(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
(Ariel's POV)Year: 2200, Werewolves ruled over humans, and humans could only exist as slaves to the werewolves."Are you guilty?" I flinched as the whip lashed against my back."Hmph," I gasped, releasing a groan. My body was drenched in blood, and I could feel it dripping down from me. My head was spinning, and I felt a chill in my spine."Are you guilty?" Jack, the werewolf warrior, repeated, his voice laced with fury and impatience.I remained silent while I shook my head. What wrong have I committed?He gritted his teeth while he punched me with all his strength on my stomach. Sweat and blood clouded my vision. I had been tied to this cross all day, standing atop the shredded remains of history books that spoke of human freedom. Tears scrolled down my face as I looked at the torn pages of the books. Just because I read those books?I had been accused of reading banned books, violating one of the Four Iron Laws of the werewolves: engaging in acts that threatened their rule over hu
(Ariel's POV)Time: 2200, six days until the new round of genetic testing."Ugh…" I groaned as something scratched against my skin. Frustrated, I rubbed my face and turned to the other side, but then I felt the scratching again, this time on my neck. "Ah!" I screamed, sitting up suddenly, confused and frowning. "What the hell?" I yelled as I rubbed against the tickling sensation."Ariel." I flinched at the sound of Ron's voice and looked around, realizing I was in the town's hospital. Ron was frowning, his expression tense. "Did you hit your head? Did you forget what happened?"I sighed, rolling my eyes as I accepted the water bottle Ron handed me. "I thought I was going to die.""You were." Ron scoffed, his tone mocking. "You've been unconscious all night. You have only woken up just now. I thought you were dead, so, I decided to check whether you would wake up or not."I shook my head, frowning as I muttered, "Thanks…" Hesitating, I rubbed the cool surface of the water bottle with m
(Ariel's POV)Time: Year 2200, five days until the next round of genetic testing.I glared at him with the corner of my eyes as I fumed with anger, and a gush of disgust ran down my body.Mark smiled and pulled up my chin, "What do you think about my proposal?"I gritted my teeth and tried to shake him away but his grip only tightened. "You're the perfect candidate to be my surrogate."I looked away, scoffing. "Let me go; otherwise I'll report you for cheating."Mark laughed aloud when I flinched, and he approached me closer. "Do you think anyone would believe you? You're the slave, and I'm the owner."I bit my lips while clenching my fist as I glanced down. It hurt me, but this was true. There was no one who would believe me over him. He was the rightful owner, mated to the Beta."Don't you feel ashamed to cheat on your mate?" I gritted when he pulled me closer."She's barren, and fret not, you'll be nothing more than a surrogate to me to bear my child. You're the perfect candidate f