DianaThe hallways stretched ahead, and my thoughts felt heavier with every step I took. I couldn't stop thinking about several possibilities of me being Lila's sister. My life had always felt like one giant question mark, and now, for the first time, the answers seemed within reach.Growing up, I'd always felt so alone. There were no family dinners, no bedtime stories, no birthday parties. Just me and my aunt, who never hid that she took me out of duty, not love. I craved stability and belonging, but it always seemed out of reach. When Marcus came into my life, I thought maybe I could finally have that family I dreamed of. I pictured us building a life together. A home where I wouldn’t have to feel like an outsider.But Marcus had destroyed that fantasy like he had destroyed my trust. He left me shattered and discarded, like I was nothing more than a bad memory.If Lila’s parents were truly mine—if I wasn’t an orphan—maybe everything could change. Perhaps they would hate me at first
AsherThe meeting dragged on, and while the council members droned on border patrols and trade routes, I raised my head and froze for a moment when I spotted Lila standing just out of sight and peeking in like she didn’t belong. An unexpected warmth spread through my chest.This wasn’t like her. The Lila I knew barely cared about meetings unless they were directly tied to her duties as Queen. She usually left the details to me, claiming she had no patience for endless discussions. But here she was, lingering, watching, as if genuinely interested. It made me feel a deep, raw hunger for her.The need to mark her grew like wildfire. The thoughts of what I'd do to her and her mere presence distracted me. My gaze drifted toward where she had been moments before, but she had slipped away as quickly as she had appeared. My mind painted pictures of her in my arms, moaning from an orgasmic bliss.“Your Majesty?” a voice broke through my haze.I blinked from my dirty thoughts, realizing someon
Diana When Josh and Jaden burst into the house, a whirlwind of energy swept in with them. Their excited shouts echoed through the halls, and before I could process it, they flung themselves at me, clinging to my legs like vines."Mommy, Mommy!" Jaden’s voice rang loud and clear, his excitement nearly knocking me backward. Josh followed, a little quieter but no less affectionate, hugging my waist with surprising strength for a five-year-old.I crouched down, wrapping my arms around both boys and despite knowing they weren’t mine, my heart swelled in a way I hadn’t expected. Their joy was infectious, and for a moment, I forgot all about the guilt and the lies.“Mommy, guess what?” Jaden started, his words tumbling over each other. “Taffa Taffa was so fun! There were these really big slides, and I went down the tallest one, but Josh was too scared to do it, so I did it for him. And then we played this game with water guns, and I won every time because I’m the fastest!”Standing a little
Diana“What do you want?” I snapped at the snake. Shrugging, his grin widened. “Just passing by. Imagine my surprise when I found you here, looking all scholarly.”I turned away, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response. Then, I plastered on a neutral expression, pretending his presence didn’t bother me as much as it did. He leaned against the doorway with a smug grin plastered across his face.“But seriously, what are you doing here?” His voice carried a casual arrogance that grated on my nerves.I turned back to the shelf. “Looking for a book to read.”Eddie let out a low chuckle. “You? Reading? Since when did you develop a love for books? Last time I checked, you’d rather watch paint dry than crack open a novel.”“People change,” I said simply, keeping my tone light, though my insides were irritating.“Change?” he echoed, stepping closer. “You? Change? That’s rich. What’s next? You’ll tell me you’ve suddenly taken up knitting or decided to become a saint?”I shot him a
Diana The night felt like a slow tease that prickled under your skin and left you restless. I decided that I wouldn't shy away if Asher came to my room tonight. Lila was dead, after all, and Asher was my mate. The bond burned between us like a wildfire. It wasn’t a crime. Not if the real Lila was gone. Maybe this would soften the inevitable blow when he found out the truth.I stood before the vanity and stared at my reflection. My heart raced as I slid into a black lingerie set that hugged my curves in ways even I had to admit looked good. The lace danced over my skin, and I adjusted the straps carefully, making sure it looked perfect. The fabric gave a teasing hint of my body. I spritzed a vanilla perfume, hoping the scent would excite Asher.The room wasn’t left to chance, either. I placed small candles around the space to create an intimate warmth. I adjusted the pillows on the bed, fluffing them just so, and draped a satin throw over the foot of the bed for that added touch of s
Asher The night stretched endlessly as I lay on the massive bed, tossing and turning. I couldn't sleep. Instead, my ability to sleep was replaced by a swarm of thoughts that clung to my mind like stubborn cobwebs. I stared at the ceiling and an unbearable frustration coiled tighter with each passing second.My marriage with Lila had been a battlefield, filled with, betrayals, and uneasy truces. I hated bringing up the memories, seeing that we were now fated, but they came uninvited. Back then, I had started noticing her changes. Her absence from the boys’ lives, the way she always had an excuse to leave the room when I entered, her phone constantly glued to her hand, the messages she’d quickly hide when I got too close. At first, I thought I was overthinking it, or perhaps I was just imagining things. But the evidence piled up were so obvious.Every time I confronted her, she denied it with the smoothness of someone who had practiced lying. “I’m just busy, Ash,” she’d say, rolling
Diana My ear pressed against the heavy oak door as muffled voices drifted from the other side. At first, I couldn’t make out much of the servants' gossip, but as I adjusted my stance, I realized they were talking about me, or rather Lila.“Do you think she’s changed?” a young voice asked, sounding skeptical. “People don’t just wake up one day and decide to stop being horrible.”“Maybe an exorcism was performed on her, and now the demons are out, and she can see the light,t,” another voice said, sounding amused.“Pfft,” the first one snorted. “And pigs can fly. You weren’t here last year when she made the head cook cry because the soup was too salty. She threw the entire pot on the floor and told him to lick it up.”“Oh, I was here, alright. Have you forgotten that she made me polish the silverware three times in one day because she said she could see her face but not her soul in the reflection?”They all laughed. The sound bit into me like a whip, but I kept listening.“A chameleon c
Diana I couldn't stop the nerves from gripping my heart. Asher crossed his arms and fixed me with a patient dog."Lila, trust me. This isn’t a debate. Seeing the doctor will help you."I opened my mouth to protest again, but his eyes silenced me.“I’m fine,” I muttered for what felt like the hundredth time. “You’re blowing this out of proportion.”He smiled softly and kissed my fingers one after the other. “Then humor me. If there’s nothing wrong, there’s no harm in going. Right?”Cornered, I had no choice but to nod reluctantly. “Fine.”“Good. Now, go get dressed.”---Knowing this outing wasn’t optional, I wore a simple green tunic. It had a wide belt cinched at the waist and short sleeves paired with sandals. When I returned to meet him, Asher was waiting by the door.The drive was quiet. I stared out the window, avoiding Asher’s gaze. For the first time since stumbling into his home, I was stepping outside the castle groundsThe sight of the pack stole my breath. The semi-urban l
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
Diana My heart brimmed with a heavy ache I couldn’t escape. Everything I had feared was now unfolding before my eyes. I stood frozen under Asher's gaze, unable to move or think clearly. At that moment, no one else mattered. My legs trembled, barely strong enough to keep me standing.Every fiber of my being screamed at me to run and save myself. His eyes, usually so warm and inviting, now burned with a dangerous blend of anger, disappointment, and his love.Sweat trickled down my neck. Without thinking, I spun on my heel and bolted toward the stairs. The thunder of his footsteps sounded behind me. I didn’t stop. I didn’t stumble. I knew I couldn’t outrun him, but I had to try.I made it halfway down the staircase before his strong arm snaked around my waist. In one motion, he pulled me back and spun me around. My back met the wall firmly, and I found myself face-to-face with him. His presence was overwhelming, his intensity almost suffocating, as he held me there, leaving me no room
Asher Before joining the feast, I had an emergency at the Government House where one of my informants had information. My table was surrounded by four people—three of the high-ranking officials and one advisor."We need to do something, Your Highness," Luis, my informant, said, looking at me with alert eyes. "There's been movement and more whispers of alliances being formed. The doom will fall sooner than you think."The others exchanged uneasy glances. I leaned back in my chair, apparently intrigued rather than alarmed."What else is new?" I said.Luis looked slightly disturbed that I was taking this lightly."They're targeting your decisions and painting you as soft. That bastard Eddie is leading this endeavor."My lips twitched into a humorless smile. Instead of the reaction my council expected, I had enough evidence, records, and testimonies from other informants to pin Eddie, so it was nothing new."This is a grave matter," one of the high-ranking officials said. "Eddie is your
DianaThe kitchen was filled with the smells of roasting meats and fresh pastries. Every surface was alive with activity, each maid and helper deeply engrossed in their assigned tasks.I picked up a freshly baked loaf of bread cooling nearby, broke off a piece, and nibbled on it absentmindedly. The warmth and slight crunch of the crust soothed me.Asher had insisted on throwing a feast to celebrate the pregnancy, inviting council members and other high-ranking packmates. He’d gone all out, even commissioning an expensive couture dress for me—a royal blue dress covered in diamonds that sparkled like the stars.Despite the excitement in the castle, I was preoccupied with worries and fears. The plan Theodore and I had made was about to unfold. I felt a storm brewing inside, with fear eating me up.The thought of confronting Asher with this truth was suf
DianaThe queasy churning in my stomach jolted me awake. Cold sweat coated my skin, and I clapped a hand over my mouth, trying to steady the rising bile. It was no use. I bolted from the bed, rushing to the bathroom as my stomach rebelled against me.Asher, ever the light sleeper, was already stirring. He sat up groggily, looking concerned“Are you okay?” he called out, worried.Unable to speak, I doubled over the toilet as the sound of retching filled the quiet room. Moments later, I felt his presence beside me. He knelt without hesitation, gently pulling my hair back and securing it with one hand.“I’ve got you, darling,” he murmured softly as he tried to comfort me.When the nausea finally stopped, I leaned back against the wall, utterly spent.Asher handed me a glass of water. The cool glass f
EddieA triumphant smile spread across my face, and I stood up straighter, feeling a thrilling rush of excitement.Victory, a potent feeling, drove me forward.The room was electric with purpose as I paced with my hands clasped behind my back, like a predator ready to strike.The table was a war zone, covered in blueprints and photos of a detailed plan of attack, each one carefully marked with red marks.My eyes scanned the plans, as my mind raced ahead. The three people with me were more than just accomplices - they were devoted to our mission, their eyes fixed intently on the plans as they shared my vision.I tapped my finger against a photo of Asher's study. “The west entrance is the weak point. That’s our window.”“What about the cameras?” George, one of the accomplices, leaned forward, adjusting hi
DianaThe maid’s announcement that Theodore was downstairs slithered through my mind. My fingers trembled slightly as I tied my hair into a loose bun, and the elastic snapped back against my skin.The mirror stared back at me, reflecting my appearance.I inhaled deeply, feeling the air scrape against my throat. My steps toward the staircase were slow, like a soldier bracing for battle.Before I could gather myself completely, Jaden and Josh zipped past me like lightning bolts. Their laughter filled the house. Josh stumbled but steadied himself and pushed forward, refusing to lose to his brother.By the time I reached the middle of the staircase, the boys had already flung themselves at their grandpa and their excited voices bubbled over.Theodore’s smile was wide and bright, but it didn’t reach his eyes. I saw the heavy sorrow and weariness lurking in
DianaHours after Theodore left, I remained seated in that living room, lost in thought.My body felt heavy, my shoulders slumped forward, and my head bowed.Theodore hadn’t given me a clear answer—not a yes, not a no—on whether he would help me. Yet, despite the uncertainty, a strange lightness settled over me. At least I had told him the truth.Still, I was doubtful. Theodore looked like a man who could easily be silenced, someone who had been overshadowed for years by his wife’s greed.What if Eddie saw him as a liability now? What if he decided to eliminate Theodore to further his selfish interests?He had taught me something invaluable: never to underestimate those who seem weak. Sometimes good people possess a hidden reserve of strength, waiting for the right moment to strike.A bitter smile tug