Drakken and George were engaged in a heated fencing match, their blades clashing in a flurry of quick movements. Drakken's movements were sharp and precise, while George's were fluid and elegant. Duncan stood by the side, counting their scores with each successful strike.They continued to clash their blades together, the metallic sound echoing throughout the empty room. Amidst their swordplay, George was the first to speak."Don't you think we need to hasten the Queen's burial? The longer we wait, the more unrest it will cause among the people."Duncan nodded. "I was thinking the same thing. The fire breakout is an added problem."Drakken paused, lowering his sword. "We cannot rush such a significant event. It must be done with proper solemnity and respect for my mother's memory. Everyone would follow the traditional mourning as it'd always been and that's final." He attacked George again with his sword, but George effortlessly dodged his blows.He attacked again and again and contin
Eleanor stood silently in the lab as she waited for Merit to speak. She wanted Merit to be the first one to break the ice as she wondered what could be going on in her mind.Merit, on the other hand, fidgeted with the hem of her coat. She'd never seen her this way. Was she nervous?"Would you like to take a walk with me in the woods? It's such a beautiful day outside."Eleanor hesitated for a moment, eyeing Merit suspiciously. "No, I don't think so," she replied curtly. "I know what you're trying to do. You want to take me out to the woods to kill me where no one will know.""I see why you might think that way. But I only wanted to speak with you where no one else would hear us."Eleanor remained unconvinced, "I don't believe you. Why should I trust you? You're always up to something, and I'm not going to be your next victim.""It's too risky to talk here," Merit pressed on, slyly looking back at the door. "You don't know who might be listening to our conversation."Eleanor watched as
Eleanor had been dreading this moment all day. The thought of Merit's situation weighed heavily on her mind, and she knew she needed to talk to someone she could trust. So, that evening, back in the palace, she sought out Mrs Goldberg, her trusted advisor."Mrs. Goldberg," Eleanor began hesitantly, "if you found out that the only family you had did something bad and only you knew about it, would you expose them to the public to be punished?"Mrs. Goldberg looked at her thoughtfully. "It depends," she said slowly. "If that family member was repentant and showed remorse for their actions, I would not expose them. But if they continued in their sinful ways, then I would have no choice but to bring their wrongdoing to light."Eleanor nodded, deep in thought. Was Merit repentant? She couldn't fully tell.They strolled through the manicured lawns in the pack, as the fresh air and the gentle breeze helped clear her head. She observed the solemn faces of everyone around her. The once lively p
As Eleanor entered the clinic the next day, everyone was stunned to see her walking arm in arm with Merit. Everyone knew the two had always been at each other's throats, constantly bickering and arguing, making it known to everyone who worked at the clinic. No one could believe their eyes as the two laughed and joked with each other, acting as though they were the best of friends.It seemed like something had changed between them, and no one knew quite what to make of it.Eleanor herself never thought a million years that they would be on good terms, let alone become friends. She felt a genuine connection forming between them. It was a strange feeling, but a welcome one.Maybe people really could change, she thought. Maybe it was worth giving others a chance, even if they seemed like the unlikeliest of allies.Merit handed her a beautifully wrapped box that she'd retrieved from her pocket. "Before I forget, I got you this. "I hope you like them," she said with a smile.Eleanor's eyes
Eleanor felt uneasy as Benjamin stood opposite her in the lab. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, but the memory of their last encounter lingered in her mind. She could almost still feel his breath on her neck and his wet tongue on her skin. It triggered a memory about her rape she had been trying to keep buried. Why was she always a victim of such ugly circumstances?"I've been wanting to apologize," he began. "I had to come see you."She nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I appreciate that, but it's not just about the apology. I need you to stay away from me."He looked taken aback, as if the idea had never occurred to him. "What do you mean, stay away from you?""I mean that I can't be around you right now. Not until I can trust you again," she explained. "I don't know what came over you the other day, but I don't want it to happen again."The unexpected happened when Benjamin fell on his knees, looking up at her with remorse in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Eleanor. I don't
Eleanor's morning routine was as predictable as ever. She woke up to the sound of her alarm, got dressed, grabbed a quick breakfast, and headed out to the clinic.As the day slowly went by, Eleanor's mind kept drifting toward her plans for Friday with Drakken. They were going on an official date for the first time. It felt exciting and overwhelming at the same time.She was nervous too, but the anticipation of spending time with him outside the palace walls was enough to keep her going. Did she have to buy him a gift for the date? Drakken had bought her flowers, so it was only ethical that she'd repay his kindness.Eleanor approached Emma when the clock struck four in the evening."Emma, can I ask you something?""Sure, what's on your mind?" Emma replied."I was wondering if I could leave a bit early today. I wanted to go into the city to buy a few things."Emma smiled. "Of course, Eleanor. You've been doing great work, and I think you deserve a break. Just make sure you complete all
Eleanor had spent hours deliberating over whether or not to send the box of socks to Drakken. It was a silly gift, but she couldn't think of anything better. Finally, she decided to go for it. She packaged up the socks and added a small note that simply said, "Yes." It was a reference to the card he sent where he had asked her out on a date. Now, she was ready to take the plunge.Drakken's study was dimly lit, and the scent of old books and leather filled the air. He sat at his desk, reading a file, with George and Duncan sitting across from him, playing a game of chess. The two of them looked deep in conversation when someone knocked at the door.Drakken was the first to rise, curious about who could be calling on him at this hour. He made his way to the door and was surprised to see a small package waiting for him. He picked it up and read the label, which bore his name. Curious, he tore open the package to find a box of socks and a small note that read, "Yes."Drakken was ecstatic
Eleanor was all over the place with glee that Friday. It was the day she had been looking forward to for days– her date with Drakken. She could hardly contain her excitement as she went about her day at the clinic. Patients came and went, but her mind was elsewhere. She found herself daydreaming about what the evening might bring.As she mixed together portions in the lab, Merit approached her. "Care to share what have you in such a good mood?"Eleanor couldn't help but smile. "It's my date tonight," she said. "I can't stop thinking about it.""Oh, to be in love," Merit let out a dreamy sigh. "You really are lucky."She felt a twinge of pity for Merit. She'd tried to talk Benjamin into accepting her as a mate and he didn't even budge. She silently wished there was something more she could do."I spoke with Benjamin about what you told me," Eleanor confessed."You shouldn't have.""I know. I just want you to be happy."Merit mustered a smile. "I am happy," she said. "Make sure you tell
EPILOGUE"Magdalene, come here this minute!" Eleanor screamed at the top of her lungs as she chased after her last child who seemed unaware of her mother's rage she giggled heartily, racing down the well-trimmed meadow at the back of the house where they went out to relax every day. "Magdalene!""Daddy!" The girl squealed, changing course from her favourite hiding spot at the back of a tall tree, towards her father who was smiling as he stretched his hand to catch her. "I am going to make sure you are sent off to a boarding school just like your older brother!" Threatened, Eleanor, tapping her forehead. She had been chasing the little foot from the house, refusing the help of the guards whom she knew her daughter feared greatly. Drakken had insisted his daughter was never to be left at the mercy of the brutes under any circumstances."Forgive us, Luna, we have sinned." Drakken made a face as they approached her, rephrasing the biblical words. "You spoil her, baby and then you leave
ONE MONTH LATER."I can't believe this is finally happening, dudes. Can y'all believe it?" George asked as he took a long swig from the glass in his hand, his face squeezing from the strong taste of the brown modern ale. "I can't believe it too," Duncan let out cheerily, his face a mask of smile. "So... I thought to ask Evie out today.""What!" George thundered, half sitting up from his seat in astonishment as his eyes widened in shock. "Eleanor's maid?" Duncan was nodding his head, his smile not breaking. "I haven't approached her yet, but I have been keeping tabs on her and know her real mate rejected her which somehow works to my advantage, you know.""What about your mate?"Duncan shrugged casually. "I have been crushing on Evie for as long as I can remember, Geroge. I am telling her tonight. If there's anything I'm certain of, is that I see the way she looks at me sometimes in a sneaky way.""That didn't answer my question, Duncan. Do you want to break her heart in the future?
Drakken threw himself at Benjamin at his words, already deciding within himself that if Benjamin wanted the throne then he had to win him for it. But one thing was for sure; he was done tolerating the bullshit called his stepbrother. As the situation was right now, someone's head had to roll for peace to reign.He delivered a clean punch to his guts and Benjamin toppled over, spewing out blood. When Drakken went to punch once more, Benjamin was very fast to move away, giving Drakkn a kick to the face. George rushed to carry Eleanor from the ground, getting Benjamin's attention who was on the verge of attacking Drakken and Drakken used the opportunity to clasp his big hands around his shoulders and crushed it over his knees. There was a painful growl and Benjamin started transforming into his hideous wolf.This was part of the reason Drakken had never been comfortable around Benjamin. When he was born, he overheard his father telling Benjamins's mother that he was never going to accep
Eleanor’s hands shook uncontrollably as tears streamed down her face. The world had stopped making sense to her. How could she have been so blind to the truth? The man she had trusted with her heart and her secrets had been the one responsible for the greatest tragedy of her life.She remembered the day when her family was murdered, the horror and pain etched into her memory forever. It had been Drakken who murdered them. And to think, she had trusted him all this time.But that wasn't the worst of it. The spy had gone ahead to reveal the thing that made Eleanor's heart sink to her stomach. Drakken was the one who had violated her, stolen her innocence and left her with scars that would never heal. And Nicky, the boy she had grown to love as her own, was the product of that brutal assault.Eleanor felt like her whole world was crumbling around her. She had lost everything, her family, her dignity, and her love. How could she face Nicky now? How could she tell him that the man he was s
Drakken charged through the palace, his eyes scanning every corner and room for any sign of Eleanor. His mind was in turmoil, his thoughts consumed by the fear that something terrible had happened to her. He could feel his wolf inside him, agitated and restless, struggling to break free in his anger.Every room he searched, every door he opened, brought him no closer to finding her."Drakken, you need to calm down," George said as he approached him. "Destroying the palace won't help us find Eleanor.""I can't just sit here and do nothing!" Drakken snapped, his voice rising in frustration. "Eleanor is out there somewhere, and make sure she is safe."Duncan stepped forward and placed a hand on Drakken's shoulder. "We understand how you feel, but we need to approach this logically. We'll cover more ground if we split up and search different areas of the palace."He took a deep breath and tried to reign in his anger, but it wasn't easy.Just then, Emma appeared at the end of the hall. She
Merit’s hands closed around a heavy object when Benjamin turned back to Eleanor. Before she could even raise the object to strike, Benjamin lunged at her with incredible speed. Merit tried to dodge, but he was too fast. He caught her by the throat and lifted her off the ground, squeezing with all his strength.Merit gasped for air as she struggled to break free, but Benjamin's grip was too strong. She could feel her vision starting to fade as the world around her turned black.Suddenly, Benjamin was thrown back by a force. Merit crashed to the ground, gasping for breath as she tried to regain her bearings. When she looked up, she saw that Eleanor had somehow managed to break free from her restraints.Eleanor was wielding a chair, her hands still bound tightly to it as she swung it at Benjamin. Merit watched in horror as Benjamin dodged the blow, and the chair hit her instead.Merit's head spun as she tried to shake off the blow. She could feel the blood rushing to her head as she stru
Eleanor slowly opened her eyes, her head throbbing with a dull ache. She blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the darkness that surrounded her. Panic rose within her as she realized that she had no memory of how she ended up here.As she tried to get up, she felt a sharp pain in her ankle and winced. Her heart was pounding now as she looked around the room, hoping to find some clue as to where she was. But the room was empty, except for a single chair in the corner.She tried to shout for help, but her voice was hoarse and barely audible. Suddenly, the lights came on, and she squinted, trying to adjust to the sudden brightness.To her horror, she saw two figures standing in front of her, smirking evilly. It was Merit and Benjamin.She attempted to get up, but her ankle throbbed with pain, and she collapsed back onto the ground."Merit!” She said in shock from seeing her. “What the hell is going on?" Eleanor demanded, her voice strained.Merit stepped forward and delivered a hot sl
Drakken sighed heavily as he stood up from his desk, shuffling papers into neat piles before grabbing his black leather jacket from the back of his chair. He had been looking forward to this meeting for days, hoping to persuade the Vampire King to leave the palace and take his daughter with him. He was also about to send word to Eleanor that he wouldn't be joining her tonight. But now, with the news that George had just delivered, his mind was elsewhere."You were right about Gwendolyn," George was saying. "I caught her...with one of the palace guards."Drakken shook his head disapprovingly. "I told you so. It's best to forget about Gwendolyn. She isn't good for you. You'll find your mate soon enough."George nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "And you deserve to be with yours.""I will be dismissing Gwendolyn and her father from the palace tonight. It's long overdue."As a slight frown appeared on George's face at the news, Drakken felt frustrated with his fri
Eleanor stirred in her bed and tried to shake off the remnants of sleep. She rubbed her bleary eyes and groaned, dragging herself out of bed as the carpeted floorboards protested beneath her weight as if voicing their own complaints about being disturbed so early in the morning. Eleanor stumbled into the bathroom, staring at her haggard reflection in the mirror and wondering how she would make it through the day.She was feeling restless that morning, and so she opted for a run. That was the only thing that could calm her, or at least she hoped.Eleanor put on her running shoes, tied her hair in a ponytail, and started to jog toward the forest at the back of the palace.As she entered the forest, she felt the cool breeze on her face, and her mind started to clear. She was running at a steady pace, but soon, she felt that same sensation that she always felt when she came here- like something was about to burst out of her.Eleanor stopped in her tracks and knelt down on the ground. She