Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
Ugh that noise again, why can’t that woman turn of an alarm?
My thoughts are jumbled, and I am struggling to focus.
Why can’t I move my body?
My body feels heavy, and I struggle to open my eyes. Finally, it begins to respond, and my eyelids open but the bright light makes me snap them closed again. I squint and try to make out the features of my room.
I open my eyes wider as they begin to adjust and finally can make out the grey walls and white ceiling, I assume I am in bed since I can feel a soft surface beneath my back.
Gingerly I turn my head to my right, and I can see computers and monitoring equipment which I now recognise as the source of the beeping.
Why is there hospital equipment in my room?
As this thought passes through my mind I turn to my left and look down to my side. My breath stills in my lungs as I see who is there, her red hair splayed out around h
Before I can answer her, my door opens again and I almost faint in both shock and fear as my dark brown eyes lock with the emerald, green gaze of Lilliana Pendragon herself.“It’s time to tell the truth Lance. No more secrets, you need to be open and honest with her now and moving forward as well. This proves exactly why the two of you cannot be at odds any longer.”“Lilliana.”Is all I manage to breathe out before my mind stutters back into gear once more and takes note of everything that is happening at this moment.Lilliana is standing in my bedroom with her husband Drake close behind her, he is still never far from her side. I am laying in my bed after a near death experience holding the woman, I hold dearest to me in this world, and I am not at my best to receive guests of such importance. Also, she just hinted loudly that I am keeping something from Rayne and after this she may never trust me again.“Yes La
Him receiving messages from an unknown number doesn’t seem all that worrisome to me, until I read that first message for myself. Unknown - ‘Disgraced Prince, everything that happens now is a result of your failure to manage and control that Bitch! It didn’t have to be this way. The Tigers were never a target, but now they are no more, and it is because of you.’ Reading that sent a chill down my spine and I couldn’t help but look to Lilli, she however was calm and just smiled at me to reassure me that she was unbothered by it. When I attempt to pass the phone back, he shakes his head and my stomach drops wondering what else there could be. I am not prepared for the fear that seeps into my veins as I read the words that follow. Unknown – ‘So you wish to ignore my warning, shall I convince you by targeting someone closer to you? She is beautiful, and such vibrant red hair.’ My head snaps up so quickly I fear that I may have whiplash and
A shudder runs through me as his breath graces my right ear, and as he whispers my name, his voice has a sexy raspy-ness that warms my blood. “Hmm?” I cannot trust my voice not to betray me, my body has already surrendered to him. “Let's go back inside, it's cold out here.” I nod and allow him to guide me back into the foyer where he closes and locks the front door. Something about hearing the lock click sets my body aflame, knowing that there is a reduced risk of interruption now. He has moved his hand to the small of my back and with a little gentle pressure, he encourages me to walk upstairs. My heart is pounding heavily with each step and although my mind is screaming at me to calm down, my body is only becoming increasingly worked up. We reach my room and Lance pauses with me at the door. I finally work up the courage to face him and almost stumble backwards at the intensity if his gaze. The fire I see there is overwhelming and it
I wake up to the early morning light streaming in through unfamiliar surroundings. As I take a moment to orient myself, I remember last night. Loving Rayne until we were both so spent that we collapsed and slept together on her bed. I chose her room because I didn’t want to have this moment with her in a place that was contaminated with another woman. I roll over onto my back with a slight groan and reach out only to feel cold empty space beside me. My head snaps to the side to confirm it and I sit up to search the room for any sign of her, but all is silent, our clothes still in a pile on the floor from last night. Where is she? I place my feet on the ground and walk around to collect my clothes, confusion swirling in my mind. I am just pulling up my jeans when I hear the door click and I turn to see it opening and there she is. I freeze in place as I notice the change in my emotions the instant, I see her. I had been feeling as thou
“I honestly don’t know Lance. I saw Tammy with a drink she told me was for you. I saw something dissolve in it before she took it to you. Then I found you dying in your room, and I asked our on-site doctor to treat you because it would take too long to get to the hospital. He flushed your system and then you woke up. What more do you want me to tell you?” She begins to get emotional, so I quickly stand from my desk and walk over to her on the sofa to hold her. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I was just surprised and wondered why I was possibly different to others who often die from poisoning. Or recover but slowly and with some complications.” “Let's say it's because of your blue blood pedigree. Perhaps that gives you a little protection and chances to choose to do better next time, like with the alcohol.” I nod as it is plausible, I guess and hold her closer to me until a knock at the door announces the arrival of Anton for the meeting, so I return to m
Listening to Lance explain himself is difficult. I have loved him since I was a kid but was unable to recognise it until we were teenagers. But as the Prince he was always untouchable, unobtainable. Then he was sent back here, no longer a prince and I had to accept the idea of him being my boss, which, added another barrier between us. After everything that has happened, especially those stollen moments where we connected, despite the mixed signals. I began to hope that the universe was giving me a sign that this was my chance. Breaking through his short temper and poor attitude has taken time but I am finally seeing the true Lance pushing through and I want to see more. Hearing him say he has feelings for me, even though he has not named them has further risen my hopes and my love for him has only grown as a result. “I want to make this house a home, with my woman by my side and the people who diligently and passionately work hard to ensure that this place i
I cannot help but swoon a little at his newly revealed caring side, but I try to remain professional. “Hmm, successful, but I think if what happened today is going to be the new norm, or even a fraction of that, then I need to increase my fitness because wow today has really kicked my ass.” He chuckles and walks fully into the room, closing the door and coming to stand directly behind me. “I will try to control myself; I don’t want to burn you out. Although, maybe we can get you a second in command to take a little pressure off you and give you a little more, free time.” “Ohoho, I know what you mean by free time, and it don’t foresee myself getting much rest if you have anything to say in the matter.” I raise one eyebrow at him, but he merely raised his hands in mock surrender. “It was just a suggestion baby. Anyway, I missed you.” He caresses my cheek with the backs of his knuckles encouraging a sigh to escape my lips at his g
These last weeks have been the best of my life. Rayne and I are growing closer each day and the staff responded positively to the changes I suggested to Anton. I was stunned at first but that soon turned to pride in my people and gratitude to them for giving me another chance.They were equally shocked but accepting of my relationship with Rayne and we’ve all begun to grow closer, slowly becoming more like a family than my real family ever was. I still miss my mother but the rest of them were never family to me.Today Rayne is off training some more of the two-year-old colts and I am in the office working through the finances for the monthly audit. The ranch is doing well, and the new hospital is proving extremely successful both with requests for help and the recovery rate.Hiring extra doctors has been a key factor in lifting some of the pressure off of my shoulders and meant that I can spread my time better between the office, the hospital, the yard, an
“Ash, my son. Long ago our ancestors were given a great gift, the ability to become wolves to protect those we care for. You are a direct descendant of the first wolf King. However, the ability to shift out of our human form and become wolves has been lost to us for about a hundred years. My son you are special, and this is a gift to embrace, but you must learn to control your emotions, or you will put us all at risk. Be cautious of who you allow yourself to become close to, for there are others out there who share this gift. They are in hiding, for now, waiting to see if a worthy Alpha will appear to them. You must prepare yourself for the challenges ahead.” That is what my mother told me after the first time I shifted into a wolf when I was ten and since that day, nothing has been the same. I have tried to control my impulses, I really have but it feels like something is missing and no matter what I do, I still ‘wolf out’ when situations become too much for me. Today I am once ag
Snaking my right arm around her waist I turn quickly and move her, so she is on her back on the bed. She squeals in surprise from the movement but quickly begins moaning again as I cover her body with my own to pleasure her from head to toe. When I finally sink into her, we both are delirious with lust, and I lose myself completely to the feeling of being joined with her until that moment when we both hit our peak and I release everything I have into her loving how she sounds beneath me. We collapse together on the bed, and I pull her into my chest wanting to hold her close. “Lance.” “Hmm.” “Have you noticed that sex between us has changed since we came to the castle?” “How do you mean? If you mean that it feels better, then I would have to agree.” “I wasn’t saying that, although it is true. But you have changed. You’ve stopped pulling out at the end.” I freeze at her words because she is right, normally I wouldn’t hesitate to pull out before I release but since moving here, I’
I am standing with King Thrane listening to him prattle on about some issues with trade having difficulty entering and leaving his Kingdom when my eyes wander across the crowd looking for Rayne. My gaze meets hers across the room and just the mere sight of her helps ease the boredom and annoyance I am feeling having to stand here with Thrane. The man is insufferable. I am ashamed to admit that there was once a time when I acted just as pompous as him with arrogance added in for good measure. Unfortunately, I need him as an ally, so I am forced to listen and play nice with him. But my eyes continue to follow Rayne as she is drawn to join the dancers. My conversation is forgotten when the children all surround her and join in with the dancing creating quite a show. All of the mingling guests pause in their conversations to stop and watch which is simply phenomenal. All of these Nobles and Royals are standing simply watching my wife dance with the kids of some of them, while she is o
A shadow passes over Drakes’ features, and I wonder if he is recalling something bad. It’s difficult to determine if this is a personal memory or one of Ash. I reach out and pat his arm which snaps him out of his thoughts, and he smiles at me. “Sorry. But don’t let us keep you from speaking with the others. You have many people to meet with today. We can catch up any time.” I nod and take Lance by the arm. He leads me through the crowd some more before a server calls out to us. “Majesties, Lords and Ladies please make your way to your seats, the banquet is about to begin.” Everyone is quickly seated, and the servers promptly appear with plates of food for everyone. Each meal has been carefully arranged to meet the dietary needs of each Kingdom, and from what I see as I glance around the room everyone is pleased with their meal. “Was this your design Rayne?” I lean closer to Lance to make sure our conversation remains private. “Of course. As Queen, I need to be aware of any sli
Taking the blood oath with Lance was something I never could’ve imagined. The feeling that pulsated through me as his blood mixed with mine was like being encompassed with pure heat that I could follow through my veins. Then I had to drink from the chalice and that feeling spread through my organs completing the process. Tim and Simon tried to explain it to me so I would be prepared but this feeling is nothing like what they described. And despite the intense heat, I do not feel any form of discomfort, instead, I feel safe, protected, and strong. Once I get my bearings, we complete the ceremony, and my crown is placed on my head. It feels strange and there is a weight to it despite how dainty it looks. So far, I have managed to progress to this point by focusing on each step but when Lance presses his lips to mine to seal the ceremony with our kiss, he lights a fire within me so fierce I have to grip his arms to remain standing. I am now his wife and the Queen of this Kingdom. But
As I wake the next morning, I turn over to reach for Rayne, but instead, my hand falls onto cold sheets and I find a note with my name on it. My King, It’s our wedding day. Thank you for such a wonderful night. I would have loved to give you a kiss this morning, however, I cannot allow you to see me before the ceremony, so I slipped out while you slept. See you at the altar. Love Rayne. I groan knowing she is right, but my body wants her, and this is going to be torture having to wait. Reluctantly I drag myself up and groggily survey the room, I find all my clothes for the day are neatly arranged around the room ready. I head to the bathroom to shower and shave so that I am presentable today. When I exit with only a towel around my waist I hear knocking on my door. “Enter!” I call out and, in walk all the male staff ready to help me dress for the day. Three hours later I am ready in my royal blue three-piece suit, complete with a white shirt and crimson red paisley waistcoat
I wasn’t expecting Lilli to announce her departure so soon but as I look into her eyes, I can see she is missing her son and no doubt there are other pressing matters for them to attend to. “Of course. Say hello to that young boy of yours for us. I hope you will honour us with your presence at the wedding?” Lilli smiles and her eyes twinkle like emerald gems. “Of course, we will be here! Royal weddings are a big event, and I would be distraught to miss yours.” I grimace a little knowing that I never attended hers which makes me begin to feel awkward. But in true Lilli style what she does next puts me completely at ease about it. “Honestly Lance, do you really think I would be upset about you missing my wedding? The last thing I wanted to do was taunt you by parading Drake in front of you. And also, I knew your father wouldn’t allow you to attend because of how things turned out. So, in short, you are forgiven for not attending an event you weren’t even informed of.” I smile and
I place my hand on his and give him a gentle squeeze. “What do you need from me?” He looks into my eyes and reaches over to cup my cheek. I lean into his touch and meet his gaze waiting for his answer. “Would you be willing to attend the hearing with me? I won’t make you watch his sentence if you don’t want to, but I would feel better having you with me while I confront him.” “Of course. Let me dress a bit smarter to match the occasion and I will do whatever I can to help.” His shoulders sag in relief and I place a kiss on his cheek. “I may be new to this and have a lot to learn about how I can support you. But I am willing to learn and do what I need to. Whatever you need.” “Thank you, Rayne.” I head upstairs to change and then return to the kitchen twenty minutes later in a dress suit. Lance smile in appreciation and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek so he won’t mess up my makeup. He then leads me to the large conference room where the other officials are waiting for us. Tak
We party into the early hours of the next morning and when everyone finally disperses to their own homes, the sun is just beginning to rise on the horizon. I love seeing Lance to happy and almost completely carefree. I know the fate of his brother must be weighing on him along with the new added pressure of being king. But I also know that he will be a great king now that he is being given the chance. Yes, he was almost king of Dracovia, but I don’t think he would have been able to settle there. Something deep inside me is telling me that he was never meant to rule with her. That their alliance between the two countries is stronger for them not being a couple. I could just be projecting my own feelings but somehow, I don’t think that that is the case. Lilli is lovely and so open about everything that happened, yes there are things I don’t know about their time together but if I am honest with myself I don’t need to know. It’s their past and it should remain that way. I feel Lance