(Elijah's POV)I linked my beta and asked him to come pick up the doll on my floor. He walked in briskly and carried the unconscious Alice out, that would teach her not to mess with me next time. Next time she might not survive it. But first, I had to deal with someone else. Ariel.I approached Ariel little by little, I knew I looked really intimidating right now but I cared less. Her gaze met mine and she took a big gulp, what that did to my mind. Fuck, I imagined what her mouth could do. How her throat would feel around my dick, her lips wrapped around it, her head bobbing. I smacked my hands and licked my lips pulling myself from my imagination.She had a spark to her that refused to be extinguished. For once, someone wasn't so scared of me and that someone was my mate. My dominance surged but something about her fierce spirit caught me and drew me in.Right now however all I wanted was to have her under me. I wanted to have her satisfy me.I shed my towel, the only piece of clothi
(Ariel's POV)I heard the door opening and closing silently as I opened my eyes to have the slight sunlight fill the room. It was the Beta who stood at the door without any expression on his face."The Alpha King," he said in a serious tone, "He has ordered that you leave the palace with him today, you're leaving moonstone."My eyes widened for a moment as I tried to process the words. The palace. Today. My heart contracted at the thought of never being in the Moonstone Pack again. I was frustrated and angry. This was the only home I knew of. Though this place wasn't any better and it had my darkest moments in life, still, it was my only home.I just stared at the Beta quietly."That's all," The Beta added before walking out.I slowly got off the bed. Moonstone Pack had been far from being my home till most part of my life; it was harsh, along with cruelest people.But still, it was where I'd grown up, where my mother had lived and died. The idea that I will never return — that I will
(Ariel's POV)Moonstone pack was where I grew up even if the memories of this place cringed me. I also looked forward to the new place I was going to.Alpha Reed also came to see me off. Alpha Reed was my Alpha, The alpha of Moonstone Pack but I rarely saw him. The only time I've seen him maybe was, while he was executing my punishment.I clenched my fist. He was different from at that time when he brought me to my knees, and let me admit to my crimes unwilliny. Rather, right now, he seemed like a nice old man, his hat made him look like a harmless grandpa. But I knew his true colors. Just then, he smiled at me when I I smiled back at him."Ariel, I am so sorry for what happened to you in this pack." He said, his face remorseful. Although Alpha Reed asked for forgiveness, it didn't skip my memory that he could be remorseful only because he was scared of what Elijah would do to him. If he was truly remorseful, where had he been all this while? And, I could still feel the tint of humili
(Ariel's POV)I know I thought it to be a mansion before but as the car drew closer to the entrance of the house, I noticed it was a palace. I gasped softly. Everything about the compound was beautiful.After my excitement died down, I began to carefully look through the compound. I noticed two guards mounted in front of the palace and two guards at the gate. And about four to five guards who seemed to patrol around the compound.The car stopped in front of the magnificent statue that was mounted just at the entrance. Elijah got out and I followed suit. I stretched my legs, sitting in the car for hours, and my legs felt numb.My eyes darted around. I was determined to celebrate me moving to this place as I was going to escape from here. I couldn't escape from him in the Moonstone Pack otherwise, he'd have taken out all his rage on the humans but this time, I'd plan everything beforehand, leaving no loopholes.And, if I wanted a smooth escape then the first think I needed to do was to
(Ariel's POV)I was taken to a guest room upstairs by Ann. As I thought, the windows were rooms and I got a room facing the back of the palace. Ann moved and parted the velvet curtains until some light streamed into the room. Outside the windows, there were guards on patrol. I counted about four. They had a gun slung across their body. The fence was so high, I would have difficulty climbing it. I might even get caught. I looked further, there was a black gate, it was smaller than the gigantic structure called city gate at the entrance of the compound.I could make out two forms, I was guessing they belonged to Elijah's guards. I wondered how many guards he had and I am sure if I totaled them I would count at least 15. I shuddered at the thought of being caught by these men. And every one of them had muscles that could scare the shit out of a kid.I looked down and I noticed the distance between the floor and my room was too wide. I was likely to break a leg if I fell off from this hei
(Ariel's POV)Sighing, I woke up, the weight of uncertainty pressing on my chest. I turned to Elijah. "What was the outcome of your discussion with the elders? What is my fate now?" His fingers caressed my skin, igniting sensations I had never experienced, but I refused to let myself become accustomed to this."Humans are slaves, and you know this. There's no way werewolves would allow slaves to rule them," I told him, a moan nearly escaping as his fingers brushed against my nipples, sending shivers through me.I contemplated what would happen if Elijah claimed me. It would shatter the pride of the werewolves and tarnish their reputation. I could envision their wrath directed at me, their creative tortures. I couldn't let that happen. I looked eagerly at Elijah, waiting for his response.He regarded me sharply, his eyes darkening. I could almost taste his anger, but I was determined to hold my ground. His rage would not kill me."Nobody—nobody—will help me make this decision. Nobody h
(Elijah's POV)I knew what my uncle found out and I think that was why he was here.The council was under Lucian's thumb, he was the ruler and so every member of the council obeyed him. That was why the council hindered every decision I made, and every move I made.I am wild. I hate being restrained, I hated the feeling of being caged, I loved to fly, I loved to be allowed to fly the height I wanted. This was the reason I agreed to find my mate. Finding my mate was on the way to get out of his control and I wanted to get out of Lucian's control. His restraints were beginning to suffocate me.In Lucian's plan he wanted to stuff the Council's daughter down my throat. He wanted me to marry her. And if I allowed him, he would only have one more spy on his side. Letting my uncle put a leash on me was something I will not let happen.I will not allow him to shove his control down my throat. Maybe he thought I did not know the evil he had committed behind the perfect uncle mask he always wor
(Ariel's POV)I was woken up early in the morning by Ann. We had to get to work, today was the day for Elijah's selection that was to be broadcasted live and we needed to prepare. The broadcast would show all the aspects of the royal life including the palace and we needed to clean and get everywhere and everything tidy and ready.Nothing made me happier than this selection. It meant Elijah had finally given up on me and was going to pick a better Luna. Just as long as I was no longer his mate, I was happy.I was cleaning the large hall when someone poured water all over the place I had just cleaned. I looked up sharply, it was a female and she was a wolf. "Go ahead, clean the floor, that is all you are good at." She taunted me. She went a tad to throw the bottle in her hand to the floor, "Pick it up, human or should I say maid." Her lips curved to one side. I was burning with fury. "You see, being a maid fits you and that is all you are good at. Oh, you thought you would be the Luna
(Ariel's POV)I hummed a tune as I got dressed for the day. I was excited to show my marksmanship, especially to the people who had not seen me in action ever but underestimated me. The look of shock and awe on their faces would make my day.I whistled and moved my hips to the tune I was humming while I brushed looking at myself in the mirror. I felt giddy.I spat out the spittle in my mouth and gazed at myself in the mirror. “You are amazing,” I hailed myself.“You are beautiful. You are smart. You are the brightest. See the adoration in their eyes because of your awesome talent. You are powerful.” I continued to hail myself looking directly at myself through the mirror.My cheeks high, my head straight, my face stoic, and my words firm.Truly, I felt powerful. Today was my day, it felt good to do something you excelled effortlessly at. I was looking forward to the shooting round. I may not know a lot of things but I understood weapons.I knew each gun just by looking at them, I iden
(Ariel's POV)I woke up to Elijah cleaning me up tenderly, my hands were no longer bound. He was drawing soothing lines over the rope mark, washing it with soap, and willing the marks to disappear.I sighed contentedly and leaned into him as he washed me. His hands massaged my shoulders gently, I was really sore and I let out a moan.“If you keep moaning like that, I would be tempted to take you here and now,” Elijah's husky voice whispered in my ear.I stiffened, I had enjoyed the sex, allowing myself to indulge in the passion and enjoy it but I was not ready for another one. I was too sore. So I tried to contain the moan that threatened to break out of my lips. Elijah was too gentle in washing me and it was making me feel so good.I relaxed and enjoyed his care. I felt helpless against Elijah’s childish attitude towards anger. The moment he was jealous or angry he showed it by trying to mark me and dominate me with sex. I was helpless against his behavior.But I wouldn't deny that t
(Elijah's POV)It's been a few weeks since I saw Ariel. I missed her so much. Dealing with the whole assassination thing was taking up my time. Each day I had lots of work on my desk and I hadn't been able to go see her.I missed her smile, I missed her body, I missed sex with her. I was craving her touch. Tomorrow was the day of her match but I needed to see her today.So I cleared up my desk early, pushing aside the rest of the work. The Moonstone file glared at me, calling for me to attend to it but I closed it right back and left to go see her.Thoughts of her riddled me as I walked down the hallway, my wolf was excited to see her, he whistled a happy tune in my head, and my body was excited to finally see her and have a proper conversation with her. Well, I hoped I would have a proper conversation with her.Every time we attempted to have a decent conversation, we always ended up with one of us angry. I knew it was bound to happen but I hoped it would be different. A man can hope
(Ariel's POV)The postponement of the contest also gave me ample time to recuperate. I had been worried about how I would perform in casts or with limps. It did not help that I had overheard some people talking and they said the next round would be shooting practice.I hoped my leg would be properly healed before the next contest. Shooting was my forte, my knowledge of weapons gave me an advantage and so I was looking forward to this section. I did not want anything to jeopardize my winning chances.25 days later, my leg was fully healed. I could stretch it, walk without limping, run, and put the whole pressure on that foot without wincing or hissing in pain. My leg was completely healed.“I am damn excited that my leg is completely healed now,” I told Raven, flexing my ankle, my cheeks turned up very high in a smile.“I am happy for you, mi lady.” She handed me a branch of the rose flower she had plucked and curtsied while at it, we laughed together.The echoes of our laughter resoun
(Vincent's POV)“I am here to escort Ariel back to her room,” I announced the moment I entered the office. Although my gaze was intent on Ron, I could feel Ariel roll her eyes. Her antics amused me.“Your eyes would soon fall off with the amount of time you roll them,” I told her. She muttered incoherent words under her breath and I chuckled.I did not mind riling her up every once in a while, I did not get the opportunity often.I had rushed here the moment my investigation had clicked that Ron was part of the resistance. He was connected in more ways than one with the resistance.It did not surprise me, I was wary and hesitant when Elijah suggested that he bring him in as Ariel's personal physician. I did not dissuade him but I did share my reluctance with him.But Elijah wanted someone he knew and someone that Ariel could be safe with after the near-assassination experience. I believed that nobody was worth trusting or was even safe to be with at the moment. Everybody was a damn su
“What did you say you are doing here?” I asked Ron again when the initial shock wore off.He sighed. “Elijah arranged for me to be here,” he dropped another bombshell.“Elijah arranged for you to be here?” I asked in confusion, almost shrieking. That thought felt absurd, what was Elijah thinking?“Yes, due to your injury. He said he wanted you to recuperate in a quiet and comfortable environment.” He replied.The wheels of my mind began to turn, so that was why Elijah did not let me stay back in my room or go to the infirmary for this treatment. No wonder he had insisted that I get a new primary care physician.It still did not make sense to me that he chose Ron to be my primary physician. Wasn't he always jealous of Ron? What happened? What changed?Something felt suspicious and not knowing what it was kept me agitated.“Come and sit down, so I can examine the wound.” Ron patted the small bed in his office.I hesitantly climbed the bed with difficulty refusing his help, my movement a
(Ariel's POV)Ten minutes after I'd woken up, I still lay in bed with my eyes open, I was still tired. I allowed my mind wander to the conversation I had with Vincent the night before. My eyes followed every object I could see in the room but I did not sit up.Another ten minutes later and I stretched my body finally ready to step out of the bed. I sat up and looked around, adjusting my body to the new day. I was a little disoriented.My ankle throbbed and I hissed in pain, rubbing soothing circles around it. Gently, I dragged myself off the bed and into the bathroom. I took my bath, making sure water did not touch my wound and then I gently re-dressed my wound. I popped a few pain killers to get rid of the pain I woke up with.When I was done, I headed towards Raven's room to check on her. I had been in severe pain yesterday plus Vincent and Elijah did not leave my room so I was not able to check on her.I felt bad that I had not checked on her and her wound until now so I hastened m
(Ariel's POV)As soon as Vincent walked out with a heavy face, Elijah entered his face wary, glancing between me and Vincent's back curiously.“Am I missing something?” Elijah asked, looking curious.I shook my head, “Nothing.”“Why did he leave with that expression then?”“I don't know. It's nothing.”Elijah stared at me warily and then shrugged, “It did not look like nothing to me.” He muttered very lowly, I almost did not catch on.“We found your assassin's,” Elijah informed me.I perked up, “Really, did you find out who sent them?” I asked genuinely interested in knowing who must have wanted me out of the way. I was certain the killers came for me and Raven was just unfortunate to be with me at that time.Elijah frowned, “No. I was still in the process when they killed themselves,” My face scrunched up in confusion.Elijah stared into space, his face bristled with unleashed anger, “I was interrogating them when they just began to bleed to death. Turns out, they had a pill in their
(Ariel's POV)I sat frozen and unmoving, my hand trembled lightly as I pondered on Vincent's question.“I want to know about your father.”The statement kept running in my mind even in my immobile state. I refused to acknowledge the question, what did he want with my father?I was not expecting the question, what had my near death had to do with my father? I had barely survived from the ruckus earlier and here he was questioning me about a man who had since died.It kept me on edge. Why did he ask about him all of a sudden? I thought about what we had been discussing.‘Yes, we were just discussing his reasons for appearing in the palace today.’ I thought. So how did the conversation include my father?I paid him no attention, my mouth shut, as I looked around the room instead, my eyes falling everywhere but in Vincent. I felt his gaze sharply piercing, waiting for an answer.And when I could not stand it anymore, I bent under his gaze.“What do you want with him?” I managed to ask.“I