Alice - POV I could feel the gaze of everyone in this realm fixed upon me, and I couldn't blame them. This place was teeming with renegade warlocks and witches, and encountering dragon shifters was probably a rare sight. After we entered the grand mansion, Varina motioned for me to sit on the plush couch. With a snap of her fingers, a teapot and cup materialized out of thin air. I lifted the cup, which was levitating in front of me. I savored the aroma of chamomile tea that Varina had just poured into it. As I sipped the tea, I felt my nerves gradually ease. Varina scrutinized me with a concerned expression, and I met her gaze. "I'm sorry to be a bother," I murmured quietly. "You're not a bother at all," she replied, smiling to put me at ease. Perhaps she sensed my introverted nature and the awkwardness around strangers. "I heard from my husband that Prince James is your mate," she said, pausing as she observed me fidgeting with the cup handle and avoiding eye contact. "Varina,
Alice - POVI stared at James as we walked in silence toward my house. He was deep in thought, and the fear began to creep up on me as we stood in the building's entryway, the letter from Jeffery playing in my head. I had to toughen up. I couldn't be scared of Jeffery anymore. I motivated myself throughout the elevator ride. James and I stood at the door as I rummaged through my handbag for the keys."Would you like to come in for coffee?" I asked. James blinked out of his stupor and met my gaze."Of course," James replied. I felt relieved that James would stay with me for a little longer. I brewed some coffee for James and walked to the fridge to take out the chocolate chip cookie dough. I quickly rolled them into small balls, placed them on an oven tray, and warmed some milk.I handed the black coffee to James, and he looked at the tray of cookies and milk. He raised his eyebrow at me. "I know it's childish to have warm milk and cookies, but it reminds me of my childhood when my old
Alice - POV "James, did you also come here for coffee?" I inquired, hoping to start a conversation with him. He turned his gaze toward me, and I could see the intensity in his eyes as he nodded in response. "I'll get you a coffee," I offered, before noticing that James was on a call. As I waited for him, I observed that he was attracting attention from women passing by. He seemed oblivious to their attention, lost in his conversation. Once he finished his call, I handed James his coffee, and he took a sip while staring at me. "Who was that guy?" he asked, his tone stern. "Terry, a friend I recently met," I responded calmly. "Let's head to the office; we're already late," he said gruffly. I nodded, and we crossed the street to the office building. The elevator ride was uncomfortably quiet, and I could sense our tension. When we arrived at the office, I immersed myself in a case involving a woman named Sora, who was experiencing domestic violence. Her situation hit close to home, r
Alice - POVI snoozed my alarm and got up after tossing and turning in my bed the whole night, with no sleep. Thanks to James, who said we would go to the Dragon Realms, which made me anxious as I had to go to the Dragon realm. I freshened up. I saw my face in the mirror, which had dark circles under my eyes from last night's sleeplessness.I packed my clothes in a small travel bag and texted Levy that I was going on a brief business trip. After getting dressed, my phone rang, and I checked the caller ID. It was James."Hello.""I am waiting for you at your building entrance.""I will be there in two minutes," I replied, disconnecting the call. I mustered my courage to enter the Dragon Realm, which I feared because of my mate and the horrible memories. Taking the keys, I shut the door behind me, got in the elevator, and closed my eyes, feeling dizzy and nauseous. I had been feeling unwell for the past few days, possibly due to stress and not eating on time.The elevator opened, and I s
James - POV I could feel Ella's gaze, which held gloom, and I regretted putting her in that state. The memories of Ella and me still haunt me. "James, I believe you're here on business," Darcus interrupted, returning my attention to the matter. I put down the magical stone containing the captured aura from where the attacker had assaulted Alice and me. Darcus took the stone and examined it. His eyes widened in shock. Ella looked at us in confusion. "What is it?" she asked. "This aura belongs to a rogue dragon. I settled things with all of them," Darcus muttered as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Could it be possible that there are hidden rogue dragons who could be rebelling?" I suggested. Darcus's expression turned grim. His father had teamed up with the rogue dragon against him, and Darcus had assassinated them all. Dracus's father wanted to kill him because of his power. "I don't understand why the rogue dragon is attacking you and not us," Ella questioned. I glanced at Ella
Alice - POV "Hey, Alice! What's going on?" Isha's voice jolted me out of my thoughts, and I looked up at her, dazed. The news of my pregnancy had left me reeling, my hand instinctively resting on my belly. Isha's gaze was filled with concern as she searched my face. "I'm pregnant," I whispered, and Isha gasped in surprise. "I'm not sure how to react to this news, Alice," she said, a sad gleam in her eyes. "You need to speak with Queen Ella about this. If news of your pregnancy gets out in the dragon realm, Jeffrey could use it to appeal for a reduced imprisonment time and custody of your child." The thought of Jeffrey near my child filled me with fear. "Take me to the palace," I said quietly, and Isha teleported us there without a word. Stepping into the Palace hallway, I felt my breath catch as I sat on the couch. Isha rushed off somewhere, and I closed my eyes, my mind wandering to my past with Jeffrey. {Flashback} I thought back to the day when Jeffrey had proposed to me in fr
Alice - POV "I'm sorry, what?" I asked, staring at James in disbelief. "Do you want me to repeat myself?" James asked. "It's hard to believe you're agreeing to marry me. Am I not damaged goods?" I blurted out my thoughts. "You speak constantly, lowering yourself as if you are trash. I don't see you that way; I see you as a fighter," James said, leaving me guessing. His eyes were fixed on me. "I see you in a different light, a strong woman." My eyes widened in surprise at his words. James's small smile made my heart race. "James, you didn't want a mate, and now you're okay with getting married. Is it because of my situation?" I smiled awkwardly at him. Keeping hope for something romantic is a foolish and bad idea. James's eyes still stared at me. "Right?" I asked with my insecurity. "Don't answer that. I'm happy you're helping me," I added. "Boom, boom." A fire broke out, and fireworks lit up the sky. "I love fireworks," I muttered in awe at the colors spreading across the beau
Alice - POV "King Darcus, I'll tell you about Jailbreak later, but I'm here for my mate," Jeffrey said, his eyes locked on me, filling me with fear. James stepped forward, blocking my view, his shoulders squared. "You have no mate. The woman you're staring at is my wife and mate," James said, his tone measured but warning of anger. I couldn't see Jeffrey's frame because of James's tall stature, but I could sense his anger towards James. "It can't be possible. How can Alice get a second mate so quickly?" Jeffrey mocked James. "This is Queen Ella's ploy to separate me from my mate, who is pregnant with my child." He roared, and the murmurs in the Ballroom grew louder. "So, you're saying that the mate bond ritual that all dragon aristocrats witness at the altar is a lie?" Ella walked forward, her gaze threatening. "You're delusional and can't accept that your ex-mate has moved on with another man," Ella said loudly. The crowd went silent, and I stood beside James instead of hiding b