(Ariel's POV)I scowled at the cliche answer and rolled my eyes, and suddenly, Don's face changed. He looked like he was staring into space and thinking hard, his face bunched up in a frown.I have never seen him frown that hard before, while he was not a smiling beta, he certainly did not go about frowning like someone stole his candy. But right now, his face was a little scary.He snapped out of whatever had his face in knots and turned to me, "The Alpha has been injured while on patrol." He said with the most serious face ever, "News reaching me is that he was injured with a dagger you designed."That caught me off guard and I jerked back eyes wide. This did not sound good, if he was injured with my dagger, it meant I was suspected."Am I a suspect? Do you suspect I had something to do with this?" I questioned him sharply.He laughed, He freaking laughed even if it was not full laughter, it did not reach the corners of his mouth. "Ariel, I have been with you throughout today and fo
(Ariel's POV)My eyes fluttered open and began to dart around. I was confused for a minute, "Where in the world was I?" I almost panicked, I tried to get up but something held me. I looked down, I was lying on Elijah's chest, his arm spooning me. "How did I get here," I mused.Elijah was still asleep, I turned to stare at him. His jawline was so sharp, his face was clear, and I was jealous of his eyelashes. "How can a man have all that full and beautiful eyelashes?"I laid my head back on his solid chest and listened to his heartbeat, the rhythm strangely calmed me down."I wish I could remain like this forever." My eyes widened at my thought. Why would I think of that?An urgent knock brought me out of my bliss and woke Elijah. Elijah stirred, his eyelids fluttered open and he looked straight at the door. His gaze was sharp and piercing and he was still spooning me. He noticed my gaze on him and amusement danced in his eyes.They knocked again, I did not want to embarrass myself any
(Ariel's POV)After Lucian's visit, Elijah informed me that I would go with him to the Howling pack to visit the Alpha and his daughter. He had informed me that the Alpha's daughter who he called Emily had requested to see him and he could not just reject her.I understood why even without being told, I also knew he wanted me to come along as a form of rebellion to the council. It irked me that I was being used as a tool but when was I not?Elijah drove the car and another car drove behind us. The car behind us had three guards. He did not want to have too many entourage since this was supposed to be a friendly visit.Five minutes into the journey Elijah engaged me in a conversation, "Howling Pack is close to the central district and we have roughly 45 minutes to get there." He said, his hands held the steering wheel gently. His long pale fingers were a beauty to behold, his nails a little long but well kept. "How could the goddess give everything to a man," His beautiful fingers woul
(Ariel's POV)Everyone greeted Elijah, from the leaders of the pack to the pups, everyone came to greet Elijah. Maybe not every single pack member but a lot of people came.When they had all left, Alpha Lambert turned to me, "Ariel, could you walk around with Emily? Emily, show her around all right. We have something important to look into regarding the trades right now, Elijah and I." Alpha Lambert said, giving us a soft smile.I knew this was bound to happen but I had hoped it would not. I was so done for, I winced. "Okay, Daddy," Emily replied to her father in a sickening sweet voice. Her nails dug into my arms as she pulled me away, I tried to pull away but she held on tight, the fake smile still etched in her face. We leave the conference room.As soon as we were out of sight, Emily threw my arm away like I was some dirt. I expected it, I hugged my arm and rubbed the spot she had pinched roughly. I looked around. We were standing close to a pool alone, and nobody else was in this
(Elijah's POV)After Lambert dismissed the girls, we sat back to talk about business. I was a little worried for Ariel but I hoped she would stand up to Emily because Emily was bound to do stupid things."The Irish pack wants to trade. The Alpha contacted me last week." Alpha Lambert informed me.I pecked up, the Irish pack was the pack in Ireland, they were not under our governance. But we respected each other and sometimes did business together just like now."What do they want to trade on?" I asked."Pacemakers. They need pacemakers, about 50,000 units per month for at least 3 months with $500 per unit." Alpha Lambert told me, his hands coming to rest on the table in front of us."What did you negotiate on then?" I asked him, leaning back into my chair. Alpha Lambert was a smart man, I was sure he had already finished the negotiation. This meeting was just a formality.He sends me a goofy grin, "I insisted I would consider it if they increased it to $800 per unit.""What is the fin
(Elijah's POV)I pulled Ariel out of the water, we were both soaked and we did not have extra clothing that did not matter to me right now. I laid her on her back and began to pump her chest.She had swallowed enough water to fill a bucket, the more I pumped the more she coughed up water until she was dry heaving. Colour was returning to her cheek and that brought me relief.I tapped her chin lightly, "Emily wake up." She did not respond."How would she?" I mocked myself.I pumped her chest a few more times and she opened her eyes breathing heavily. I was worried,"It's okay," I told her while rubbing her back through her wet cloth. Her eyes darted around and she tried to find her bearing.It took a few seconds but she stopped breathing heavily and sat up properly, she looked around and wrapped her hand across her body. She was soaked and her actions did little to nothing to help her.By now more people had joined the small crowd, and the murmurings were getting louder. I looked throu
(Ariel's POV)After Elijah is done in the bathroom, I enter and clean up. My mind still pondering on the training he talked about. I was clearly confused.Let's assume he meant the kind of training I thought. Who was going to train me? Elijah was definitely too busy to do that and if he left me in the hands of his warriors, I am afraid I would be the next person on the hospital bed with a stab wound or bruises.The thought stayed on my mind all day but Elijah did not make a move to explain. It was not until the next day that I understood what his plan was.After I had gotten dressed the next day, Elijah came knocking on my door. I opened up and he walked in with Igni. I narrowed my eyes but said nothing."Igni would be training you." He dropped the bombshell on me, I gaped at him, eyes wide. Surely he did not mean that, right?"You would start today. She will be taking you to the training ground right now." He looked me over and seemed satisfied with what he saw, my mind was reeling.
(Ariel's POV)Igni took me to a spa. A freaking spa!After I followed her from the Training center, she drove us to the most famous hot springs in the central district.It was the first time I had left the palace to the central district or practically anywhere without Elijah by my side and I was a little excited about it. Something about doing this without Elijah's presence made it exciting.Upon getting into the hot springs lodge, a tall young man who I later got to know was the owner of the hot springs walked out to meet us, well meet Igni. He nodded at her and respectfully handed 2 cards to her.I admired that Igni was respected enough wherever she went. The 2 cards were a gatepass, you can call it a membership card. It gave us access to the springs facility.The hot springs was a beauty to behold. I had not been to a spa before and this sight was amazing. I looked around trying to look my fill.After Igni took the card, we headed to the showers. I was so shy to share a shower with