EVELYNCrystal sputtered at the sudden action, her breathing growing sparse while her chest heaved. I applied enough pressure to be uncomfortable but not enough to truly injure her. At most, my hold would enact some bruising or otherwise.“I don’t know what to do,” the young girl whispered, and she avoided making contact with my eyes.“You know what to do,” I countered calmly, hand applying a bit more pressure as I stared past the veil into her terrified eyes. “Or at least you better. If not, you’re going to die. I promise it.”I wasn’t the kind of person to make such demands and inflict pain. For the past year, I’d lived as meek Evelyn Caddel, a maid in the royal palace known for sharing the same bed as the Alpha King.But as I gazed at Crystal, my hand wrapped around her throat, my eyes narrowed and focused, I realized I wasn’t Evelyn. I was Eva. I was ruthless, brave, and powerful, and I wouldn’t accept any of Crystal’s vague statements.Just as I pondered my next move and the next
EVELYNPanic flooded through me and I wanted to run away but I found my body unable to move. My head swam with dizziness as my heart pounded in my chest.I wondered if I was on the verge of passing out. I tried to concentrate on staying awake, my claws sinking further into my thigh. The effort was painful, but I needed to be coherent enough to understand what was going on.The strange man’s thumb pressed against my lower lip, prying my mouth open. I felt the edge of a bowl against my lip. Before I could think straight, cold liquid poured into my mouth. I felt horror, but I was unable to make a sound or movement.What was he giving me? Was I being drugged yet again?Or worse…My stomach revolted at once and I was on the verge of throwing up when I tasted the bitterness of the potion. It twisted into knots and my mouth flooded with saliva. I nearly retched all over myself from sheer disgust, but I managed to hold it in, knowing that it would only make this terrible and dangerous situati
EVELYNElsa didn’t answer me at first. Her brown eyes fell to the ground, and she seemed a million miles away, as if lost in memory.“Since you’re not unconscious and you’re actively able to speak to me, you must have heard my real name. Is that what you’re asking about?”I nodded.Elsa paused and after a deep breath, she turned to face me, her expression grave but almost concerned as her eyes trailed over me.“My last name is Crawford,” she confirmed. “My father was one of the nephews of the former Lord Crawford.”Before she continued, she lit a lamplight, and when it lit up, I could see that her pretty face appeared paler than usual.“I shared the same happy life as you once had,” she mentioned. “Wealthy and carefree. Back then I had been so stupid and naive. I had thought my happiness would last forever… until that day came.”Then she fell into silence, her shoulders sinking as she hung her head a little.I fought the urge to throw my arms around my former friend. While it was true
JASMINEAs the sun bore down on my face, I yawned in the royal palace’s expansive garden. My eye struggled a little in the impressively bright light and I winced before blocking the sun out with my hand.My wound had healed quickly with the help of the royal healer, and now that it was better, I was allowed to stroll in the garden to get some fresh air. It was a relief after lying in bed for two days, and after taking a bath, I felt better than I had.Still, I didn’t particularly enjoy strolling in the garden, especially on a chilly morning like this, and I was dressed too thinly for the weather. The cold breeze brushed against my bare shoulders, making me shiver despite the brutal sun. But there was a reason I walked there every so often, a reason I would never admit to anyone in the world: I wanted to meet Flynn.The loyal Beta Flynn had only stayed in my room for less than a day because he was too busy. As soon as he deemed me healed and out of immediate danger, he left for other b
JASMINE“Would you take a walk with me along the river?” Flynn asked softly, offering me a soft but casual expression.I paused but only for a moment before I nodded in response. “Sure. I would love to.”It wasn’t a lie. I had never found the royal palace and the garden so pleasant to stay in. There was so much drama, so much tension within the palace walls, given the Luna Selection and the overbearing eyes of the Alpha King’s stepmother.Anastasia had made the palace feel unsafe and unwelcoming. Had I not been expected to stay here and complete the competition at my sister Addison’s urging, I would have dropped out of the Selection entirely, leaving all of this pageantry and weirdness aside.But something was keeping me here, other than the research about Jack Elrod’s mysterious return, magic, and everything else.I wasn’t ready to admit it, but I couldn’t deny my attraction to Flynn. His coat had a soothing scent, almost herby. It was nice to smell, and I tried not to make my sniffs
JASMINEFlynn looked visibly relieved when I opened my eyes. His gaze softened and his sharp jaw unclenched.“Jasmine,” he sighed. I didn’t know if he could tell I’d allowed him to save me, but to my surprise, the Beta merely pulled me up off the grass and hugged me tightly.His scent enveloped me.“Are you alright?” he asked as he pulled me away, his eyes falling to my side. “How is your wound? Was it ripped open again? Do I need to find a healer? Or get you-”“I’m alright,” I assured him softly, an appreciative and sympathetic smile on my lips as I gazed up at him. My heart raced in my chest and for a moment, everything else faded away. It was only us, locked in this moment together and I didn’t know if there was anywhere else I would have rather been.Flynn Hart was a kind man, kinder than I’d ever thought possible.“Why did you suddenly dive under the water?” he asked me with furrowed brows, his tone laced with concern. “That was really dangerous. The water could have pulled you u
JASMINE“What does final moment mean?” I asked as concern ran through me. My eyebrows came together and I glanced at Flynn as if he already knew the answer. I wasn’t certain of what his sister had told him before I’d arrived, but when his dark, hypnotic eyes met mine, I knew that he knew just as much as I did.His strong arms were crossed against his chest, and when I noted the subtle curve of his muscle, I remembered his touch when he’d rescued me, as well as the hug he’d given when he’d gotten us to land. I felt my cheeks heat a little as I thought about it.I felt a little like a girl with a crush and I forced myself to harden my heart. I wasn’t the kind of woman who swooned- I was a trained assassin. I didn’t melt. I didn’t waver.For so long, I had kept my heart locked away, not giving it any attention or care. It was dangerous back when I was in Ebon Eyes to have a relationship. We were advised against such distractions.Still… the warmth of Flynn Hart’s tall, strong body, the s
EVELYNWhen morning came, I was still staring at the ceiling. My eyes felt sore from staying up, but I couldn’t sleep, no matter how much I wanted to.How could I sleep after what happened last night?I had known long ago that Elsa was holding things back and there was a reason for that, even if she wanted to help me. But I didn’t know what it was. Maybe it touched the core of Jack’s plan or perhaps there was something more to it.I knew Elsa was right. The only way I could figure out my own plan was to pretend to be obedient to Jack. I knew too little about this place and him—his abilities, weaknesses, and intentions. I wasn’t sure who this man I’d once been engaged to truly was and that was a terrifying sentiment.Besides, he now had my family in his hands.A sense of helplessness washed over me. Fate never seemed to tire of playing with me. I had a great many regrets, but there was no point in dwelling on them now. I couldn’t look back. I couldn’t afford to. All I could do was look