Princess Yeri.“This is not a marriage.”“This is not a marriage.” Magnus repeats to me and I exhale, loud enough for him to hear.“We are mates.” I whisper, raising my eyes to look at him.“Yes, I read that in your letter.” Magnus notes.“Good. So, it is a bond.” I claim.“A bond? I stand to be corrected but that man hates you. I felt it in his voice, I saw it in his eyes…tell me, has he forced himself on you?—”“If he did, he would be dead.” I hiss, rising on my feet while he stays seated.“So, what did he do?” Magnus asks and I stare back at him in shock.“Are you mad? What sort of a question are you asking me? He made me submit under him! He took me away from our kingdom.” I spit.“I know but neither you nor him discussed any of that in my presence. The only thing I heard was him being a dog and you being a—”“I can’t even utter it, mercy!” Magnus cautions. “It was a lovers quarrel in there—”“Ozar and I are not lovers.” I say, raising a finger in the air.“Then, what are you?” Ma
Queen Yeri.I stand in the quiet aftermath of my brother’s departure, feeling the weight of the moment. The Gardenia Mistwalker wolves stand in disciplined rows before me are a thousand warriors—it is not even a quarter of the inheritance that my mother left to me but it is a start. As of this moment, I have two right hands. Kiesta, a warrior and lady-in-waiting that my brother trusts himself and Katal, her brother. Alice and Beth, my faithful companions have chosen to stay by my side. Though, I have made Diana leave with Magnus.We are in an open field where sand and dust are rolling like a ghostly shroud around the gathered warriors. The Mistwalker wolves are fierce and silent. They stand at attention and their eyes are fixed on me. Katal, a formidable wolf, steps forward. His voice is deep and it cuts through the thick air like a blade."Listen well," he began, echoing with the weight of centuries of tradition."We are the Gardenia army, bound by blood and honor to serve the Queen
Alpha King Orizon.Fuck!The noise all around the castle grows louder. It is an unsettling symphony of thumps, howls and growls reverberating through the walls. The feral cries and actions are making the very foundations of the castle tremble. Under my feet, I can feel it. It is as if the ancient structure of the castle quakes in response to their fury. It has been going on for twelve hours and the dowager has sent her attendants to force me to find a solution to the problem.“Fuck!” I utter for the second time.“Ozar…” Kaine says, heading towards me with Camille.“You have to speak to Yeri.” Kaine mutters.“How about you tell your wife that?” I sneer, glancing at Camille for a second.“You don’t have proof of what you are accusing me of.” She retorts but I see the truth behind her eyes.“Oh, really? Mehera should be awake by now. She will tell me exactly what happened.” I snap at her.“Of course, Mehera. The poor thing is still asleep. This noise will wake her up and it will also bri
ContdAlpha King OrizonI step out in irritation to confront this new disturbance. The echoes of the Mistwalkers’ have finally faded because the dowager has given Yeri what she wants. We have gotten only a brief silence which has now been shattered by the shrill wails of Mehera.You would think that after the uproar caused by the Mistwalkers, the castle would have fallen into a rare moment of peace. But no, Mehera's lamentation fills the void, louder and more grating than ever.I finally reache her. A king’s presence should be enough to silence anyone, yet Mehera continues, oblivious to my approach. I look down at her hands wringing in distress.“Why is no one doing anything?”“Why is no one saying anything? Yeri was one of the veiled women! I saw her. I saw her. She took my place—”“Please!” She cries.“The king is here.” A maidservant tells her and she snaps her neck to find me.“Your majesty!” She screeches. The desperation in her eyes is obvious, and without a second thought, she
Mehera.“Your parents have sent several letters. The king is not seeing them or giving an audience yet.” Bertha says, closing the door behind us and I crash to the ground.My world is spinning out of control. There is no way that I can make sense of the chaos of my life. The grand celebration that was meant to crown me queen has turned into a nightmare. I woke up to the cold, harsh reality that my dream has been shattered, stolen by none other than Yeri.I walked through the desolate halls, holding my broken heart. The glorious cathedral which was supposed to be my crowning is now a scene of devastation. Once again, my vision blurs with tears as I take in the aftermath, the wreckage of my stolen destiny. My body trembles with despair. The future I had envisioned, the power I am supposed to wield, all of it has been ripped away in an instant. How did Yeri know that I did this to her? Who told her? How could she find out? I know her to be outspoken and brave. I knew that if she were ev
Queen Yeri. For the first time, I stand in front of the grand palace—the wing that belongs to me as the new queen of Orizon. It is called the Court of Virtue. At the entrance is a majestic golden wolf statue which stands as a sentinel, its eyes are seemingly watching over anything that passes. Archways, like portals to other realms, leads to various chambers. It is a cathedral of stone and marble, towering ceilings that have beautiful frescoes. Again, gilded designs and emerald-encrusted pillars. I hate Ozar but this place is beyond words. I clear my throat, glancing left and right at the unsettling silence that has filled the space. There are no servants bustling about, no maids attending to the finery, no stewards ensuring the smooth running of this household. The emptiness gnaws at me. I pause, wondering why the halls are empty of attendants but the quiet is suddenly broken by the sound of footsteps. Gladys rushes into the entrance and she exclaims, "Your Majesty!" My heart
ContdQueen Yeri.The door shuts behind me and a shiver of apprehension runs down her spine. My eye sweeps over the first space, taking in the austere decor that reflects Ozar's temperament— the first thing I encounter is his grand receiving room. Beyond it are a series of corridors, each one lined with dark wood and lit by glowing sconces.A large fireplace dominates one wall, its mantle is lined with ancient artifacts and trophies. The scent of burning cedarwood lingers in the air and to the left, there’s a massive oak desk. The leather-bound chair is imposing, built for a man of his stature.I move cautiously. My footsteps are barely making a sound as I cross the threshold into the corridor that leads to his bedchamber. Asher's words about Ozar's bloodline reverberates in my mind and it heightens my unease. In the bedroom, there are velvet drapes cascading down from the windows. I stare at the imposing bed at the centre—its sheets are ruffled, as if Ozar had been lying there only mo
Princess Yeri.Ozar slides my dress off my shoulders. His rough fingers trace the line of my collarbone, peeling the gown away until it pools around my waist. My hands work with equal urgency, fumbling with the belt at his waist. The sound of leather sliding through loops is quickly followed by a sharp click as I unfasten it. Ozar allows me, for a brief moment of control before he takes over, yanking the belt free and it clatters against the floor.His calloused hands that have played in the art of war slips under. Ozar pulls my underwear down, yanking it away and tossing it aside. I gasp as the last barrier between us is removed and he reaches for my lips.With both of his hands, Ozar grabs my face and his lips crashes against mine in fierce hunger. He pushes his tongue into my mouth—his fervour makes my knees weak. His mouth tastes of rain, like the first drops of a storm that could quench the earth. So raw and untamed, a tempest can neither be tamed nor ignored. A potent blend of wh