Loretta’s POVThe thought of returning to that hell hole made hot tears roll down my eyes in torrents. Just when I thought I had gotten the freedom which I had wanted, the guards caught up with me and now I was on my way back to that devil. Taking a deep breath, I sent my teeth into my lower lips, trying all I could to muffle my screams but my attempt didn't last for long. In frustration, I yanked my hand off their girp and on the top of my voice, I screamed my lungs out. Exhausted, I tried to catch my ragged breath while the guards looked on like I was a piece for exhibit. “What was that for?” Their leader asked with a scornful look on his face. Crossing his hands on his chest, he took a step backward with a huff. “You think your screams for help are going to save you?” Another said with a mocking tone as he shoved my head to the side. “You're our prey now.” Grabbing me by the cuff of my dress, he pulled me to himself so that his hot breath was fanning my face. “You should b
Loretta's POV I made it. All thanks to the strange man. When I finally succeeded in regulating my heavy breathing and not minding the guards who were yelling on the other end, I raised my head slowly. But he wasn't there. There was no sight of him hence making me feel like I was hallucinating and thus making up ideas in my head. “But…” Shoving my thoughts off, I began to grope my way towards the pack as I didn't have any more time to waste. As expected, the looks I was getting from the pack members were all mocking while those who could speak jeered at me but I didn't flinch.I was used to all these now, so I was unmoved by it all. Getting to my father's house, I hesitated for a while before connecting my fist to the door. When I wouldn't get a response, I increased the intensity of my knock only to halt when I began to hear the sound of approaching footsteps. A few moments later, the lock clicked and Rose poked her head out. It took a while before she saw me and when she
Lorenzo’s POVEven before the guards returned with tales of their failure, I already knew the outcome. She was desperate for her freedom and she was more than ready to do anything to make sure she got it. “My lord, all we need is an order to cross the border, we will bring her to you.” One of the guards ratted out. The fright in his voice made me smirk as this was the exact effect I wanted. “I will go for her myself.” I said, pulling myself up slowly. The moment I said thess words, they all fell on their knees, their heavy breathing getting mixed up with the chirping of the birds. “Please forgive us, we are going to do our job right… please give us another chance.” Ignoring them, I made my way towards the door which was slightly open but before I could reach for the knob, it creaked it. “She is at her father's house, I confirmed it.” Leo said in a breath. “What are we going to do now?” He asked, his whole gaze fixated on me. “I will fetch her myself.” I mumbled my response b
Loretta’s POVJust like I wanted, the mating ceremony wasn't an elaborate one as only the elders and important people in the pack were present. Though it was swift, I couldn't help but to feel tired at the end of it all.At the moment, I was in the middle of my bedroom as I had just got in a little while ago. To my delight, Alpha Lorenzo didn't even bother probing about my wounds which he had examined while we were still at Neverland pack. And also, he didn't even bother asking me how my relationship with my family was like. Taking a deep breath, I took off the hair pin that held my hair in place the whole time before proceeding to take every piece of jewelry that adorned my body. “I'm sorry, I had to fix some stuff before heading here.” Hailey, my personal maid said in a breath as she waddled in. Flashing her a smile, I went ahead to speak in a calm voice, “I understand. Moreover, I can undress myself.” I added with a shrug. “No, it's my duty and I'm not one to slack off.” She
Loretta’s POVFor more than half an hour, I sat on the edge of my bed, sobbing uncontrollably. My life has always been a tough one. Nothing seems to get better. It was always from one problem to the other, making it seem like I was advancing from one level of a game to another. Falling on my back, I shut my eyes tightly. Drained, all I needed at this point was a good rest. I was already drifting into sleep when the door creaked open and almost immediately, I snapped my eyes open. On discovering it was Hailey, I became relaxed at once.“You're still undressed.” She exclaimed as she walked further into the room. My facial expression must have given my current mood away because she suddenly rushed to my side. Sitting next to me, she took my hand in hers, giving it a soft squeeze, “Are you alright?” She mumbled. “That lady from earlier, who is she?” I asked the top question on my mind. “According to her claim, she is Alpha Lorenzo's betrothed.” She replied, fiddling with her fi
Loretta’s POVThe cold gaze he sent my way which always went beyond the surface of my skin made me wince a little.If only I had been a little more careful, I wouldn't have been in this situation. “I'll get going.” I managed to speak but I couldn't move my feet. It seemed like they had been glued to the ground.“You want to know the reason why?” He huffed, his chair scraping the floor and making an unpleasant sound. Fiddling with my fingers, I reattempted moving my feet but just like before I couldn't as I was glued to the ground. Blinking my eyes uncontrollably, I began to mutter my last prayer to the moon goddess. “Who told you I’m betrothed?” He asked, halting a few feets from me with his hands tucked inside of his pockets. Rubbing my sweaty palms against my gown, I recalled Hailey’s words when she said the lady claimed to be his betrothed. “I shouldn't have asked him directly.” I mumbled, shutting my eyes tightly with my lower lips in between my teeth. “I asked a question,
Lorenzo’s POVThe moment Loretta mentioned the word betrothed, I knew at once that Natalie was at it. When she learnt I was getting mated to Loretta an hour before the private mating ceremony, hell was let loose. She was on a rampage, ranting and hurling words but none of that affected me even for a split second. Asking Loretta to share a room with me was the least thing I would have done but I just couldn't leave her to Natalie who was a potential threat. “It would only be fair if she returns to her family in a piece at the end of our contract.” I mumbled Plopping on a chair nearby, I tossed my head backwards, my eyes shut with my hands strapped across my chest. Apart from the ticking of the large wall clock, it was the sound of cutlery and plates being taken away that rented the air. Finally, it came to an end and the dining room was silent, just like I wanted it. “There is a problem.” Leo announced, reminding me of his presence but I feigned not to hear him. “Are you list
Author's POV “What is the matter?” Rita asked with a cocked brow and face filled with concern. Slowly, she made her way towards her husband who was resting against the table and then placed her hand on his shoulder. “Tell me, what happened?” She coaxed, rubbing his back to soothe him and also cajole him into saying nothing but that truth. “I think it is time I make a move.” He mouthed and instantly, Rita veered backwards, trying to fathom what he was talking about. “He is a pawn in my game now, I have to use him before I get stripped of my chance to do so.” He added. Confused, Rita parted her lips to speak but words refused to form. “What exactly are you talking about?” She finally asked when she found her tongue. “Alpha Lorenzo.” She received a curt and short response that made her eyes widen like saucers. Trembling, she grabbed the edge of the table for support as her heart slammed against her chest in fury. The last time Alpha Lorenzo paid them a visit was her first time
Lorenzo's POV Sitting at the head of the courtroom, I kept my sharp gaze fixed on the elders gathered before me.They were all making deliberations on the pressing issues at hand which include treaties, border disputes, and trade agreements. All this discussion needed my attention but I couldn't fully partake in the discussion as my mind was elsewhere. To avoid this meeting, I had asked Leo to inform the guards that I needed bed rest as specified by the physician but they didn't buy it. To them, the discussion was important and can't be postponed but to me, it was the least of my concern. My mind was solely on one person and that was Loretta.At the dining room, I was waiting patiently for her to come to the dining room as usual to serve us but she didn't, it was another maid. Other times, she had refused to meet my eyes, her grief and anger burning even in her silence and it made my heart constrict against my chest.A few months ago, it wasn't like this. I was the cold hearted
Loretta's POVThe floor in the maid quarters was cold but still, I lay against it, trying to get some sleep since I didn't get a wink of sleep all through the night. Fortunately for me, a passionate Rita exempted me from duties this morning after bringing breakfast to me herself.No doubt, this was Maya’s handiwork.No matter what I say to her about preferential treatment, she wouldn't listen to me. This morning, I discovered that my blanket had been doused with water. There was no need asking because I already knew the culprit was among the maids who had vowed to make my life a living hell. Rolling from one end to the other as my whole body ached from the hard work I had been subjected to, I heard that sound of approaching footsteps. It wasn't long after when a sharp knock disrupted the quietness in the room. "Loretta!"It was Natalie.Feigning not to hear her, I closed my eyes tightly, in hopes to drift off to sleep and for the first time, I wished that Maya was here. What I w
Loretta’s POVThe warmness of the kitchen made my skin tingle as a relieved smile spread across my lips. For a few days now the weather had been chilly so I was always elated when it was time to go to the kitchen to work as that was my place of assignment. The scent of roasted meat and the sound of boiling soup rented the air. The sweet aroma made me crave for a plate but it wasn't yet time for breakfast. Shuttling between the kitchen and the dining room with trays, I was preparing the table for the royal family to have dinner. Working at the Kitchen wasn't bad. The issue was when it was time to serve the royal family. As usual, Alpha Lorenzo would sit at the head of the table and until I disappear into the kitchen, his hot gaze won't leave me. “Here, take this to lady Natalie." The head chef said, passing a tray to me which I received from her. Reluctantly, I made my way towards the dining room. I had barely stepped in, yet I could feel his eyes on me which made me uncomforta
Lorenzo’s POVPacing about in my study, my head kept running haywire with different thoughts. How did Elder Stefan come up with that letter? Who was the one who leaked out the information from my study? — I was certain it wasn't Loretta, since she hadn't stepped her feet in my study.And it can't be Leo either because he had sworn to be loyal to me. Leaning against the table with my hands crossed on my chest, I let out a low sigh. “Even if you refuse, I will bring you out from that maids quarters. You don't belong there, you’re the mother of my child." I mumbled, pushing my hand into my hair. My frustration was mounting with each passing second but still there was no breakthrough. No one was giving me the answers I wanted, not even Leo who had brought up the letter after Elder Stefan's accusation. Raising my head up slowly, I had my gaze fixated on the door, watching as it was slowly pushed in. “Are you still awake?" Leo mouthed, walking further into the study but I said nothi
Lorenzo’s POVRegret seeped through my veins and eventually spread all over my body causing me a great amount of discomfort. Sitting before the council of elders, I had my mind elsewhere as I replayed the scene with Loretta in my mind. This was the first time Maya has spoken to me in such a manner; my actions must have triggered her to the point that she couldn't hold herself back.Loretta's defiant glare, the hurt in her voice and the way she had slapped my hands off when I tried to reach her was stamped permanently in my head. Once again, I had allowed my emotions to cloud my sense of judgement.Without bothering to do a background check on the accusations, I concluded that Elder Stefan was right all because of her father's personality. No matter how much I had tried to shake off the possibility of her being in alliance with her father, I just couldn't even though it was glaring that she was innocent. Her father was fighting her, and I was the only one she had to protect her, b
Loretta’s POVThe hallway fell into a thick silence that a knife could slice through as the weight of my words hung in the air.With my chest rising and falling, I alternated my gaze between Alpha Lorenzo and Maya.They both had a shock filled expression on their faces. Maya's mouth was slightly parted while Lorenzo's hot gaze bore through my skin, filling me with suspicion. I wonder what he is up to this time around. — I thought, wiping my forehead with the back of my palm. “You did what?" Lorenzo broke the silence, his voice was barely above a whisper but it carried a dangerous edge. Allowing my shoulders to slump, I kept my gaze on him, “I placed the signature, yes. Isn't that what you want to hear? Huh!" My anger was slowly getting an edge over me now. “Loretta, I understand you are all triggered right now but, you should be careful with your words.” Maya spoke with a sing-song voice. Closing the distance between us, she placed her hand on my shoulder, "Are you certain?” Wi
040Loretta's POVMy life had finally fallen into place. I no longer spent the whole day staring into space as I wondered what my future held for me. Miraculously, my bleak future had turned bright and I kept itching for the next day. The child growing inside of me had given me the will to live again. I wanted to be there for my child each day of his life. I don't want him to go through the same ordeal as me because my mother wasn't there for me. Rubbing my stomach, I had a little smile on my lips but it quickly disappeared when the door flung open and Alpha Lorenzo stormed in. He looked like someone who had just gotten off a fight and was nursing his wounds. Thanks to our almost stable relationship, I mustered the courage to walk up to him in a bid to find out what the issue was. To my horror, he shoved me aside, causing me to fall on the floor with my butt first and my head barely missing the bed frame. With my eyes widened in shock, I kept staring at him, unable to make a
Lorenzo's POV “Huh!" I must have terrified her to her bones with my sudden intrusion. When she didn't come in earlier, I was disturbed and my anger waxed strong against Natalie and the others whom I had thrown behind the bars. My fear was, she had returned back to her father and I was already imagining the ordeal she was going to pass through in his hands. Several times, I was tempted to send troops to search the nook and cranny of the pack and find her but I restricted myself from doing so. What if she is somewhere just nursing her wounds? — This thought reduced my tension but not completely though. And then she finally returned from her hiding. Only to get off the bed barely thirty minutes later. I wasn't going to let her go. “Let go of my hand." She snapped, trying to wriggle free from my grip but I held on even more tightly. Opening my eyes slowly, I locked eyes with her only for my heart to stop beating for a second. She was crying. Moved, I pulled her to myself and w
Loretta's POVWith Maya’s help, I cleaned up in her chambers and before she could return after being summoned, I left for the garden. Seated under the leafy tree that was at the east end of the garden, I had my head buried in my hands as I sobbed uncontrollably. This wasn't because of the humiliation Natalie had subjected me to but instead it was because of Alpha Lorenzo. I might have looked irritating and pitiful to him but that doesn't mean he should ignore me like I was a total stranger to him. For hours, I kept sobbing until my tear glands refused to produce more tears leaving me frustrated and drained of all my energy. Lying on my back with my hands as a pillow to support my head, I tried to keep my mind busy by counting the leaves on each branch. This kept me busy for a while before I succumbed to sleep only to wake up with the moonlight hovering over my head. “He didn't even bother looking for me?" I muttered, wrapping my hands around myself as my heart clenched tightly