ANNORAI sat outside the healer's tent, my eyes fixed on the entrance as if willing Sora and Wendeline to wake up and tell me everything was going to be okay. But the tent remained still, the only sound coming from Magnus's humming as he tended to his patients.I felt a lump form in my throat as I thought about everything that had happened. Aegon's anger, Wendeline's slap, the maids' accusations... it all swirled together in my mind like a toxic storm.And Aegon... why hadn't he even listened to me? Why had he assumed the worst and turned against me? I felt a sting of hurt and betrayal, and before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face.I wiped them away, feeling a sense of determination dawn on me, or maybe it was foolishness. But I needed to talk to Aegon, to make him understand what had really happened. I stood up, my heart pounding in my chest, and began to make my way to his chamber.But before I could take more than a few steps, three guards appeared before me, their faces
AEGONHow do I deal with my conscience?Wrong question. When did I even develop a conscience? My attention was fixated on the pile of documents I had to work on, but I couldn’t barely see a word of it clearly. It had all blurred terribly before my eyes, and my mind was filled with thoughts of Annora and where she was. The worst of all dungeons. It was a war in my head— clashing between what I should have done and what I did, but where was the line? This should be easier for me.It was a mere maid, the daughter of the same man who’d ruined everything I needed. My actions were justified, but my heart could barely rest. Heat seemed to blossom in the low of my stomach, alongside a disturbing swirl that ached.This physical dilemma had never been something I’ve had to deal with. It was a new feeling, ever so nauseating and excessively frustrating. Sitting up with the pen in my grip, I tried to shift my concentration, but my mind reeled.I stood up and began to prance the room. I’d been
ANNORAAegon's lips touched mine, and I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. All I could do was sit there, frozen in shock, as he deepened the kiss.But as the seconds ticked by, something inside me shifted. It was like a dam had burst, releasing a flood of emotions I'd been trying to keep locked away. I felt myself melting into the kiss, my lips parting to allow Aegon deeper access.It was like the entire world had come alive. Every sensation was heightened, every feeling intensified. I could feel Aegon's heart pounding against mine, his chest rising and falling with each ragged breath. I could taste the desperation in his kiss, the hunger and the need.And I responded to it, my own desire rising up to meet his. We kissed as our lives depended on it like we were trying to devour each other whole.But eventually, Aegon pulled away, his chest heaving with exertion. I looked up at him, my eyes wide with confusion and desire. I didn’t want him to sto
AEGONBarely having a chance to process all that had happened with Annora in such a short period, another bombshell had just been dropped. Why would Magnus send such information? That sadist bastard. One of them? Just one of them? I couldn’t help but pray it was Wendeline. I needed it to be her. “Just stay here,” I said gently. It was almost as though my actions were already so out of my control. I didn't understand why I acted this way around her. “It’s still cold out. I’ll see what’s going on and come back to you.”I kissed her. I woke up to cook for her— my brother’s mate. My head felt heavy, my mind scrambled like the writing project of a toddler. But this wasn’t my priority right now. Despite recognizing that, my mind still wouldn't shut down. Annora tried to get out of bed as I picked up my coat at the speed of light, “Let me come, too. Please. I want to know who it is.”“I can’t let you do that,” I responded, eyeing her. All I could see was a weak woman who needed all the re
ANNORAI lay in bed, my mind racing with thoughts of Aegon and the kiss we shared. But as the minutes ticked by, my thoughts turned to Sora and Wendeline. Who was awake? Was it Wendeline, or was it Sora? I couldn't just sit here and do nothing. I needed to know.I threw off the covers and got out of bed, my legs feeling a bit shaky as I made my way to the healer's tent. But when I arrived, I found that it was empty. The fire was out, and the beds were vacant. I frowned, wondering where everyone could be.And then I remembered the snowstorm that had been raging outside. Maybe the healer had moved the patients to a different location to keep them safe.I decided to ask one of the maids for directions, but as I approached them, they seemed reluctant to talk to me. They whispered to each other, their eyes darting towards me before quickly looking away.I felt a surge of frustration and hurt. Why were they treating me like this? Didn't they know that I was worried sick about Sora and Wend
AEGONI stormed into the guard's chamber, my anger and frustration boiling over. I couldn't shake off the feeling of confusion and uncertainty that had been plaguing me since my conversation with Annora.“Get five of your best guards,” I barked at Darius, the commander. “I want them to spar with me in the fighting ring.”He raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by my request. “Sir, if I may ask, what's the purpose of this sparring session?”I didn't bother to answer. I just glared at him, my eyes daring him to question me further.The commander nodded hastily and summoned five of his best guards. They followed me to the fighting ring, their faces set with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d stepped foot into the ring.Even when we prepared for war with Annora's pack— I didn’t train her. This made absolutely no sense. I was the one who…took everything from her, without remorse. I didn’t understand what these feelings were. Wanting to see her, to
ANNORAI couldn’t get my eyes off Sora all through the night. A part of me felt like something could go wrong, and for the slightest second, I wasn't looking at her.Apparently, I wasn’t nearly as much as I thought. The sight of her on the floor of our room roamed into mind at intervals and the feeling of helplessness set in again, ever so vividly. I could have lost her.I knew I should focus on the fact that I had her now, but the fear had been ingrained in my brain. I was still on the same bed, resting against my elbow while my other hand carressed her hair. Her eyes were slipped shut in sleep, yet she remained innocent and oblivious of the world around her.Who would want to hurt a harmless girl like this one? I’d rather they threw all of their stones at me. I had been forced to toughen up, so it was nothing I couldn’t handle. But not Sora. She was ever so pure, heart as clean as snow as it fell.Who did this? Both the maids and guards Kairel had left to protect us had defected and
ANNORAShock could be processed in so many different ways so I processed mine by staring blankly at the maids and everything they came with. What? This was ridiculous. All of the goodies they brought would, more or less, last us three months.And he brought all of this…for us? Oh, perhaps there was a mistake. It could be Wendeline’s since she just woke up too. What was I thinking? “I think you…got the wrong person,” I stuttered, “This couldn’t possibly be ours.”“Oh, but it is,” The woman responded again, smiling. I had gotten used to all the glares and scornful faces of everyone around here that a person smiling at me weirded me out completely. “He said and I quote, she won’t be eating out for a while. Ask if it's enough or there’s more to be added.”What the heck was wrong with Aegon and why was he messing with me so? I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. After our argument, this was his way of taking care of things? By bringing me this insane amount of food?I faked a smile back as I
KAIREL What to expect from this war was unknown to me. Even though this was the case, one part of me didn't care. That part of me was ready and willing to go on this war—just to see the end of a man who did this to me. So far, I have become a beast. But was I to blame for it? No, there was no way I could be blamed for turning into who I had become even though one part of me did not believe myself also. But what could I do? Waking up this morning, these and many other thoughts ran around in my head. Deep inside of me, I hoped that Annora had reached the pack and given out messages to Aegon who should ask his armies to do the needful by now. A smile came on my countenance at the thought of how Fennic made his men go out to look for Annora who was long safe and I was certain because I could feel it. The man didn't have the slightest idea who did this. I could not let him know, either. Another smile came on my countenance and I caught up with the bathroom door, walking in s
AEGON “Wh—what did you just say?” “Yes, Alpha Aegon. I saw Kairel at The Stormbringers Pack. That's where I am coming from. I got back there and there were so many people in the Pack. I didn't expect that. One part of me thought the members were dead long ago. They are all alive including the Alpha Fennic.” I watched her closely, listening, waiting for more. “And what happened next?” I could not wait to hear it all and then deal with her in my way. How could she poison me? And why did she tell it to my face that she did? “Speak up already, Annora. I don't have all day.” I cried, taking a spoonful of the meal and putting it in my mouth. “He was there. Apparently, I was locked up in a prison for more than two days when I refused Alpha Fennic my consent to go on a war with him.” More confusion ran around in my head. What was this woman talking about? “What war?” I looked around the chamber, at the men who moped at her while some had their mouths open. “What war are you ta
AEGON My eyes opened in a room I could barely recognize. Something went on inside of me but even at that, it was hard to lay my hands on it and tell what went on exactly. Where was I? Looking around the chamber, I met the gaze of men I could also barely recognize. “Aegon?” My eyes opened the more. That voice. The voice of a woman I surely could recognize. Even if I forgot the other things I should not forget, I was ever going to recognize the voice of Annora which sounded in my head. “Annora—?” “What has happened?” Someone mumbled. “Tell me. What has happened?” The person asked me who could not and would not provide an answer to the question. If not because of anything but because I didn't know the answer. How could I open my eyes in the space of a chamber I didn't recognize, with men I also could not recognize but the voice of a woman I could recognize? Someone barged into the chamber. “What is this that I hear?” The old Healer who I now recognized, walked towa
ANNORA I ran like never before, even though I knew I had become far away from Alpha Fennic and his wicked pack. Who knew? Maybe Kairel was not safe. But at the moment, I didn't care one dime about him. Not with the many things I had on my list, of which one of them was arriving back at the pack. What was I going to say to Aegon? What would I tell him as soon as I got there? Where would I tell him I have gone to? A sigh ran out of my mouth. Automatically, I stopped running. One, because of the many thoughts running around in my head and again, the fact that I needed to put something in my mouth before I could move again. There was no time to waste. Relaxing under a tree, I realized the danger I was. A pregnant woman in a wild place like this. Where did such courage come from? I could not worry less, maybe because of the many others that needed to be done. Taking the backpack from behind me where it hung all this while, I placed it on my lap—wondering at the same
ANNORA My second day in the prison came and went. It was my third day and I had yet to take a bath. How could that even be possible? I looked around the box of a room, wishing I had not come here in the first place. Maybe I should have stayed back and endured with Aegon. But how was I going to know that he was innocent at the end of the day? All of these looked like they had a purpose but I could not lay my hands on what exactly to do in order to be gone from this prison and the Pack in total. Maybe I found out the truth to die with it. There would be no way to make corrections and this was the sad part of it. Tears ran down my cheeks at the thought and realization of this—leaving me with cries. “Good morning, Lady Annora.” Snapping out of my thoughts, I met the gaze of the wicked man who watched over me since I was brought to this prison against my wish. “Get off my face.” I declared. “My lady—” he wasn't going to listen to me. “Your food will be here in a short while
AEGON It was late in the night when I opened my eyes. I should be bothered about Annora who hasn't been found since all these while, but I wasn't and that was the least of my concern as there was something wrong with me. Something I couldn't lay my hands on. What was this? I placed my hand on my chest to ascertain but I could not. Not when I didn't have the slightest idea what was wrong. Standing on my feet, I realized how weak my bones had become. So many thoughts ran around in my head and I wondered whether it was because of how much I missed Annora and maybe Wendeline who also hasn't been found. Managing to walk to the door, I walked out. Darius was on duty. He bowed with a smile. “My lord. Do you need me to do something for you?” Nodding, I walked back into the chamber with an expectation that he would follow me which he did. “Darius. I don't know what's wrong with me—” Unable to hide it any longer, I spoke up. “Pain in my body, especially my chest. Do you think I
ANNORA “Are you two joking right now?” “No one is joking with you, Annora. I'm asking you to join hands with your family so that an end can be put to this. Don't you understand the implications of letting Aegon live? News about your situation with Kairel was told to me last night and I cannot help but wonder how you feel.” “I don't feel anyway—” I mouthed, a painful smile on my countenance. “You don't know how I feel and it should be the least of your business. If there's any way I feel, then it's because of what you've done to me and my life. Leave Alpha Aegon out of him—he's done nothing at all to you.” Kairel coughed. “You love him.” “I'm not supposed to hate him, Kairel.” “After all he's done—” he chuckled and looked at Alpha Fennic who didn't speak any longer. “We can force a horse to the river but we cannot force them to drink. That's the case right here with Annora, my lord. What do we do?” “There's nothing you can do—” I cut short their thoughts. “I want to be lef
ANNORA Shock could be seen on my countenance. I didn't want to believe what I saw. Maybe it was a dream. Maybe I was hallucinating, or was I not? “Kairel—” “Annora—” he called, a smile on his countenance. “It's me. I'm not here to hurt you.” No, I wasn't dreaming. This was more than real. I reached the lock and turned it, opening the door automatically. “What are you doing here, Kairel?” I looked around the room to be certain I was not in any way seeing visions. “Is this real?” He walked in and shut the door. “It's real, Annora. I'm the one standing right in front of you. How are you doing?” Did he really ask me that? Did he expect me to answer him? “What is going on here?” I cried. “You knew all this while that my family was alive, didn't you? You knew this pack wasn't burned to the ground, didn't you?” “I didn't know. I found out the same way you did, Annora. This is why you should understand how wicked Aegon is. Can't you see for yourself already?” What was
ANNORA I had spent over a week in this pack. Even though this was another home of mine, I felt more like a total stranger. My identity, even though I knew what I looked like, became strange to me and I thought about how unfortunate I was all day in the chamber where I spent my day and night. There were so many thoughts. My eyes had been open all day. No, all night. So many thoughts went around in my head and one was the costly mistake I had made as I wondered if it was or wasn't too late for me to thwart what I had done. What have I done? What else if not poison Aegon who had done nothing at all to me? How could I be so wicked to him? Was he dead already? Why didn't I think twice before making that decision? These and more thoughts ran around in my head, especially if I wanted to have the baby. A fatherless child. What would I say to him or her was the end of their father? A deep sigh ran out of my mouth as I looked out the window, realizing the day had broken. Also, I realiz