Now alone in her room, Anna took out the red gown from the box and she could see the blue heels that stayed under the clothes, the silver jewelries, thin, but screamed millions. Why were they spending these amounts on her? She wondered.She let out a lazy breath as she rested her back on the bed, staring at her high ceiling, the chandelier looked right back at her. It seemed to mirror her feelings cause the light dimmed at that instant and she sighed deeply. Her eyes travelled down to her palm and she could feel it.The hold of her life gradually slipping away into Xandros's fingers. She had no control anymore.Her phone vibrated on the bed beside her and she picked it quickly, her eyes scanning for the message.- The man with dark eyes.Simple. Just one line.Just like that day, the simple word, Maren and that changed her whole life. Who was the man with the dark eyes? And what exactly was he going to bring? And who exactly -she finally allowed herself to think- was the sender of th
A scream erupted from the guy's throat and her eyes snapped open at that sound, and she saw a huge back covering her."Who the fvck are you?" Xandros's voice. What was he doing here? Did he leave the venue of the wedding? For what?"Aargh! Athena....Athena." Levi called out her name and Xandros gave a light growl, pushing the guy backwards with his captured hands."She's not Athena." He said."Swear it." The guy managed to say while rubbing his hand. Xandros stared at him for a minute, before he barked out his order. "Get this wolf out of here."Anna paused, thinking hard.Does she tell Xandros that he was a rogue?Does she tell Xandros that this man claims to be Athena's brother?But what brother doesn't know his sister?"I'll be back for you, Athena. I swear." He screamed as he was being dragged outside by the guards. Thank God the music was really loud, guests would have come out because of the noise.Xandros turned ever so slowly, his eyes locking with her. "Who was he?""I-I do
She scoffed, ever so lightly, "I should....abandon my child?""Yes. Didn't you know that?" Wyatt asked."I know you would do whatever you want, you and Lord Xandros, but I would never abandon him. Train him or her, I'll remain here." Anna said seriously.Wyatt nodded his head lightly, blinking in thought, his fingers stroking his jaw. Slowly, he poured the coffee on the ground. He never drank the coffee. Thank the goddess she refused."You are a very brilliant lady, Anna. With that beautiful face and body, your life was meant to be set." He got up slowly, pushing his chair backwards to give him enough space."It is so sad you have to die early.""I would cross the death when it comes." It was under her breath but Wyatt heard as he passed by her. He firmly placed his hand in her shoulder and Anna inhaled, feeling the pain. Then he left, like they had never had this conversation.Her eyes closed lightly as she took in a deeper breath to calm herself down. What was that? A threat? Oh yes
She slipped away from the bed, hoping for a miraculous door to form from nowhere, so she could escape the monster. His big build scared the sh*t out of her, the black shadowy hairiness of his body, the hard manner his huge legs hit the ground. Jagged claws extended from his fingers, ready to tear at her if she made any funny move. He snarled at her, his razor sharp fangs, saliva glistening, rolling down the side of his lips. The room was dim, moonlight flickering against the cold stone walls, but even in the shifting shadows, she could see him, Xandros, standing between her and the only escape, golden eyes glowing with predatory hunger.Her stomach twisted."You knew this was coming," he said, his voice dark silk, low and final.Anna swallowed hard, forcing herself to stand tall. "I won’t let you do this."His response was slow, deliberate. "You think you have a choice?"She moved before she could second guess herself, lunging for the door, but he was faster, so much faster."Argh
The moment Xandros walked out of her room without a word, Anna’s body gave out beneath her. The sharp absence of his weight left her feeling weightless, untied, like a string cut loose in the wind. Her arms, weak and trembling, barely held her up before failing entirely.Her legs, unsteady, couldn’t support her as she tried to move. A dizzying rush of exhaustion swept over her, and before she could catch herself, her knees buckled, leading her to the ground. The cold air hit her skin like a slap as she slid from the table, her body crumpling to the floor in a broken heap.Her palms scraped against the unforgiving sharp walls, but the sting barely registered. The throbbing ache deep inside her overshadowed everything else, a dull, relentless pulse that refused to fade. She tried to breathe, to gather herself, but her chest felt too tight, her throat thick with unshed tears.For a moment, she just lay there, cheek pressed against the cool ground, shivering from something far deeper than
Diane's brows furrowed tightly. "Mate?" She inched closer, "Athena....Anna...is Lord Xandros's mate?" "Oh God. Moon goddess. What is happening?" Her eyes flashed with panic and Gaia placed his hand on her shoulder."Don't let anyone know about this. If Lady Maren hears about the mate bond, she would report to her father and we all know, Alpha Wyatt would kill Anna." Gaia said seriously and Diane nodded with sharp eyes. "Lord Xandros is locked up in his lairs right now. I'll go check on him. Hopefully, I hope he is calm a bit."Diane breathed deeply, "I don't think so. He didn't finish with Anna. Something tells me he restrained himself. If this continues, she won't even get pregnant. I don't want her to die in the hands of Lady Maren, so I really want her to give birth and live this palace quickly. But...you say she is his mate... would Imogen let her go?" She asked, his voice laced with deep concern."We would try everything for that. Even though Alpha Wyatt can't end Lord Xandros'
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Lady Maren. If Lord Xandros finds out after becoming normal, he would kill me." "For what?" Maren sneered, "For some reason, you make me feel Anna is special." "She is special. She is the only one who has Lady Athena's face." Gaia said cockily. "We can find another person. If not, we can create a face through surgery." "Lord Xandros won't fall for fake. Surgery might work to you, but not him. Anna was handpicked by Lord Xandros, so she has to live a long...long life. If you want your plans to come to reality quickly, you'll have to adapt to the situation, Lady Maren. Now, if you will excuse me..." He didn't wait for her reply, before he walked past her and down the stairs. Maren's eyes narrowed as her hands tightened on her silk gown, her ears inching toward the door. She didn't hear a thing, that made her lips twitch lightly. She bit her inner lips, imagining the pain Anna must be going through. That girl's face was enough reason to hate her. Maren
"I'm not going to that room tonight. I don't know what you have to do but please, Diane, do it." Anna said."Don't worry, you aren't going there tonight." Diane shook her head as she said, staring deep into Anna's eyes, "I told you not to leave your room, I'm sorry." She said, her eyes still staring at Anna."He didn't let me escape even if I wanted to." Anna replied, her eyes turning glassy."Anna. Look at me." Diane palmed her face lightly, "It...it couldn't be stopped. He would have come here no matter what. There was nothing anybody could do." She said.Anna gulped and Diane pulled her from the ground. "You have to eat." ****"Lord Xandros!" Gaia gasped lightly as Xandros walked down the stairs, his face totally pale and without a single expression."How do you feel?" "Where's Anna?" He ignored the question and looked at Gaia as he got to the foot of the stairs."She is in her room..... recuperating." Gaia said, his eyes going to the floor.Xandros's back tensed but it didn't a
"W-Why?" She managed to ask, "Why would it be a waste?" "Because....you, Anna. I don't think there'd be anyone like you on this earth." He muttered as he pulled the gun away from her face, dropping it back in it's former position. He closed his eyes, resting backwards, without a care in the world."I rarely sleep, Anna. And you woke me up from my light nap two days ago, because you wanted some nasty things done to you." He smirked, even without opening his eyes.Heat flooded her neck, reddening it as she stared at him. His eyes opened slowly, "I hope to you are fertile. You can't let that....waste." She didn't say a word, only stared at him as his eyes closed back and he tried to talk asleep. She bit her lips hardly, trying to stop the thoughts from crowding in, but they did and she succumbed to them.Her fingers moved as she pulled closer towards him. His eyes opened but he didn't move away when she touched his head and slightly pulled him towards her shoulder."My mum said I have
The date for the check up finally came and Anna dressed up quickly, while the make up artist applied light makeup for her. "You look really pretty." She complimented after the session and Anna smiled. "Thank you." She whispered."Anna, come down." Diane's voice from outside made her quickly slip her shoes on and she walked out of the room."Sandra." She called in surprise, seeing Sandra outside. Sandra smiled with a wink."I'm one of your escorts." She mouthed to Anna and Anna smiled in reply. "Okay, fine." Diane clapped her hands to catch attention. "We wouldn't want to be late. Uhhmm, Anna, go to the car. You and Lord Xandros would ride together. After the checkup, he'll be meeting with the alpha's of each pack and you'll accompany him. Okay?" She asked and Anna nodded as she walked out, not before glancing at Sandra."Sandra!" Diane called with a shout. "Yes, Diane." Sandra immediately turned to her."As you can see, Sandra. You are....a very.... outgoing and characteristic per
"I...was making some dresses with Sandra. I heard I'll be going for the packs check up soon." She replied, her head getting out of her fuzzy thoughts."How do you feel about going for it?" He asked and she bit her inner lips."I feel it'll be nice to know the packs and since I've been in here every -""I told you not to lie to me, Anna." He seemed displeased as he walked down the stairs. She moved back instinctively by a step. "You should be transparent." "I really...." She trailed off when his eyes got darker with anger. "have no choice. Lady Maren asked me to go in her stead. It's nice but...not in this way." She said... truthfully."So you are not interested in going." He said."No. I am. If only they'd have a good perception of me.""They should. Only people in Khaos and Candy knows what..." He stopped, staring at her hands hooked between each other. "Your hands. Spread them wide." He said.Anna raised her hands and opened them, tiny pricks of blood coming out. "It's better than
"Aah," Sandra let out lazy yawn as she hit her head on the table loudly, "I'm so freaking tired. All my body hurts from sitting in one position all day. Hmmm? Anna. Look at my beautiful fingers, they are all destroyed." She muttered, flexing her fingers in front of Anna."I didn't believe you would stab yourself so many times." Anna cocked her head lightly as she stared at Sandra."It's not my fault that the needle is so sharp and long. Athena must be a perfect tailor. The dresses, I could die for them." Anna pressed her lips tightly as she looked at the dresses on the mannequins, they were so perfect. Sandra was right, Athena must really be great. She smiled lightly.Sandra stood up, hearing a crack in her back and her neck as she flexed it. "Better. It would be nice to have a run in the forest right now." "There's one place Athena really likes..." Oops, maybe she shouldn't have said that. "Really? Where?" Sandra asked as she jumped, raising her hands up and down. She'd call that e
Anna stared at the pink dress meant to simplify her. She clicked her tongue slightly as took in a deep breath. She was in big trouble with Diane. Levi better not contact her again, Goddess knows if he did, she was going to find him and kill him. In her head. But really if she gets her hands on him, he'd regret ever trying to destroy the last strand of her life. The next morning, Anna got up a little too early. She sat on her bed, facing the window and watched the sun rise. Soon, whispers cracked into the wall like a spreading virus and spread throughout the room. It was a symbol that many people were awake already.She quickly got up and rushed to the bathroom, a realization that her legs were no more hurting like they did last night any longer.Even better. She quickly had her bath, packed her hair in a bun as she stared at herself in the mirror and then she picked the book of witches and let out a breezy sigh as she muttered, "Let's make today worthwhile." She whispered.With that
Anna stared at Willa with something deep, almost hatred. Suddenly, she banged the door close right on the girl's face, locking it behind her. She took in a deep breath, anger bristling under her skin like lave, ready to erupt, but she had no choice. She just had to do it. Why....oh goddess, she laid her back on the bed as she stared at her phone. Nothing, no messages. Nothing. To think that the only number she'd had on her phone was Sandra's, Candy's and unknown numbers she didn't save but knew was from Levi. She took a deep breath. In this large world, she was practically alone. ****"What do you mean?" Xandros glared at Gaia with sharp eyes. He seemed angry as he dropped the black file on the table."I don't have to do this. The packs are fine.""You have to check up on them. You used to do it easily all the time.""That. Time. Because Athena was there." Xandros's voice took an angrier turn as he pushed the file towards Gaia."I make sure they have everythi
"You should read more often." He said as he pressed the button and the door click resounded. He gave her a final glance as he walked out of the place, leaving her in there. Anna stayed quietly for a moment, her eyes staring at the wide open book. She didn't even make it through the first paragraph. A shudder rushed down her spine, s reminder of what had just happened here few minutes ago. A salty taste remained in her mouth and a clean view of where she'd licked on the table.She bit her lips, the urge to bite down on her own self. She had been really stupid. Stepping in here and letting him...no, wanting it. She wasn't supposed to. He could never belong to her. Xandros was not meant to be hers. He was married, a marriage of convenience, yes. But still.A tear rushed down her spine and she finally broke down, her body shaking violently as tears escaped her eyes. She was crying... because she knew they could never be more than this. Just this. He could never see as something else....a
He tapped the table lightly, staring at her.Anna moved forward, the dim light from the lights cast long, dancing shadows across her bare skin, highlighting the gentle rise and fall of her breasts as she leaned over the heavy oak table. Her heart pounded in her chest, a rhythmic drumbeat echoing through her ears.Anna's breath hitched as she felt his fingers trace the curve of her spine, sending shivers of anticipation skittering across her skin. She gasped as he cupped her @ss, his thumbs brushing the sensitive skin of her inner thighs. He leaned in, his breath hot on her ear as he whispered, "Read the book, Anna. Read it while I fvck you."She reached out, her fingers brushing the hard cover of the book."The witch's heart is a secret," She tried to focus on the words, but her mind was a chaotic as Xandros' fingers ghosted over her clit. A shudder ran down her body. "You are wet," He teased her, his fingers dancing around her clit, dipping into her wetness, but never quite giving h
He tugged at her dress slightly, controlled. "Take this off." He murmured against her lips."Lord..." His grip on her hair hardened, cutting her short. He wasn't ready to listen to her. Not now. She shouldn't have come into this place. She couldn't control the things she felt right now and how she was torn between running round the room from his grips or just doing as he said. She knew she should run. But she couldn’t. His presence overwhelmed her, consuming her senses with a force that left her unsure of what to do. When he pulled away, his eyes met hers, dark, unreadable, like an endless abyss that threatened to swallow her whole. His voice, when it came, was low and calculated, smooth as silk but edged with an undeniable authority. "I said take off your gown."The command hit her like a blow, a shockwave that rattled her to her core. Every muscle in her body screamed to fight, to resist, but she knew that defiance would only make things worse. He was in control. Always. The word