Asher I focused on Lila as if trying to unravel every secret she held. Something about how she looked at me—soft but guarded—tugged at a part of me I didn’t know existed. The connection between us pulsing with a magnetic pull I couldn’t ignore. Her eyes drew me in. It was insane how the bond had transformed everything and made her the center of my world.Her breathing quickened, and I caught the flicker of desire in her gaze, mirroring my own. My fingers itched to touch her, to close the gap between us entirely, and I couldn’t stop myself any longer. Slowly, I reached out and drew her closer. My hands rested on her waist, feeling the warmth of her skin through the thin fabric of her robe.I leaned in and brushed my lips against hers, softly at first, to test the waters. The kiss was gentle, like the first raindrop before a storm, but the intensity built quickly. I groaned with desire when her tongue wrapped against mine and deepened the kiss, letting my desire speak for me. Her lip
Diana's POV“Darling, what’s going on between you and Eddie?"My heart skipped so hard it could have been auditioning for a circus act. I blinked at Asher, pretending I didn’t understand the question. “What do you mean?” I asked, keeping my voice even as possible, though I could feel the panic creeping in.Asher leaned back. His eyes flicked between Eddie and me, who stood off and looked far too relaxed. “I mean, I’ve noticed the dwindling rapport between you two. You don’t invite him to dinners like you used to, and the friendship you two had seems off.”I swallowed hard, fighting to glare at Eddie, who dared to look amused. “That’s not true,” I said quickly, shaking my head. I turned to Eddie, forcing a smile onto my face. “We’re fine. Right, Eddie?”Eddie tucked his hands into his pockets, enjoying my discomfort. “Maybe Lila’s just outgrowing me,” he said, his voice dripping with mock hurt.I gave him a playful nudge and burst into a fake laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous. Why would you
Diana's POVI stood before the mirror, adjusting the gem-encrusted crown on my head. The rubies and emeralds sparkled under the light. It wasn’t too heavy, but it carried the weight of expectations. On my wrists, gold bracelets chimed softly as they shifted. I kept the jewelry minimal—Lila’s style may have been extravagant, but I wasn’t trying to blind anyone. My dress was a lavender silk that fell in gentle folds to the floor. It hugged my figure but wasn’t overly revealing, just enough to suggest elegance without making me feel like a walking chandelier.With a final glance in the mirror, I sighed. I’d been dreading this evening since Asher suggested I reconnect with Lila’s friends. Friends who probably thrived on scandal and gossip. I could only imagine what they thought of Lila’s miraculous return.When I stepped into the garden, the cool evening breeze hit my face, carrying the mingled scents of flowers and spiced wine. The guests were scattered around, and their voices rose and
Asher's POVI watched Lila out of the corner of my eye, and, for what felt like the hundredth time since her return, she left me utterly bewildered. The Lila I knew could barely sit through a meeting without finding an excuse to leave or turning the conversation into a complaint about her busy life. Yet here she was, standing amidst a group of widows, nodding intently as if their every word was sacred.She wasn’t just standing there. She was listening, really listening. She even leaned forward a little when one of the older women whispered something. I caught a genuine smile on her lips.The same woman who once scoffed at the mere idea of sitting through charity work was now whispering back to the widows in a low and compassionate tone. It was like watching a play where the lead character suddenly forgot their lines and decided to wing it. But it wasn’t bad; it was surprisingly good. Still, it was strange.Lila gestured to one of the attendants, and they brought forward small parcels
DianaSitting in the quiet bedroom, guilt pressed down my chest like a boulder. Nothing could chase away the heaviness in my heart. I wrapped my arms around myself, staring at the empty fireplace as my thoughts spiraled. I had hurt Asher. I could feel it in the way he walked out of my room. His disappointment clung to the air like smoke.There was no excuse, no reasonable explanation for why I kept pushing him away, especially as we were fated mates. There was nothing physically stopping me from giving him what he wanted. And truthfully, it wasn’t even about him. It was about my conscience.Sighing, I leaned my head back against the cushion. If only I weren’t so damned morally upright, I could’ve just gone along with it. Maybe even gotten pregnant. That way, when the truth about who I was eventually came out, Asher wouldn’t have the heart to send me away. But even as the thought crossed my mind, m
Diana Rolling up my sleeves, I stood in the middle of the kitchen, ready to tackle breakfast. Today wasn’t going to be one of those quick, throw-it-together meals. I was determined to cook something hearty that would make everyone smile. I grabbed a pot and set water to boil, reaching for the basket of fresh vegetables I had seen earlier.I made a porridge with seasoned rice, vegetables, and slow-cooked chicken broth. The inviting smell of the broth simmering was already filling the kitchen. I chopped onions, garlic, and bell peppers, sautéed them until they were golden and fragrant, then stirred them into the pot.While the porridge simmered, I prepared sides. I roasted slices of plantains in the oven and whipped up a quick tomato and herb sauce to drizzle over the plantains, adding just the right amount of spice to the mix.The kitchen became my haven for the morning. When everything was ready, I wiped my hands on a towel and took a moment to appreciate my work. Satisfied, I rushed
AsherThe hall buzzed with murmurs of conversation. The oak table at the center was scattered with scrolls, maps, and goblets of spiced wine.I sat at the right with the other Lycan Kings, tapping lightly on the armrest of my chair. The other kings, a mix of werewolves and Lycans, were seated along the sides. Their eyes often darted toward me, waiting for my input, approval, or acknowledgment. Being the one they revered so deeply was both a privilege and a burden.King Gerald, a stout werewolf with a graying beard, cleared his throat and leaned forward. “Your Majesty. The rogue attacks in my province have escalated. We’ve lost three villages this month alone. The werewolves under my care are struggling to hold their ground.”I nodded, keeping my face neutral, though my mind churned with irritation. Rogues were like dealing with a plague that refused to die out. “What measures have you taken so far?” I asked, wanting to gauge his strategy—or lack thereof—before offering my counsel.Ge
DianaI woke up to the sound of heavy footsteps echoing from downstairs. My heart raced as I tried to make sense of the commotion. What was happening so early in the morning?Groaning, I quickly grabbed the mouthwash, swished it, and spat it out. Then, I threw on my robe and rushed downstairs.When I reached the foyer, the sight before me was overwhelming. Warriors were assembling in organized chaos, their armor glinting in the light. Some were strapping on weapons, others tightening belts or fastening boots. Shields leaned against the walls, swords in scabbards clinking as the men moved.In the middle of it all stood Asher, commanding the scene and barking orders. It was clear that he was angry.“Asher!” I called out, hurrying to him, nearly tripping over a discarded helmet. His head snapped toward me, and I froze for a second at the sheer fury in his eyes. But then I noticed it wasn’t directed at me.“What’s going on?” I asked, breathless.“The rogues dared to attack Eddie,” he said
Diana Asher and I watched Lila storm off in a rage to the other wing of the house. I sighed and turned to face Asher. He pulled me closer to himself, and I sniffed his breath."Have you been drinking?"He shrugged. Our eyes locked, and I wondered why he was so calm about everything. I knew it was his way of handling situations, but after seeing the state of things outside, it was hard to believe he wasn't affected. I trusted Asher, knowing that he understood the weight of this crisis. I just wanted it all to be over."Are you okay?" he asked, rubbing my belly before pressing a kiss to my neck, right where he had marked me. A shiver ran through me, but pleasure was the last thing on my mind when everything around us was falling apart."Are you okay?" I asked him back, watching his face carefully. He smiled, took my hand, and led me to the balcony."I'm on house arrest," he said, as if it was some kind of joke."It's not funny," I muttered, pulling away slightly when he tried to hold m
Asher Darkness clung to me like a living thing, wrapping around my chest like an iron vice. My heart burned with hatred at the injustice of it all.Some of these foolish packmates—people I had protected and fought for—were now standing in the streets, cheering for the coup. They had claimed to be dissatisfied with my government, even though it had been the most peaceful reign in over a century.Eddie and his vagabond uncle had introduced crime, lawlessness, and corruption. They had brought gangs into the kingdom, allowing them to run wild, unchecked, turning my lands into their personal playground of chaos.And yet—the people cheered for them.The same people who had benefited from my leadership. The ones who had walked my streets in peace. The ones whose children had been safe under my rule.It made me sick.I mobilized military units, armed vehicles, and trusted men, making sure every key location was secured. But the opposition was growing. They had spent years planting their seed
Diana Vera drove in silence. She wasn’t the type to shy away from speaking her mind, but I could tell she felt guilty about what she had said earlier. Maybe she thought she had been too harsh and direct in telling me that I was a source of danger to her family. But in retrospect, there was nothing wrong with what she had said—she was right.I was about to become a mother. I loved Jaden and Josh as if they were my own, and the last thing I would ever want was to put them in harm’s way. I knew that the moment Eddie set his sights on me, he would kill me without a second thought.“Getting worked up over what you said is funny, you know,” I said lightly, smiling as I turned to look at her. The car bounced slightly as we navigated the dirt road, heading toward the highway.Vera exhaled a sigh, her eyes locked on the road ahead. “You don’t deserve this. To think you’re even pregnant… What if you hadn’t gotten through to anyone? You could have lost the baby. I don’t like that you’re all alo
DianaI paced around the house, bored and restless. I had cleaned the kitchen and rearranged the cushions on the couch, but none of it filled the emptiness that lingered inside me. The house felt like a beautiful cage.My fingers trailed along the edge of the windowsill at the front window, and I gazed out, hoping for some distraction. All I could see was the tall iron gate standing like a wall between me and the world outside. I sighed deeply, my breath fogging up the glass. I just wished Asher could come today. I missed him more than I could put into words. I missed the boys as well. Thinking about them gave me a bittersweet sensation.I wandered into the kitchen, opening the fridge door and staring at the shelves. Then I grabbed a glass of water to drink. The house felt too quiet. I wondered what was happening at the castle right now. Were the elders rallying behind Asher? Were there whispers in the halls about the coup and the traitors? I closed my eyes, picturing it all. Asher wo
Asher I stepped into the house feeling several pounds lighter, which was the effect of being with Diana. She had such a beautiful name, and even though Lila’s name was beautiful as well, perhaps it was their personalities that made Diana’s more radiant. In a good mood, I whistled quietly and ascended the stairs. The house was quiet, and I thought the kids were asleep until I heard the unmistakable sound of sobbing. My good mood evaporated instantly, and I quickened my pace toward the children’s corner.The nanny was trying to comfort Josh, who was clutching his stuffed toy with tears streaming down his face. When Josh spotted me, he ran to me, and I scooped him up. He buried his face in my chest, his sobs intensifying.“What’s wrong, son? Why are you crying?”His cries were muffled against my chest, leaving me to turn my gaze toward the nanny.“What happened?” I asked her.She hesitated, wringing her hands nervously. “The queen scolded him, Your Majesty.”“Scolded him? Why?”She shif
The metallic scrape of keys turning in my cell door revealed the female guard. She stepped inside without a word and pulled out a dark, hooded cloak, handing it to me. Her face remained indifferent."Turn around," she ordered.I obeyed and faced the wall as she helped me put on the cloak. She gave me gloves and ensured I was properly disguised."Follow my lead," she instructed, guiding me out of the cell.The dungeon was quiet, as most of its occupants were asleep. When we reached the exit, the guard signaled to someone outside. I heard the sound of a van’s engine idling, and soon the van door slid open. The female guard held me steady as I stepped up into the vehicle. My heart folded in my chest, and I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. The cloak draped over my shoulders felt suffocating, trapping the heat of my anxiety against my skin.I couldn’t trust anyone. Eddie had his followers everywhere. The guard driving must have noticed how I trembled because he assured me,"We’re on the k
Diana My heart pounded in my chest. I had seen Asher standing before me. I didn't even need to see who it was to feel the pull of the bond. My breathing grew shallow, and I rushed to my feet.He stood outside the cell for about a minute, watching me. His presence filled the space, and yet I couldn’t read his expression. His tall frame loomed in the light, his gaze locked onto mine. He was too composed—and that frightened me even more.When the gate swung open, he stepped inside.I couldn't move. My trembling hands fell to my sides as I waited for him to speak, to act, to do something. But he remained silent.I knew that, as a king, Asher would want to please his packmates and do the right thing by getting rid of me. I had been branded an enemy, and the laws were clear—traitors were not spared. But there was something else, something deeper in his stance, in the way he hesitated, in the way his eyes flickered with an emotion I couldn’t quite place.Was he battling with himself?Slowl
Asher I paced my bedroom, allowing my thoughts consume me. The tension in the back of my neck was a dull ache, and my hands occasionally brushed over it, lingering on the spot where Diana had marked me. It was crazy how I had to adjust to her name. I paused by the large window overlooking the courtyard, staring into the expanse outside.Ever since I threw her into the dungeon, I couldn't stop thinking about her. She was pregnant. My fingers curled into fists as I leaned against the windowsill. She was pregnant, but then, was it really my child?This question cut through me, and the doubt felt like a betrayal—to myself and the bond we shared as fated mates. The truth should have been enough to silence the whispers of suspicion in my mind.That child was mine. If Lila, who didn't love me, could have my babies, how much more my fated mate?I crossed the room to a side table where a decanter of whiskey and a glass sat. I poured myself a generous amount and downed it in one gulp.The burn
DianaThey shoved me into a musty dungeon, and I stumbled forward as the heavy iron door slammed shut behind me. My wrists, raw and sore from the guards' grip, throbbed as I struggled to regain my balance.My chest tightened, and my breaths came in sharp gasps as I tried to adjust to the darkness surrounding me. The air reeked of decay and rusted metal, thick and almost choking. I scanned the space desperately, taking in the bars that caged me and the narrow window high on the wall that offered only a faint reminder of the outside world.In the silence, faint sounds reached my ears—a low murmur, a harsh cough from another cell. These were the sounds of the condemned, and now I was one of them.My legs gave way, and I sank to the cold ground, pressing my back against the wall as fear clawed at me. My mind raced, but I forced myself to focus on Asher. He had a plan. He alw