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Annalisa 27
27ADRAINThe Duke’s mansion loomed before us, an imposing structure that seemed to frown down upon us with its gargoyle-laden facade. Annalisa, ever the optimist, skipped ahead, a cheerful bounce in her step. Me? I couldn’t help but feel a sliver of apprehension gnaw at my insides.Her father, the Duke du Wales, was a man of formidable reputation. A decorated war hero, a stern leader, and, according to Annalisa’s whispered warnings, not exactly known for his warm and fuzzy personality. The thought of facing him, seeking his approval (or at least, tolerance) made my palms slick with sweat.We entered the grand hall, a cavernous space adorned with gleaming suits of armor and battle standards. A faint scent of leather and polish hung in the air. Annalisa, bless her heart, squeezed my hand reassuringly.“Don’t worry, Adrian,” she murmured, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Just remember, you’re a war hero too. You practically have ‘imposing’ written all over you.”I couldn’t help but snor
Last Updated : 2024-10-07Annalisa 28
28ANNALISAA jolt rattled the carriage, sending a jolt of surprise through me. I glanced out the window, expecting to see a particularly nasty pothole, but the dusty road stretched out before us, smooth and uneventful. However, a prickling unease wormed its way into my stomach.“Did you feel that, Father?” I asked, frowning.The Duke, engrossed in a stack of parchment documents, barely looked up. “Feel what, child?”“A bump,” I elaborated. “Or a wobble, perhaps. The carriage seems a little… unsteady.”He grunted noncommittally, muttering something about overly sensitive stomachs and the perils of travelling after a large breakfast. I bristled. My stomach wasn’t sensitive, and the wobble – if that’s what you wanted to call it – had been quite distinct.Ignoring his dismissive tone, I pressed on. “But Father, shouldn’t we at least have the coachman check it out? It could be a loose wheel or something.”He finally met my gaze, a hint of annoyance flickering across his features. “Annalis
Last Updated : 2024-10-07Annalisa 29
29SPENCERA manic grin stretched across my face as the rumble of the carriage grew fainter in the distance. My plan was unfolding beautifully. That rickety old bridge, weakened by my “subtle” tinkering, wouldn’t stand a chance under the weight of the Duke’s carriage. Annalisa and the old goat – poetic justice, wouldn’t you say? – would be taking an unexpected swim in the river below.Images of sprawling estates and overflowing coffers danced in my head. Freedom. Luxury. A life of leisure spent on the beaches of distant lands, far away from the dusty confines of Kano. Me, Spencer Cavendish, finally living the life I deserved.A twig snapped under my foot, shattering the blissful reverie. Anne emerged from the shadows, her eyes gleaming with a devilish amusement that mirrored my own.“Well, Spencer,” she drawled, her voice dripping with satisfaction, “did the bridge cooperate?”“Cooperate?” I scoffed. “It practically rolled out the welcome mat for them.” I couldn’t resist a theatrical
Last Updated : 2024-10-07Annalisa 30
30ANNALISEMy arms were crossed so tightly they were starting to resemble pretzels. Dad, on the other hand, looked like a kicked puppy – all droopy eyes and slumped shoulders. We were in a stalemate, the kind that usually involved a silent treatment lasting for days (a record was two weeks, fueled by a particularly disastrous attempt at a soufflé on my part). This time, however, the silence crackled with electricity.“But Dad,” I finally burst out, unable to contain myself any longer, “it’s a prince! A literal prince!”He sighed, a sound that seemed to deflate him further. “Annalise, honey, there’s more to life than tiaras and carriages.”“But isn’t that kind of the point?” I countered, throwing my hands up in exasperation. “It’s a chance to, you know, do something grand! Make a difference!”Dad snorted, a dry, humorless sound. “The only difference you’ll be making is the colour of your bank account, sweetheart. And trust me, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows on the other side of fa
Last Updated : 2024-10-07Annalisa 31
31SPENCERI saw Anne stumbling in, looking exhausted. We had been on a wild goose chase, searching for the duke and Annalise, and it seemed like we had finally called it quits for the night.“Spencer, I’m so glad to be back,” Anne said, flopping down on the bed next to me. “I don’t know if I can go on with this any longer.”I looked over at her, taking in her disheveled appearance and the exhaustion etched on her face. I knew how she felt; the past few days had been grueling, and we had yet to find any trace of the duke and Annalise.“Hey, it’s okay,” I said, reaching out to brush a strand of hair out of her face. “We’ll figure something out. But for now, why don’t we take a break and relax?”Anne nodded, her eyes heavy-lidded. “That sounds like a good idea.”I moved closer to her, our bodies pressing together as I began to kiss her neck. I could feel her relax into me, her breathing becoming slower and deeper. I trailed kisses down to her collarbone, nibbling gently on the skin ther
Last Updated : 2024-10-07Annalisa 32
32ANNALISAThe world swam around me, a kaleidoscope of throbbing pain and disorientation. My head pounded like a drum solo gone horribly wrong, and the metallic tang of blood filled my mouth. The carriage… the crash… it all came flooding back in a sickening wave.Disoriented, I blinked, trying to make sense of my surroundings. We were at the bottom of a steep embankment, the mangled wreckage of the carriage lying testament to our violent descent. Dad, thankfully, was stirring beside me, a groan escaping his lips.Relief flooded me, warm and sweet. He was alive! But judging by the way he winced as he tried to sit up, alive wasn’t exactly synonymous with spry.“Dad!” I cried, scrambling towards him, ignoring the searing protest from my own ankle.“Annalise?” he rasped, his voice weak. “What happened?”“The carriage,” I explained, my voice shaking. “It went out of control.” Thankfully, the darkness veiled the expression on my face, hiding the fear that threatened to consume me. Who was
Last Updated : 2024-10-07Annalisa 33
33ADRAINFEW HOURS AGOFrustration gnawed at me like a particularly persistent rat. I’d lost Annalise. One minute she was strolling down the flower-lined path, the next, she was a wisp of lavender chiffon disappearing into the night. Poof! Gone like a magician’s disappearing act, only without the applause (or the cute bunny in a top hat).Kicking at a pebble with unnecessary force, I retraced my steps, grumbling under my breath. My mission to win Annalise’s heart, it seemed, had hit a rather large snag. Not to mention, I now had a very disgruntled Duchess breathing down my neck.Speaking of disgruntled Duchesses, the imposing figure of Her Royal Highness Camilla, Duchess of Wales, materialized in front of me, her posture as rigid as a Buckingham Palace guard. This wasn’t exactly the meet-cute I had envisioned.“Mr. Adrain,” she began, her voice laced with an icy disdain that could curdle milk at fifty paces. “A word, if you please.”I swallowed, forcing down a sarcastic retort. It pr
Last Updated : 2024-10-07Annalisa 34
34ANNALISAThe world narrowed to the sliver of space between the floorboards and the bottom of the heavy oak door. My heart hammered a frantic tattoo against my ribs, each beat a frantic drumroll echoing my fear. Spencer’s voice, laced with a sickeningly sweet amusement, sent shivers down my spine.“Annalise, Annalise,” he cooed, the sound as grating as fingernails on a chalkboard. “Playing hide-and-seek, are we? Not very sporting, don’t you think?”Trapped. The word echoed in my mind, a cold, suffocating truth. The woman, bless her kind heart, wouldn’t be able to hold him off for long. I had to do something.But what?A memory, a flicker in the recesses of my mind, surfaced. Self-defense lessons. Dad, his voice booming with mock seriousness, teaching me how to block a punch, how to use my body weight to my advantage.A spark of defiance ignited within me. Maybe I wasn’t completely helpless after all.As the sound of the doorknob rattling intensified, I scrambled to my feet, adrenali
Last Updated : 2024-10-07
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Annalisa 90
90JANETThe night felt endless as I tossed and turned, caught in a whirlpool of nightmares. Each time I closed my eyes, Marcus’s screams echoed in my mind, piercing the dark like a knife. His face twisted in terror, eyes wide with panic. I could feel his fear wrap around me like a cold fog, suffocating and real.I jolted awake, my heart racing. The remnants of his screams clung to the edges of my consciousness. I tried to sit up, but my body felt heavy, as if I were dragging a weight behind me. The bed sheets were tangled around my legs, and I fought to free myself, but the dream lingered, making it hard to breathe.As I finally pulled myself upright, I felt a sharp heat on my shoulder, and instinctively, I pressed my fingers against the spot where Marcus had marked me. It burned. The area felt hot and red, a reminder of his twisted claim on me. I shivered, recalling his words echoing in my mind: *You will forever partake in my suffering and pain.*The bitterness of those words twist
Annalisa 89
89ANNALISEI stood in the clearing, the remnants of our victory still echoing in my ears, I turned to face Janet. The moment felt monumental, heavy with the weight of our shared past. I had witnessed her strength, her courage, and I knew she was ready to lead the pack into a new future.“Janet,” I began, my voice steady. “I am handing you the leadership of the pack. You are their alpha now. You have the strength and wisdom to guide them.”Her eyes widened in surprise, a mix of joy and disbelief flickering across her face. “Annalise, I… I don’t know what to say.”“Just accept it,” I encouraged her, a smile creeping onto my lips. “You’ve earned this. They need you, and I trust you to lead them well.”Janet stepped forward, her eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Annalise. I promise I will do my best.”I nodded, feeling a swell of pride. “I know you will. You have always been stronger than you think.”As I turned to leave, Janet called out to me, urgency lacing her words. “Annalise,
Annalisa 88
88ANNALISEThe air was charged with energy, and I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on us. I stood before Marcus, my heart pounding in my chest. This was it. I had to make this choice—not just for myself, but for everyone who had suffered under his cruel rule.“Marcus Blackwood,” I began, my voice steady despite the fear bubbling inside me. “You have brought chaos and destruction to this realm. Your actions have hurt so many, and now, you will face the consequences.”He sneered, his bravado still intact, but I could see the cracks in his facade. “You think you can banish me? I am stronger than you can imagine!”Ignoring his taunts, I raised the totem high above my head. The ancient symbols glowed bright, casting an ethereal light across the clearing. “By the power vested in me, I pronounce your banishment into utter darkness!”The energy crackled around me, and I could feel the pull of magic surging through my veins. The air thickened, swirling around us, and a deep,
Annalisa 87
87ANNALISEThe tension in the air was thick as Nula raised her hand. Her gesture was clear. Lemuel, the captain of the pack, stepped forward, his voice booming with authority. “We surrender! Lower your weapons!”The pack obeyed without hesitation, their eyes shifting nervously from Marcus to Nula. I could feel their fear, but it was a different kind of fear than before—this was the fear of the unknown. Would Marcus retaliate?Marcus transformed, his muscles rippling under his dark fur. He let out a furious roar that echoed through the clearing. The sound sent chills down my spine. With one swift movement, he charged at Nula, his claws extended.“No!” I shouted, but it was too late. Marcus scratched Nula with his paw and bit down hard. She went down, blood pooling beneath her, and my heart dropped.“Protect her!” I yelled, urgency racing through me. The pack quickly transformed, forming a protective ring around Marcus, but he was wild, thrashing against their hold.I clenched my fists
Annalisa 86
86SPENCERFLASHBACKThe grand hall of the Blackwood clan was filled with tension as I faced the royal family, their expressions a mix of curiosity and unease. The dim light from the ornate chandeliers cast long shadows, highlighting the seriousness of our meeting. I could feel my heart racing, knowing the weight of what I was about to reveal. I took a deep breath, ready to expose the truth about Marcus.“Thank you for gathering here,” I started, trying to steady my voice. “I have urgent news about Marcus and his plans. What I’m about to share is crucial for the future of our realms.”Nula, one of the prominent leaders, leaned forward, her brow furrowed with concern. “What is it, Spencer? We can sense the gravity in your tone. Speak freely.”I nodded, gathering my thoughts. “Marcus is not just seeking power; his intentions are far more sinister. His plan is to cause chaos among all the realms. He wants to open the door to the utter dark realm to free the Blackwood alpha clan that was
Annalisa 85
85ANNALISEThe night was charged with energy, an electric tension crackling in the air as I floated above the two armies, suspended under the eerie glow of the blood-red moon. Below me, warriors lined up, their faces a mix of fear and determination. I could feel their anxiety swirling like a storm. Marcus and Spencer stood at the forefront, their expressions betraying their confidence.I took a deep breath, feeling the power surge through me, ready to speak the truth they had tried so hard to conceal. “The Blackwood clan has a secret desire. A desire to corrupt all realms, to make them bend to their will. You stand at the brink of destruction, facing a choice that could save you.”The murmur of disbelief rippled through the crowd. I could see Marcus’s eyes narrow, assessing the situation, realizing he could not ignore what I was saying. “You think you can sway us with empty threats? The Blackwood family will not yield to your whims.”I raised my voice, letting it echo through the nig
Annalisa 84
84ANNALISEI stood by the window, gazing out at the horizon. The sun dipped below the trees, casting a warm glow over the landscape. It felt like a moment frozen in time. Adrian stood beside me, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from him. I didn’t want to look away, not now.“Isn’t it beautiful?” he asked, his voice soft, breaking the comfortable silence between us.I nodded, still lost in thought. “It reminds me of those days in the village when the sun would set, and everything felt perfect.”Adrian turned to me, his eyes searching mine. “Do you miss it? The village, I mean.”I took a breath, trying to find the right words. “Sometimes. But I think it’s not just the village I miss. It’s the feeling of safety, of knowing where I belong.”He shifted slightly, leaning closer. “You belong with me, you know that, right?”His words sent a rush of warmth through me. I turned to face him, our eyes locking. “I want to believe that. But everything has changed. We’ve both cha
Annalisa 83
83SPENCERI walked into Marcus’s office, and the air felt thick with anger. Marcus stood by his desk, his fists clenched, the tension between us practically crackling. I could tell something was wrong even before he turned to me.“Why did the royal family withdraw their packs into the realm?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.I took a breath, steadying myself. “They wanted to meet you in the realm, Marcus. They won’t fight alongside you unless you go there.”His expression darkened. “They’re betraying me at a time like this?”Before I could respond, he grabbed a wineglass from his desk and hurled it at the wall behind me. I dodged just in time to see it shatter, glass flying in all directions.“Do they think they can just abandon me when victory is so close?” Marcus’s voice dripped with fury.I had to keep my cool. “They have their reasons. They believe the earth realm limits their power. If we fight here, they won’t be able to harness their full potential. They need the bloo
Annalisa 82
82ANNALISEI needed to see Sumel. The thought consumed me as I paced the small apartment where Molu had brought us. I felt the weight of everything resting on my shoulders, and I knew that Sumel’s strength could make a difference in our fight.“Can you take me to him?” I asked Molu, my voice steady but filled with urgency.Molu nodded, his expression serious. “Of course. Follow me.”As we walked through the ancient corridors, I felt a strange mix of hope and fear. Sumel had always been a source of wisdom and strength. But the last time I saw him, he had been weakened by Marcus’s darkness. I had to believe that I could help him.When we reached the small chamber where Sumel rested, my heart sank. He lay on a simple bed, his face pale and drawn. The flickering candlelight cast shadows over him, making him look even more fragile.“Sumel,” I whispered, moving closer to his side.His eyes fluttered open, and a faint smile crossed his lips. “Annalise,” he breathed, his voice barely above a
