Diana I was halfway through my skincare routine, a ritual I’d adopted from Lila’s impossibly high standards. My naturally clear skin had never needed more than a splash of water and maybe some Vaseline on a bad day. But here I was, layering on vitamin C serums, retinol, and ridiculously overpriced products that smelled like spa treatments. It was wasteful, excessive, and insulting to the simplicity of my old life.I had nothing against skincare itself, but knowing that beneath Lila's glowing skin was a conniving, two-faced bitch made me hate every step of the process. A maid walked in, bowing awkwardly as if afraid of breathing wrong, and handed me an envelope. “From Beta Eddie,” she said.The sight of that envelope in her hands made my blood boil. Eddie was like a cockroach—impossible to get rid of and always lurking in the shadows, ready to spread his filth. What could he possibly want now? Another manipulative plea for attention? Another scheme to draw me into his web of lies an
DianaThe hotel doors slid open, revealing a lobby that screamed luxury. My eyes adjusted to the warm lighting that filled the space, scanning across the space in search of Eddie.I couldn’t wait to get this over with. I moved with quiet determination, making my way deeper into the lobby. Just as frustration bubbled to the surface, thinking the bastard hadn’t even shown up, I saw him. He was lounging on a sleek couch at the far end of the lobby, sipping a drink with the smugness of someone who thought they owned the world.When our eyes met, a wave of disgust crashed over me. I didn't bother to hide it. My stomach twisted, but I forced a cold, practiced smile onto my face as I approached him.“Oh, there you are,” Eddie drawled, his tone dripping with mockery. “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t show.”I kept my eyes locked on his, refusing to give him the satisfaction of looking away. Bullies thrived on fear, and I wasn’t about to give him any power over me. His smile widened as he
AsherI lay in bed, sensing that something was bothering Lila. She was still, her back to me. I could feel the tension in her body in the way she held herself like she was trying to hold everything together.My hand rested on her hip. I waited for a response, hoping that she would relax into my touch. But she didn't. She didn't stiffen either, but she didn't melt into me like she usually did. Instead, she remained still, like she was a million miles away.Usually, when I touched her like this, she would turn around, snuggle into me, and we would spend the morning wrapped in each other's arms. I wanted to ask her what was wrong and fix whatever was bothering her. But I hesitated, knowing that sometimes, when she was like this, asking for answers only made things worse.So I stayed quiet, holding her, hoping that my presence would be enough to remind her that she wasn't alone. I held her close, feeling her warmth, her heartbeat, and her gentle breathing.Perhaps she was struggling with
Diana I was getting ready for the night when I suddenly looked up and saw Josh standing at the entrance of my room. His mop of curly hair made him look even more adorable.My heart swelled with love and affection for him. “Hey, sweetie, come here,” I said, patting the bed beside me.He looked at me with a sad expression in his eyes and took a small step forward, holding a stuffed rabbit. My heart went out to him, knowing how he had been feeling down lately. I had been trying to spend more time with him and make him feel better, but with my own problems of unmasking Eddie and his cohorts, I wasn’t giving him the attention he deserved.“Come on.” I opened my arms wide. When he reached the bed, I scooped him up in my arms, lifting him onto the bed beside me. He snuggled into my chest, his hands wrapped tightly around me. I held him close, stroking his hair and back. All Josh needed was love and reassurance, and even though he wasn’t my biological child, if the tide turned in my favor,
DianaAfter successfully obtaining Theodore's hair, I went to the lab to get the testing done. But now I worried about what the technicians would think, and I had to navigate the delicate process of getting it tested without arousing suspicion.Being the supposed queen of the pack put me in the public eye. Gossip could spread like wildfire, and I needed to ensure this matter remained under wraps.I pushed open the door and slipped inside. The receptionist looked up as I entered and had a curious expression on her face. She recognized me and leaped off her chair.“My Queen,” she bowed.I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. "I need to get some testing done.” The head scientist, a man in his fifties with sharp eyes and a calm spirit greeted me. He didn’t strike me as someone who would spread rumors, but the people working under him might not be as silent."This is strictly confidential," I said, looking him straight in the eye when he led me to his office. "Can I trust
Asher My guest, Marcus, whom I wasn't particularly fond of but saw as someone I could see an advantage in allying with, had arrived.When he arrived, I had many back-to-back meetings and had to introduce him to Eddie earlier. Now, I joined them as Marcus bowed respectfully.“My pack sends their greetings,” he said, offering several boxes of gifts.“That wasn’t necessary,” I said, trying to keep my tone neutral. Internally, I wondered why I would need gifts from someone here to borrow money.“The queen has prepared us a sumptuous dinner; let’s join her,” I said, leading him to the dining room.The table was set, with the cooks and maids waiting to serve, but I noticed Lila’s absence.“Send for the queen,” I said, washing my hands. One of the maids bowed respectfully and left to fulfill my order.She returned moments later, bowing apologetically. “My king, the queen seems to be under the weather. She’s resting in her room, covered in a blanket, and has requested broth to be delivered t
Diana Arching my hips, I met Asher thrust for thrust and moved under him, moaning as he filled me.When the climax came, it came for us both. Our bodies fused in one shared hot, sticky release, and I shuddered, blasted by bombs of pleasure. Utterly spent, Asher’s chest rose and fell with each deep, relaxed breath. I smiled warmly as I watched him, this beautiful man who had become my entire world. My eyes were drawn to the trail of tiny hairs running from the base of his neck to his navel. Gently, I reached out and let my fingers brush against them, feeling their delicate texture.I began to rub his chest in slow, soothing circles, feeling the heat of his skin beneath my touch. The moment felt intimate and peaceful, but my mind couldn’t entirely escape the storm of thoughts brewing inside me.That menace Marcus was still here, somewhere in the house, and the thought sank my heart. I knew Asher loved me deeply and would do anything I asked, but how could I tell him to dismiss Marcus
DianaIn the past two weeks, I enjoyed an unusual period of calmness. It felt like a strange kind of sanity had finally returned to my life.I rested from the constant tension of looking over my shoulder. For once, I didn’t have to worry about Marcus lurking in the shadows or Eddie scheming to bring me down. Fear, I realized, had a way of eating away at your mind like cancer. Every move around the house felt weighted with the possibility of bumping into Marcus, and the mental toll was suffocating.During those dark days, anytime someone entered the house unexpectedly, I would stay upstairs and peek from the safety of the second floor until I was sure of the visitor. My nerves had been so tightly wound that I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to breathe freely. But now, with Marcus confirmed to be gone, the fear in my chest eased just a little.Of course, the lies and secrets still lingered. They were ticking time bombs, and I knew that Asher’s pain and rage would be unavoidable w
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