ANNORAThe fire has licked off a nice portion of the dress, stealing its beauty away by a considerable amount and I just stood there, oscillating between thoughts and actions.The maids looked at me like a mistake, their judgments so heavy that I could almost trip over it. Lady Wendeline glared at me and oh, I was glad no knives were near.Those eyes looked like she wouldn’t hesitate to kill. “I am sorry…” I said in a squeaky voice. “It was never my intention to…do that to you. I am so sorry.”My words lingered in the air and a cold chill took over the room, making bumps rise on my skin. The next words from Lady Wendeline only sent my fear through the roof. “Leave us,” She ordered, leaving me to wonder if I was a part of the ‘us’ she’d mentioned. Oh, jeez. Lady Agnes spared me one last sympathetic look before heading out quietly.I clenched my toes in fear, feeling a rumbling sensation at the depth of my stomach and lump in my throat. Still, I tried to maintain a stoic exterior, not
ANNORAThe pain was fleeting, replaced by a wave of pleasure that coursed through my veins. I felt his mark take hold, a claim that went beyond words.He just…made me his. That phrase continued to relentlessly ring in my head, never-ending.But as the reality of what had just happened sunk in, I pushed him away, trying to process my emotions. “We need to call it a night,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.Kairel's eyes gleamed with a mixture of sadness yet understanding, and he didn't argue. “I understand. Please, have a good night's rest. I asked the maid to arrange you a room in—”“That won’t be necessary, thank you.” After what just happened? Hell no.I turned and fled, seeking the solitude of the storage room where I slept.As I lay on my makeshift bed, I couldn't shake off the feeling of Kairel's mark on my skin. It was as if his bite had awakened a part of me that I couldn't ignore.Was I ever going to recover from this? My revenge was taking too much from me.The next mo
AEGONAs I stood across the room, my eyes locked onto the vision in red. Annora. Sin. I couldn't believe my eyes. She looked... stunning. The dress hugged her curves in all the right places, and her white-blond hair shone like gold in the dim light. She radiated confidence, her head held high as she scanned the room.I didn’t expect that Kairel would be bold enough to have her there, despite Wendeline’s apprehension. There were a lot of things I didn’t expect.Apparently, I wasn’t the only one taken aback by the woman on the mask. Everyone was, but not many of them could recognize her. I did without trying.I felt a pang of surprise, followed by a twinge of jealousy that picked me up. Who was this woman, and why was she with Kairel? I didn't like it—not one bit.I made my way through the crowd, my eyes never leaving Annora’s face. As I approached, I could see the fear lurking in her eyes. She averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing.“Kairel, Annora,” I said, my voice low and smooth. “Y
ANNORAImmediately, I snapped my head and watched Kairel laughing with Wendeline, my anger simmered just below the surface. How could he not tell me the truth about where he was going? Didn't he trust me? The real question was, why would he be doing this much for? The anger mixed with guilt caused me to ball my hands into fist as I advanced in their direction.I took a deep breath and approached them, my eyes fixed on Kairel's back. Wendeline's voice was raised, her words dripping with venom.“...stupid for giving everything up for a woman you barely even know. She's not worth it, Kairel.”My heart twisted in my chest. Worth it? Was that what Kairel thought? That I was worth risking everything for?Wendeline's eyes flicked to mine, and her expression smoothed out. “Excuse me,” she mentioned, anger inking every word. “Ithink I'll go get some fresh air.”As she walked away, Kairel turned to me, his eyes narrowing. “Annora, what's wrong?”I took a deep breath, my anger boiling over. “We
ANNORA“Can you even believe this?” Sora asked for the hundredth time as she ran around the room, throwing her arms happily in the air.Her childlike excitement always increased the buzz, and for a moment, I was able to drift my mind away from the impending doom. All sorts of bad things were about to happen.I could just feel it. My eyes roamed the walls of the room and a sigh ripped from my throat. “Tell me about it. It’s beautiful,” I responded truthfully, faking a smile.Sora was just recovering. I wouldn't want her to have something else to worry about so early. “You must have charmed him so much to have him go this length for you,” Sora said as she settled next to me on the bed. “I feel bad for the poor thing, he must think he’s found the love of his life, but how wrong is he? They deserve everything coming for them!” Despite the knot in my stomach, I had to agree. Everyone in Devil’sDen deserved what was coming for them. What was wrong with a little lie or a little deception?
AEGONThe stench was killing, but the message wouldn’t. Too bad this family dinner couldn’t involve Wendeline— she’d rather die than sit in a room, before an array of dead animals.But I waited until Annora was here. This was my gift to her. Her scent was the first to hit my nose, way before the doors even opened, and I repositioned myself in my seat. A small part of me wondered why this was even necessary.I needed to break her. As much as I didn’t want Kairel to leave, I couldn’t help but think his leaving was the best thing that could have happened in this situation. I had two months to turn the entire thing around, and I wouldn’t take any chances.I caught a whiff of her scent, mixed with a faint strawberry perfume that took hold of the room despite the acrid, disgusting smell I’d sat in. This small woman did have qualities a man would die for— perhaps she’d charmed Kairel that way too.Good thing I was no man.I was a beast and I wanted to keep that etched deeply into her memory.
ANNORAMy hand crashed against his cheek before I could tell what was happening. The realization of what I’d done wrapped around my neck and I reluctantly collected my hand, clasping it as I took in his expression.First, it was shock , then it was deliberation, his brow giving the faintest movement as though he had asked himself if I’d just done that.I had the same question. Did I just…do that? I staggered back as my heart burst into a frenzy. The images of what he would and could to me spread in my mindspace faster than venom.Fear enveloped me, and I could barely look into his darkened eyes, orbs holding so much malice I feared I’d disappear. Maintaining a sweet line between running away and being brave, I headed out of the room, my heart almost tearing itself out of my chest.I slapped the Alpha, and he’d killed people for less. The way he looked at me, he would never let that slide. The judgemental looks I got from maids and guards alike had become routine, it didn’t faze me any
AEGONReality check, Aegon? What the fuck are you doing? It was too late to question that, as I now had a lady silently walking behind me as I headed to my chamber. Everything was wrong with this situation.This was the pain I’d wanted to see her in, to revel in the joy of watching tears run down her face as I’d naturally done with others. For some reason, I felt a tightening in my chest each time I saw her expression clouded in sadness, almost like I took a share of it, but that was unlike me.I was never sad, never happy. I just…existed. Maybe because I cared about Kairel so much, I was also compelled to protect his mate. That had to be it. Reaching the manor, I turned to Annora, and caught the skeptical look on her face, mixed with traces of fear.She’d be stupid not to be afraid. “Come on,” I said, “I won’t bite. At least not tonight.” Annora’s eyes widened, and the corner of my lips tugged into a smile. “I’m kidding.”Heck. I didn’t have to explain that to her. I led her in, and
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 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
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
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
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
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
AEGONFuck! Fuck!“Wendeline!” I bellowed as I pummeled down the hallway with my heart in my throat, set ablaze with fury. With worry.What happened!? What happened to her?? All I heard from the maid was that she was passed unconscious and I lost it all— every single tinge of sanity left in me vanished and I was left a mere shell of what I was supposed to be.I’d become less of an Alpha. More of a brother. A mere, powerful brother. I took the turn that led me outside, to the healers tent and the crowd pointed where I needed to look.“Leave! All of you!” I panted, sweat dripping from my head. My visual was clouded and my head pounded. Not Wendeline. Not her. I had done everything and would anything to ensure she never got hurt, ever. All of this was for her! Every single thing. “Where is she!? What happened?!” There was no one to question, I’d just sent them all away. The closer I got to the healer’s doorstep, the harder walking seemed. There was a clog in my chest– a sharp, shapele
ANNORAI made my way through the winding corridors, my feet carrying me on autopilot as my mind replayed the events of the past hour. Wendeline's words still stung, and I couldn't help but wonder why she hated me so much. My heart still raced fast from managing all that tension.Eventually, I found myself standing outside the healer's hut, my hand reaching out to knock on the door. But before I could, the door swung open, and a stern-looking healer blocked my path.“Can I help you?” she asked gruffly, eyeing me up and down that I felt like the smallest thing to ever exist.“I'm here to see Sora,” I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral.The healer raised an eyebrow. “I'm afraid that's not possible. Magnus is attending to her, and he's given strict instructions that no one is to disturb her.”Fiery anger gushed in my veins, but I knew better than to argue with the healer. Instead, I nodded curtly and turned to leave.But as I walked away, I caught sight of Magnus sitting in the cor
AEGON“Wendeline?” Annora whispered, biting into the word like it was the most distasteful thing she’d ever named. “Is that Wendeline?”I shook my head, shifting my attention back to the the door, “Come–” “Are you insane?!” Annora yelled at me, wide-eyed like I had taken a knife to her neck. “You can’t let her in! She will know I am here. In the same room as you, Oh my god. She can’t find me here.”My brow pulled together because I didn’t understand what the problem with that situation was supposed to be. “And?”“And??” She repeated, then got cut short by Wendeline’s persistent knocking. “How else can I get out?”“You’re thinking about yourself way too much, woman.” I stood up and headed for the door, “Just sit still and look pretty. You being here is almost as insignificant as–”I heard a puffing sound and turned on my heels, then the scent hit me. Annora was way busy and determined to spray my perfume all over the room to cover her scent. What? And that wasn’t all, she dashed int