EVELYNIt was said among our kind that werewolves could only be marked once. It was a sign of possession and ownership- one claiming the other and showing the rest of the world that the object of their mark was theirs and theirs alone.Of course, marking isn’t always one-sided. Mates marked each other to complete and solidify their bond. That’s what my parents had done when they found each other. But for the Alpha King… things were different.No one was allowed to mark the King, not even his Queen. The King was not meant to be possessed by anyone.However, he could mark as many she-wolves as he wanted.Cole’s words struck me like lightning and for a moment, I was completely paralyzed. The intensity of his obsidian eyes showed that he meant every word he said, and as he stared through me, I had an impulse to submit, stronger than I’d ever felt before.It was more than just desire. It was an animalistic need for him to mark me, to make me his, so that I could be relieved of any other th
EVELYNShock shuddered through me and I stifled a heavy gulp as a lump formed in my throat.Had he read my mind?How did Cole know I harbored such a foolish dream, that all I’d fantasized about since the Luna Selection was announced was my freedom?It didn’t matter. What he said was the last nail in my coffin.There would be no end to her suffering, even when he chose his Luna. There was no way out. I’d rot and die in this damned palace. A chill ran through me at the very thought and I wanted to cry, to scream, to challenge him.If he wanted to kill me, what was he waiting for?But despite my anger and devastation toward him and my situation, I felt rooted to the floor. She couldn’t move or speak, even when I was filled with such intense emotions.Maybe Cole was right. I was indeed a coward. I had been always hidden under the wings of my family like a helpless chick, always waiting for someone or something to rescue me from my ill fate. But there was no rescue coming for me.I was tra
EVELYNLeila remained silent but her expression was even more amazed, sad even. I took a breath and then continued, a strange sadness appearing in me too.“I thought he was joking,” I admitted. “My father tended to joke about me and the princes but this time… it was real. He had engaged me to Jack behind my back and then confined me to our home. He made sure I couldn’t escape the house until the engagement party. I was desperate to get away and couldn’t believe what was happening to me. Father had never been like this before. He had always spoiled me and fulfilled my wishes, but this time, he became unyielding. Not even her mother could persuade him. He insisted that this was for the House of Caddel and for the royal family. Even the fact that we were fated mates didn’t change his mind.”My lower lip trembled, and I glanced down at the comforter. “I had no choice. I had to give up my affection for Cole, even though I didn’t want to. It was agony but I had no choice but to do what my f
COLE“You’ve been interfering too much with matters concerning Evelyn lately,” I growled at Flynn once we were alone. He’d returned from escorting her to her room and now that it was just my Beta and I, I had some choice words for him.“Begging your pardon, Your Majesty,” he replied without missing a beat, his face utterly unreadable. “I did not mean to interfere-”“It seems like you care for her very much,” I interrupted him before he could finish. My temper rose with every second of his presence and soon, I began to feel out of control. “Is it out of guilt for having killed her brother?”I watched Flynn’s face twitch slightly in misery, but it was only a fleeting expression. He rarely allowed his face to betray his inner thoughts but it was clear that I’d struck a nerve. Part of me wanted to take the words back but I couldn’t stop myself, not when he’d interrupted my confrontation with Evelyn.Still, mentioning Conner was a low blow. The pair had been friends… we all had been friend
COLEThirty minutes after the maid relayed my stepmother’s message, I strode into the room, dressed fashionably in dinner attire, and was greeted with laughter.Anastasia and Skyla were seated closely at the table, giggling about something among themselves. It annoyed me to see them so cheerful on such a horrid day but I chose not to reprimand them for their inappropriate laughter.I had to play along.“What’s so funny?” I asked casually as I walked to the empty seat at the head of the table and sat down.We were in a small dining room not far from Anastasia’s chamber. On days when there was no banquet or dinner party, my stepmother preferred dining here.It wasn’t that she disliked the grand dining room, which was more befitting of her status… but rather, that she detested it completely.There were rumors spreading around the palace. King Theodore, my father, had flirted with Anastasia’s maid during their meals and summoned a few maids to the dining room for his amusement after drink
AIDENThe weather in Windsburn was notoriously unpredictable. A week had passed since I arrived on the desolate prisoner’s island, and even after seven long days, I still couldn’t discern any pattern in its ever-changing climate.As I made my way to the mine pits, I paused and looked up at the sky. Just an hour ago, it had been pouring rain, but now the sun blazed fiercely.The sudden heat against my skin made it difficult for him to keep his eyes open; it was scorching. While my long-sleeved shirt was a bit heavy in this weather, it kept my skin protected from the rays. The last thing I needed on this mission was a debilitating sunburn.Thus far, the investigation the King had tasked me with completing had gone nowhere. I had found no evidence of the Fox family’s crimes and with every passing day, I grew more frustrated.It seemed that the cunning family had gone to great lengths to conceal their wrongdoings, but I couldn’t yet give up.I was staying in the administrative castle, wh
AIDENI stared back at him in surprise, shocked and unsure of my next words.A death zone?I was anxious to hear his explanation and dreaded the following investigation that now certainly had to happen.Windsburn Island was mainly for condemned prisoners, but it was not meant to be as bad as he implied. His grave expression told me that there was truth in his warnings, but I had to find out what was happening here, personal safety or not. I was the King’s Guard.My mission was to keep the Alpha King safe from potential enemies, and if the old man’s words were true…The Foxes themselves could be enemies.“My name is Aiden,” I introduced myself, wishing at once I had provided a different name to further my disguise.Thankfully, my given name was fairly common, so I knew it wouldn’t amass any suspicion, and since most knew me as Sir Moran, it seemed like my choice would be just fine.The old man studied me for a moment, surprised at my response, and his thick eyebrows creased for a momen
AIDENI trembled slightly as I stared at Evelyn’s father. A shiver passed through me as if I stood before a ghost.Steven Caddel’s appearance had changed a lot since I’d last seen him. His tall frame, which had always been impressive, was almost skeletal beneath his clothes. His complexion was ghostly, and though his dark hair was still thick, it was long and tangled.He sported a thick dark beard and I noticed that it was wrought with streaks of gray.His eyes, however, were still stern and resolute.I opened my mouth to speak, wishing to say something, but Steven stopped me before I even had a chance.“There’s no time,” he said firmly. “I don’t know why you’re here, Aiden, but you shouldn’t be. You need to get out of this place before it’s too late.”“I can’t, sir,” I replied with a small shake of my head. “I’m here on-”The crack of a whip cut through the air and Steven winced. He glanced behind him and then replaced the hood on his head in one swift motion.“I can’t say much now,
“This is the way of hospitality in House Fox?” Sylvia scoffed as she glanced down her wrists. She had been bound in silver cuffs that glinted even in the dim light of the room. “You do realize silver has no effect on me? I’m not a werewolf.”Jack, unfazed by her words, took a leisurely sip of his tea. He was seated in the chair opposite Sylvia, his long legs crossed with practiced elegance.“I wasn’t concerned about the material” he replied evenly. “I doubted you had the strength to break any cuffs at all.”He signaled to the servant standing beside Sylvia, who immediately poured tea into a fine porcelain cup before placing it in front of her. The fragrant steam curled into the air, but Sylvia didn’t touch it. Her guard remained as steadfast as her composure. Jack offered a faint smile. “It’s the same blend you used to drink in the palace,” he remarked, gesturing toward the tea. “I hope I haven’t remembered it wrong.”Sylvia’s sharp gaze didn’t waver as she scrutinized him. “You to
JACK“There!” Marcel Fox barked, his voice cutting through the night like a whip. “Check behind the bushes!”The guards of his household were shouting and running everywhere, searching for any trace of the missing Alpha King. The chaos, coupled with the tense, panicked tones of the guards, reminded Jack much of the day when his father died.On that terrible day, he had watched the guards running in frantic circles like a flock of lambs without a shepherd dog. He had stood among them, still and silent, knowing they were close to their grim discovery. He knew the moment they passed through that cluster of bushes, they would find his father lying on the muddy ground—disfigured, mutilated, like a butchered pig. He had thought he would feel satisfaction when that moment arrived.But he didn’t.Instead, he stood there, numb, as if a hollow had opened in his chest. The cold wind seemed to blow straight through that emptiness, chilling him to the bone.He had finally killed the one who murd
COLE“What do you mean?” I asked, frowning. Sylvia glanced at the guards, who stood in defensive posture but hesitated to act. Then she turned back to me. Her face was pale, and her breathing was shallow.“I just realized a crucial difference between humans and werewolves,” she said. “You werewolves have your wolf soul – a part driven mostly by natural instinct and desire, something humans lack and can’t comprehend. The wolf soul might weaken if Cole’s spirit falters. But ias long as it exists, it can’t be manipulated by magic. Wizards can’t control what they don’t fully understand.”She squeezed my hand tightly, her expression serious. “That might be our chance.”The wolf nature. A chance to save Cole.Hope sparkled in my chest, but before I could respond, Sylvia released my hand and shove me hard on the shoulder.“Run!” she bellowed, “Don’t stop!”The guards sprang into action, splitting into two groups – one heading for Sylvia, the other for me.Time was running out. If there was
EVELYNPer Sylvia’s request, I shared some stories about Cole – mostly from our childhood, with a few from our teenage years. Sylvia chuckled when I told her about the time Cole slipped a dead mouse into our teacher’s mug as a morbid practical joke. He’d always had a mischievous streak. When she finally regained control of her near-silent laughter, her eyes sparkled with amusement.“I did something similar when I was young,” she said with a naughty, playful glint in her eyes. “I was quite the troublemaker myself.”I grinned. “Cole must have gotten it from his mother, then.”A comfortable silence fell between us. After a moment, I shifted the conversation to something heavier. “I thought you didn’t believe that I was Cole’s mate,” I said, my voice low. “Is that still the case?”Pulled from her thoughts, Sylvia looked at me and shook her head. Her expression softened. “I knew the moment you insisted on coming. The emotions in your eyes… they were too real, too genuine to be faked. I’m
EVELYN“Madam, please show your pass,” the guard said. His tone was clipped as he stepped into our path. His dark eyes studied us, sharp and unyielding. Beneath his professionalism, there was a flicker of annoyance and impatience, but it was clear he was just doing his job.Still, my heart quickened.I held Sylvia’s arm and lifted my veil, letting the sheer fabric slide back with a deliberate grace. I smiled softly as my gaze met the guard’s, my expression carefully crafted to appear harmless and innocent, even vulnerable – and, in a way, appealing, as Sylvia had suggested. She said that males were predicable, especially the male wolves, and that a well-timed smile by a beautiful lady could work wonders in situations like this, though I doubted it.But I still did.I’d do anything she said.Anything to get into the House of Fox and help Cole.While I played the role of a tender lady, Sylvia took a different strategy. She exhaled sharply as her features twisted into an irritated frown.
Marcel nodded dutifully, though part of him wanted to widen his eyes and shake his head.Two days. Two days until the King of Tiryn arrived. Everything was progressing so quickly, and it seemed that he was struggling to keep up. Between managing his household, his men, and his troublesome daughter… he was overwhelmed. His mind was on the verge of breaking, but he dared not to show it, not to Jack Elrod. No, he had to keep a level head if he was to succeed.“I’ll do my best,” he promised. “I’ve ordered the guards to search the entire city. I believe the girl won’t have anywhere to hide. They’ll surely catch her before dawn. Beside…” Marcel lowered his voice so only the two of them could hear. “The troops are all ready, Your Highness.”Jack nodded, his dark eyes studying Marcel with an intensity that made him uneasy. After a long pause, Jack tilted his head, narrowing his eyes slightly. “You’re holding something back, Lord Fox. What is it?”Marcel hesitated, but only for a moment. There
SKYLA“Are you out of your fucking mind?!” Marcel Fox growled at his daughter, his eyes flashing with anger as he slammed a cup against the wall. The fine porcelain shattered into pieces, and the sound filled the room.Skyla lowered her head and pouted. She didn’t understand why her father was so angry, but she chose not to argue. Nothing good would come of retort to her father’s scolding. Historically, when this had happened in the past, Skyla always emerged from the situation without her dignity intact.“Look at yourself, Skyla,” he snarled, his hands gesturing at her as his lip curled back in disgust. “You’re dressed like a whore. What kind of King would like a whore?”Skyla winced at the comment, her cheeks heating in embarrassment at the insult. Still, she remained silent.“How many times have I told you to behave properly?” Marcel continued, his nostrils flaring. “Have you ever given a fuck about what I’ve said at all? I told you not to act on your own. Not only is it dangerous,
SKYLACole frowned, a crease forming between his lips as he stared at Skyla in confusion.“Evelyn?” he repeated, his dark gold brows furrowing further. “What does this have to do with her? She… she was sent to Windsburn Island long ago. Why bring her up now?”Skyla’s eyes widened.What was Cole talking about? Evelyn being sent to Windsburn?She was confused because Cole didn’t seem to be joking or trying to change the subject. It seemed as if his memory had been fragmented -just like when Cole woke up and believed she had been diligently taking care of him during his illness, while she had done nothing of the sort.Was that why her father had warned her never to bring up the past in front of Cole?Panic flooded Skyla. She realized she had just made a critical mistake. She wished she could take back the words she’d let slip.Skyla pressed her lips tightly together as she watched Cole’s reaction.Cole brought his hand up, rubbing at his temples as if trying to ward off an oncoming heada
SKYLASkyla Fox and Melanie quietly walked through the corridors before they arrived at the King’s room.Stationed outside of the room was Max, the diligent guard, standing proudly in his post, ready to prevent any unauthorized entry. None had bothered yet this evening, so when he noticed Skyla and her maid, he frowned. A strong instinct in his gut urged him to keep them away – he was certain they were up to no good.As they approached, he raised a hand and stopped them. The ladies appeared irritated by the interruption.“The King is very tired,” Max said firmly, his tone carrying an authoritative edge. “What are you here for, Lady Skyla?”Melanie spoke up, shooting him an annoyed expression. Her blue eyes flashed as she scolded him, her jaw clenched. “What an idiot you are! It’s their engagement night! What could the lady possibly want? Don’t be a fool. Just open the door and let her in!”Max’s cheeks flushed as he realized the meaning behind her words. He glanced at Skyla, who wore