HERAIf Arnold thought I'd sit still and watch him pick that young girl over me just because she had an untamed beauty, then he was grossly wrong.I didn't come this far, labored this much, hid my disgust, and allowed my body to be used just to be tossed aside like an old hag just because of a young pretty girl.I laid awake which was the usual since Arnold brought that useless girl to the castle, my mind drifted off toward the reason for my ill countenance again; Arnold’s wildly unbelievable intentions of kicking me to the curb.I’d thought I knew everything about Arnold since I’d been observing him for years without end, but apparently, I wasn't privy to the fact that the young prince and Alpha was also a bloody fool.Why? You’d wonder.No man in his right senses would assume that woman who has served him as diligently as I have would back down while he falls helplessly for a young girl’s beauty and leaves me lurking in the shadows.But I couldn't blame his naivety when it came to th
Hera’s POVMy first-morning stretch was as satisfying as a honey badger’s glee when it ran into a fresh bee hive rich in honey and larvae. A smile spread across my face as I dropped my hands to my sides after having stretched them, and I yawned softly as my sleep-filled eyes brightened and adjusted to the sunlight that had filtered into the room.I dragged in a long breath and let it out as relief flooded my entire body, I just knew that I was going to have a fucking amazing day. I moved around the bed in contentment and ruffled my sheets as I did, but in the good mood I’d awoken in, the sounds of ruffled sheets were suddenly a pleasant and welcome noise.Why was I in such a great mood? One might wonder. I’d just gotten rid of my arch nemesis, the only person that stood between me and the throne I’d coveted for years since I started serving in the palace at Crescent Valley. No woman had ever made me feel as threatened and unsettled as Layla, mostly due to how much Alpha Arnold was smit
Arnold’s POVLayla’s feet drummed the floor for the millionth time since we’d arrived in the dining hall for breakfast and I wondered what had gotten her so worked up. She’d been absentmindedly picking at the fruit on her plate too and I couldn't figure out what any of that was about, but it bothered me greatly.Could it be that I’d made the transition from letting her enjoy her meals in her room to making her seat in the dining hall with me too fast? Wasn't she comfortable enough with being around me yet? Did she have complaints about her stay in the palace she didn't trust me enough to share them with?Several questions flooded my mind as to why Layla was jittery and seemingly nervous, but I had no idea which of those questions applied to how she was feeling, and neither did I have a tangible answer to them. So, I decided that rather than dwelling aimlessly on the thoughts I’d been entertaining, it would be much better to hear directly from the horse’s mouth.“Layla, darling” I calle
Layla’s POVNadia always knew what best suited me, and each time I entrusted her with dressing me up, she left me in a wonderful daze at what she’d put together. Even now, she had dressed me up in a simple flowery flowing dress, it had tiny intricate details that most people would miss but I looked like an absolute dream dressed in its lovely fabric.Despite how gorgeous I was certain I looked, as Nadia fixed my hair, my nerves began to spiral as I thought of the evening ahead. I highly doubted that I’d be any good with the people he seemed to adore so much, I’d grown up being used to serenity and solitude so it was tough to come to terms with being in the public eye all of a sudden.I wasn't sure how I’d fair while being around so many unfamiliar faces and I was almost certain that they wouldn't even like me as their future Luna especially since I was a stranger. I could barely focus on Nadia’s usual chattering as she twirled my hair into a messy bun because my mind had dwelt on how t
Layla's POVThe back door of the stall creaked slowly and my nerves took an uncomfortable dip as it did, I wasn't sure what I'd find behind the door, but I'd hoped that it wouldn't cause me any harm since I'd defied my better judgment to answer to the call of a strange presence that I knew absolutely nothing of.For dramatic effect, I'd even shut my eyes tightly while I opened the back door to keep some mystery alive, especially with the weird creaking sound the door had kept on making. When I'd finally gotten the for wide open, I dragged in a deep and long breath and I opened my eyes as I let it out.However, I was met with an open swampy field that showed a trail to a thick forest, unlike the type I was used to roaming in while I grew up. It was a thick dark forest that looked as though it housed the most dangerous creatures and the path that led into it looked muddy and I could see some paw prints that indicated that an animal had recently run through the path and into or out of the
Arnold’s POVLayla’s safety was my number one priority and I’d never be level headed with any one that jeopardized her safety in the slightest ways. I didn't give a shit that she was safe and sound when I’d found her because if I’d gotten to her even a second later, I wasn’t sure how differently things would’ve played out.Irrationality wasn’t a trait that could be ascribed to my leadership patterns or qualities, but when it came to Layla, I didn't care if I had to seem or sound irrational while I defended her, especially if it meant that she might’ve been in harm’s way and no one was there to protect her.It terrified me more that I was willing to let on that she might’ve actually come in contact with a rogue wolf and she’d been naively trying to approach them with no idea what rouge wolves were capable of unleashing on someone whose wolf hadn't matured like hers.Worst of all, I knew fully well that other men weren't blind to the immeasurable and other worldly beauty that Layla posse
Layla’s POVMy first date.I’d have my first date with a man that cherished the ground I walked on like I was an actual goddess like he’d said countless times. It made me giddy and so excited that Alpha Arnold wanted to take me on a date. I mean, he hadn’t spelled it out completely, but I’d known that the special place he had in mind, was most likely a place where we’d both enjoy our time together.And what did time together like that translate as? A date!The minute he’d shut the door behind him after he’d walked me back to my room, all I could think of was how amazing the evening of the next day would be with him. He was already so unbelievably sweet, kind, and patient with me, so I knew that he’d surpass my expectations with whatever he’d planned for us.Even while I freshened up for the night’s rest, my mind wandered to thoughts of how much I’d loved his rapport with the commoners and traders alike. It was nothing short of amazing to witness how kind and brilliant he was as a ruler
Arnold’s POVNature was Layla’s second home, and I’d known that because of the times when I’d watched her from afar play with plants and animals before we met officially. With that knowledge, I was certain that she’d have an amazing time if I brought her to one of the most beautiful lakes in all of Crescent Valley, and I was content that she loved it even more than I’d predicted she would.How could she be so excited by a butterfly’s perch? She was unbelievably adorable and precious in every single way one could imagine. I didn't think that a woman could ever have me in a choke hold as strong as the one she had me in, but it wasn't one I ever wanted to escape from because of how blissful it felt.Layla radiated a certain kind of peace that a person could only experience once in a lifetime, but in planned to keep it for the rest of our lives that we’d spend together. I was unsure how she could be so enchantingly beautiful and still have the humility of a child with the heart of an angel
Layla’s POV“If you stare at that dress any longer, you’ll burn it to the ground with your gaze” Nadia nagged me as I took one last glance at my wedding dress while I stood at the bathroom door, I was obsessed with it.Beyond obsessed, It’s beauty had become an extra body part of mine.“At least we’d die watching its beautiful flames ascend to the heavens,” I smiled dreamily while still staring at it with lost eyes.“Be fucking for real?” She laughed before she grabbed a button off the dresser and threw it me, luckily I was able to dodge it and if I hadn't it’d have hit my eyes.“You’d explain to Ethan in detail why his bride is walking down the aisle with just one eye” I picked the button up and threw it at her, and it landed on her feet.“If you're not ready in the next hour, there’ll be no bride to scrutinize while she walks down the aisle, I promise you” She shot me a glare just before she took a seat on my bed, pulling her own dress in her lap to admire it.“What? An hour? Why hav
He moved away from me I’d just pushed a dagger through his heart again, there was disbelief, confusion, and pain in his eyes but he only had those emotions because he didn't understand why I’d declined his proposal.After almost spending my life with the wrong man because of guilt, I couldn't say Yes to Ethan while guilt kept eating me up for the great of our lives. I’d be as much of a monster as Arnold was if I take advantage of his feelings for me and jump into marriage when guilt had been plaguing me like it was my second shadow since the day I watched him fall to his death.He stared at me again, long and hard before he walked toward the bed and covered himself in the duvet, an air of uncertainty hovering over him as he delved into thoughts of his own. However, it was as he covered up tag I realized that I was still naked and I slowly walked toward the floor where he’d dropped my dress and picked up. I quietly pulled it over my head and held my arms around my body tightly as thou
Layla’s POVI’d known Joy several times in my life, but the joy I felt as I confirmed that Ethan was real and he’d returned to me was boundless, it felt like an unreal wave of happiness had been injected into my bloodstream and life finally felt worth living again.Like the war was over, and the battle line had been erased, it was surreal.“Are you going to keep staring at me like I'm a ghost?” Ethan laughed as he continued to massage my sore joints.“You might as well be” I reached out and cupped his cheek, yearning to remain in contact with him so he wouldn't disappear into thin air.“Well, I'm real and I'm here, forever this time around” He suddenly pulled me off the bed and onto his laps and I laughed as a yelp left my lips in surprise.“So you can stop staring at me with those alluring orbs of yours” He pulled my face toward him and kissed my forehead, not the quick kind that would pass as a peck, this one lingered like he was trying to touch my soul through physical touch.God,
Layla’s POVNo, no fucking way.It was him all along? Arnold killed my foster parents? He’d watched me mourn them knowing that he’d orchestrated everything because they rejected his advances toward me?“They were all I had, and you knew that! How dare you speak of their deaths so lightly, you monster!” I screamed my lungs out in anger not caring what he’d do to me.Much to my surprise, a smile covered his face showing that he was pleased that I was in so much pain because of what he’d done, my heart was being torn into countless shreds as I recalled that there was a time when I loved him and I considered marrying him not knowing what a sick and twisted bastard he was deep down.“You watched me grieve them, you watched me turn into a shell of myself, you watched me be bitter that I’d lost the last links to learning of my heritage,” My chest heaved like bomb was ticking within it as I spoke.“You watched me almost lose myself and you promised me that you’d find the beast that killed the
Arnold’s POVThe day had come.The night hour had just struck, and I was about to recover all I’d lost and much more.“Are you ready?” I asked Hera who’d been seated in front of her crystal spell casting bowl and brr spell book for the past hour.“Never been more ready” She smiled at me so brightly it could’ve illuminated the underground hideout if we switched off all the other lights, her motivation was endearing to say the least.“Go ahead and cast the spell then” I flashed her a smile as well but mine was subtle and filled with anticipation.She nodded eagerly before she crossed her legs before her and held her hands out over the bowl, from where I was I could see that a visual of crescent valley had appeared in the water that filled the bowl like a reflection and I watched her mouth move as she muttered words in an unknown ancient language.I wasn't very close to her and yet I could feel the enormous amount of power radiating from her as she rolled her head from side to side and t
Arnold’s POVHera looked like she was about to offload the heaviest weight that had ever been on her shoulders and I just stared at her wishing that I could look through her and draw it out of her myself, still Hera was the only person of worth I had on my side so I decided to be patient with her as opposed to the thought in my mind where I was half considering yelling at her and shaking it out of her forcefully.“How long before you actually use your words?” I finally asked impatiently after about six minutes of deafening and irritating silence had passed by.She looked as though my words had just jolted her out of her train of thoughts and she replaced the lost look on her face with her usual demeanor that oozed confidence, raw and undiluted confidence.“You’re a beast, Arnold” She said while her eyed bored into mine searching for a befitting reaction to her revelation.Unknown to her, her words would've hurt and surprised me a few months ago, but as I heard them it only felt like a
Hera’s POVWeeks had gone by and each day I felt crazier than the last being holed up in a disgusting dungeon that wasn't fit for royalty such as myself.Layla had replaced all the guards that were loyal to me during her reign with guards from Ethan’s rogue army and they all hated me so my seductive tricks didn't work on them. I was hoping that I’d be able to seduce one of them into setting me free but they looked at me with disdain each time they came to fling plates of food at me every morning and evening so I eventually gave up on that plan.Life seemed hopeless and it felt like the moon goddess had finally abandoned me and shut her ears to my prayers, nothing was working out and it seemed like I’d suffered so much to reach the peak of my dreams just to have it shattered by a teenage whore.Still, I tried to pull through.It was night now and I was trying to fall asleep by replaying my happiest memories in my mind, the beautiful and wholesome moments that I’d spent as Queen before
Layla’s POVThe entire palace was still buzzing with life in the early hours of the morning as preparations from my impromptu coronation were in full swing. I could hear the clustering and swooshing all around as I woke up in the master bedroom that I’d taken over seeing as I was about to be made the official queen of Crescent Valley.As I stretched out my arms, I heard a soft rap on the door.“Who’s there?” I called out in a sleepy voice.“It's me, Nadia” Her soothing voice responded from behind the door.“Come on in” I yawned in between the words and drew my silk pink robe tightly around my waist as she opened the doors.“Hello your highness! How does it feel to be mere hours away from a coronation at eighteen?” Nadia swayed from side to side with some dresses held tightly to her chest and I guessed that there were the selections for the event.“Uh, nervous?” I told her truthfully as I made my way toward the bathroom to freshen up.“You’ll do amazing while making waves in the ancien
Layla’s POVHera’s eyes were blazing with a deadly anger, a type of anger that the old me would've been terrified of if she saw how it radiated off of her, but it was a good thing that I’d buried the timid me in the wilderness before I returned for the throne.“You can either leave peacefully or meet a disgraceful end that whores like you should be accorded” Hera’s eyes held a venomous look that didn't scare me one bit as she threw her empty and ridiculous threats at me.“That crown, that throne, this kingdom…” I punched toward her as I spoke and I could see a hint of surprise flash through her eyes on seeing how much nerves I’d gathered.“All of it belongs to me and I’d love to watch you come at me so we’d see whose blood would end up tainting these floors” My orbs changed from golden brown to the piercing red shade I took when I transformed into a witch.“How dare you!? You! A worthless rat that should’ve been left in the gutters where you belonged! How fucking dare you address me t