeing nothing. It's as if someone has taken over my body and deprived me of all ability to function. For a moment, I think I’ve misheard, and this is all a dream - one in which Andras is yelling at me because he is drunk - so I pinch myself hard. But, no, I am awake. This is not a dream, and everything happening is quite real. My mouth hangs open for a half second, and I have no idea what to say. But I quickly find my voice. "Andras, did you just threaten me?" No, no. He would not dare. I'm still in amazement, and what he just said is a joke. Right? My chest tightens as I look at him. Perhaps I might understand his thoughts and what is going on in his head. But his eyes are harsh. And so cold, as if they could cut through anything in its path. The expression on his face scares me. He's like an enraged wolf, waiting for his victim - me - to cower at his feet. It's not a look I ever thought I would see from my husband.It frightens
AZALEAIt's been three days since my last meeting with Alpha Andras, and now I'm standing in the servants' kitchen, completely unaware of the eyes staring at me as I make breakfast.Working in the kitchen is much more enjoyable than washing floors and dealing with piles of filthy laundry or picking weeds and farming constantly in the castle's enormous garden. At least here, I can see, talk, and gossip with Darla. Jenna is also not constantly around, and that is a bonus. The smell of spicy pork bacon frying in the skillet fills the air. It smells lovely, but it makes me a little nauseous. At first, I don't think much of it, and despite the discomfort, I continue chopping veggies. However, when Darla enters with a plate of cracked raw eggs, all hell breaks loose. The smell of the eggs, along with pork and some stray spices, makes me gag and cough uncontrollably. The knife falls from my hand into the bowl, and I hold my throat, desperately attempting to keep the vomit from flowing out.
ALPHA ANDRAS"Azalea is sick."When Jenna came to me with this news, it felt like an ice cube had dropped on my head. I didn't have time to think about what it might entail, so I dropped everything I was doing and followed her without hesitation. She had taken me down familiar hallways, and as we headed to the servants' quarters, I asked if she had summoned the Royal doctor, to which she gave a stiff nod. I also inquired if she had observed anything different about Azalea herself, and she responded with another stiff nod that signified neither yes nor no.Things were still strained between us after our last argument. It had rattled both of us, especially her, and created a barrier of mistrust between us. We hadn't communicated much since that day either. But I didn't want to dwell on such thoughts, so I concentrated on more vital concerns, and the closer we got to Azalea's room, the more nervous I became. My palms were sweaty, and my heart pounded violently against my chest. What c
AZALEAI have never been more grateful for an interruption in my life. And when a gasp escapes my lips at Alpha Andras's thunderous remarks, an inward sense of relief floods me.I'd been on edge since the Royal Doctor left and Jenna started laying out the pregnancy rules. Her comments about my weight hurt, but when she referred to the baby inside me as 'hers,' I clenched my fists. Hard. I shouldn't be envious or possessive of the child because it isn’t mine. I am only a surrogate. Regardless, it hurt, and the thought of being cast away once I gave birth, like every other breeder who served this wretched kingdom, made the knot in my stomach tighten even further. Then Alpha Andras's statement - more like a command - happened, and my heart skipped a beat. His voice echoed throughout the room, exuding a sense of authority unrivaled. "Let the girl breathe. It's too early for this." He continues with his gaze fixated on his wife. "Andras?"His look becomes serious as he asks calmly. "Do
"I want you to stop babbling right this instant and let the poor girl breathe!" Alpha Andras thunders and a gasp escapes my lips.To say I'm surprised is an understatement of how I feel right now, hearing Alpha Andras yell at Jenna came as a shocker to me however, attached with it is a feeling of gratefulness.Jenna's words about me being overweight and indulging in malevolent cravings had me boiling in rage, the worst of all was when she kept referring to my baby as hers? Every fit of anger I had coursing through my veins had quadrupled instantly and showed on my face, which I think Alpha Andras noticed before I quickly replaced it with a blank stare instead."The poor girl's probably still in shock at the news of her being pregnant and you're not helping! Your approach isn't helping one bit!". He sterns.Jenna looks at him, confused. "What are you even saying Andras, she's not the only surrogate who's gone through this, other surrogates did too! So how is hers any different?""She i
AZALEAI can't sleep. I've been trying for an hour now since I took the tablets and snuggled myself into bed, but no matter what position I'm in or how I lie, it's not enough to help me close my eyes. It's like some invisible force is tugging at me, keeping me upright, and I let out a painful hiss. As if to worsen the situation, my stomach growls in a low-threatening tone.The cravings. The ones I’d been trying to avoid tonight suddenly sprang up, and I let out another hiss."Fuck!" When my stomach makes another hungry sound, I leap out of bed and curse. I sigh loudly as I gaze up at the wall clock, which shows it's a few minutes before midnight. I won't be able to sleep now unless I satisfy this hunger, so I take a deep breath and stand on wobbling legs, heading towards the kitchen.I stroll through the dimly lit hallway, and an unsettling calm envelopes me, causing me to shudder slightly. The castle feels vacant, and this area is much emptier. What do I expect from the servants' q
I fetched the candles that I had managed to uh, borrow, from the kitchen and placed it at the side of my little makeshift cake that I had whipped up earlier today. I wasn't sure if it would taste nice considering the fact that I had only thirty minutes to bake the whole thing plus minimal access to ingredients, but I didn't care. A cake was still a cake regardless.I probably looked nothing less of a Cheshire cat because I couldn't help the excited grin that remained plastered on my face. Turning eighteen was a very important thing for every werewolf because it brought a new life to the limelight and I was eager to find out who I was going to belong to for the rest of my life.Looking at how I placed the candles, I took it out deciding that the middle was the best spot for it. I was about doing so when my door was nonchalantly banged open and an aura that I hated the most stepped into my room.I looked up and to my utter dismay, Xavier was standing in my room, flitting his eyes around
He meets my gaze, his eyes filled with uncertainty. "I... I honestly don't know, Azalea. I was assigned to pack your things, but I wasn't told why"."Was it Jenna?, Does Alpha Andra know?” I question. She's the only one I know who would do such.I can feel my frustration bubbling and a deep sense of anguish wash over me. No matter how hard I try to push the thoughts away from my head, I can't help but feel like I am being treated unfairly.I have dedicated myself to my duties, always going above and beyond what is expected of me. I have never given Jenna a reason to strip me of my privileges and downgrade my living arrangements. Is Alpha Andras even aware of this?"It was an order from Alpha Andras himself Azalea, not Jenna". He mutters.My brows furrows as I gape at him. "A-alpha Andras?!".I try to sound confident but the tingles of shock in my spine wouldn't let me. The Alpha Andras that I've been with this past few days wouldn't do a thing as this!My assumptions when I walked in
"Bring that back Darla!". I yell at Darla, who's been a pain in the ass since we started working in this garden.There’s nothing we can do but play. It's been three hours already yet we still haven't worked up to half of the days job, all thanks to Darla and her antics."You wish". She snorts and continues to run around the garden. "You should be grateful to me you know? Atleast you've finally gotten the chance to live your childhood dreams of running around a garden with a bestfriend and sister".I chuckle, folding my arms across my chest. "And who says that's my childhood dream.”She smirks. "Your eyes, your laughter, and the full blown smile on your face".Darla's right, she's the best thing that has happened to me ever since I stepped foot inside this castle. The last few days have been so hectic for me. What with Alpha Andras harsh behaviors to me the last few days. It’s like he’s an entirely different person now, and it scares me. It scares me so much, I can hardly sleep or eat
ALPHA ANDRASIts been days since my outburst with Jenna and I haven't heard or seen her, not that I care so much but her absence in the palace is quite strange.I'm just about to leave my bed when a timid knock on my door stops me. I'm not expectant of anyone, especially not at this hour. It's too early for me to be disturbed"Who's there". I call out, scrunching my face in annoyance."A maid, your highness. The luna queen sent me to you". She responds, her voice trembling in fear.Jenna? That's a weird one. Jenna has never sent for me, especially not through a maid. She barges into my room whenever she wants and however she wants so what has changed?.I heave a worried sigh. "Come in."The maid steps into the room with her head bowed, I could literally see her legs shaking but then that's none of my problems."What did she say? I mean my wife?".My wolf groans as soon as I uttered the word "my wife". I didn't plan to but in as much as the sight of Jenna repels me, she's still my wife
As I walk into my room, I am taken aback by the sight before me. My belongings are scattered haphazardly across the floor. Confusion and anger wells up inside me almost immediately. What exactly is going on? Why are my things being thrown away. At the same time beads of sweat cascade down my face in fear. I approach Donovan who's standing nearby, observing my reaction with a neutral expression."What's happening here Donovan? Why are my things been moved?". I inquire, my voice trembling with a mix of frustration and worry.“I was asked to move your stuff to the servant's quarter" he says trying his best to keep a straight unbothered face "You have been demoted Azalea.”I have been demoted? To what? I almost ask this out loud, but I just swallow and mutter instead. “But why?"He meets my gaze, his eyes filled with uncertainty. "I... I honestly don't know, Azalea. I was assigned to pack your things, but I wasn't told why.”"Was it Jenna?, Does Alpha Andras know?” I question. She's the
ALPHA ANDRAS"My king, someone's here to see you.” Donovan, my beta informs me.The elders in the courtroom all turn to look at me, some casting glances at each other, some whispering nothings into the ears of their betas.The whispers turns into a commotion soon, much to my annoyance. I don’t know I can’t explain that I’ve not been in a good mood of late. Every fucking thing seems to annoy the hell out of me. And I can’t say I like it. What the fuck is wrong with me?"Silence!". I yell, my voice reverberating in the whole courtroom and everywhere goes deathly still.Donovan shivers and lowers his head to the floor, he knows I hate to be disturbed, especially when I'm in a meeting with the elders, so if he has the boldness to do so then it's probably important. However I can't attend to anyone right now, not in the middle of a very important discussion with the elders."Attend to him Donovan, as you can see I'm busy".He shoots his head from the ground. "I think you need to see this p
"The door is open". Alpha Andras voice rings from inside his room.I gulp hard, and hesitate to enter. I clutch my robe tightly, wrapping the soft fabric around my body protectively.Today is the start of our sessions and I can't help but feel nervous. It feels like a dream and I really can't believe this is happening again. There are so many things running through my head. So many questions I want to ask. So many things I want to say. His announcement the previous day had me palpitating in shock. I never would have imagined those words coming out of his mouth, especially in the presence of Jenna and a few maids. He’d said that in front of his wife. He’d disregarded all voice of reason and stood up for me. Gosh. I've always known he's full of surprises but his words and the demeanor that tagged along with it yesterday shocked the wits out of me."She's going no fucking where! As a a matter of fact she'll be carrying my child again" I never expected that. Not in that moment. In fact
KINGDOM OF WARWICK SILVERMAN’S POV My eyes flies open as I jerk from the bed in my cottage clutching my chest in fear. Something's definitely not right and I can sense it. My daughter's presence is near but it's not alone. I can sense a strange aura surrounding it.I stand up to leave the bed when I feel a hot liquid cascading down my arms.What could that be?I swirl my fingers in a circular motion and the room lits up immediately. My eyes trails down to my arms to see a reddish liquid flowing down in strides.Blood! That can only mean two things. Magic. Dark magic.I'm being attacked or someone else close to me! Suddenly the dots start to connect. She's in danger, my daughter is in danger!I swirl my fingers in a circular motuon again and the light goes off, plunging the room into total darkness.I wipe off the blood from my arm with a clean, white piece of clothe. As soon as I made sure every drop has being wiped off with the clothe. I place it on the bed and begin to make some i
JENNAI pace up and down my room, my face flushed in anger. It's been days since I successfully carried out the first phase of my plan that's supposed to make things better and easier for me to move on to phase two. But it seems every single thing I did, did not only work but also backfired.That bitch and Andras are much more closer than before because of the miscarriage and it's so bad that even if Fiona was still here in the castle her services would be useless.They now spend time together openly and it seems like I'm no longer visible in the eyes of Andras. I can't count how many times I've told him to send her out cause she's not strong enough to carry another seed of his and gotten a negative response and reaction too.The last time I brought up the topic, he'd flared up and demanded that I stop talking about it else he'll use his Alpha command on me. Shocked was an understatement of how I felt. I felt my blood boil in rage for that bitch and her faux body.'Faux body?' Why the