~ ZoraBefore I discovered that Tyler would be my mate, I had always daydreamed about what my wedding day would be like. For me, all we had to do was figure out the basics: a place for the wedding, food for the guests, my wedding dress and the rings.In fact, Hailey and I had spent weeks scrapbooking and planning out our weddings in detail. My sister wanted an extravagant wedding, with balloons and lights dangling overhead. She had told me it would be magical and something people would talk about for weeks. I, on the other hand, wanted something simple. The ceremony would be held outdoors, with chairs arranged in an open field. There would be a small upraised stage with a flower arch over us. For some reason, I wanted it to be at night under a full moon but Hailey had looked at me like I was weird. So, I discarded that last thought.Now, that I was getting married to Nox. I still had the same want for simplicity. I wasn’t interested in being over-the-top. Nox had a lot of open space t
~ Zora"Is everything alright, my love?" Nox's voice filled my head but unlike previous times, his voice did nothing to soothe me. It didn't make me feel invincible like it used to.The fact that he sensed my misery and was checking in on me made me feel more miserable. A Queen is supposed to hold her own and not have her King checking up on her all the time, right?"I'm fine." I replied. "Are you sure?" Nox sounded like he didnt believe me. "Yes!" I reaffirmed a little bit harshly. There was silence for a while, and I thought Nox had gone off the mind-link until he spoke again, "Abby is giving you a hard time, isn't she?" I remained silent. I wasn't surprised he guessed right, given the way she made it obvious that she wasn't pleased with me. "I will talk to her." He added. I'm suddenly overwhelmed with panic. "No. Don't!" I blurted down the link. "Why not?" "Because I want to handle things myself. This is between me and Abigail." I replied. There was another pause befo
~ ZoraThe next morning, I woke up in a much better mood and with a renewed sense of determination. The rush of adrenaline that had me feeling invincible the previous day washed over me once more. I felt somewhat proud of myself for putting things in motion yesterday. I may not have influence among the top dogs in the society but at least I can use what I have to help my people.I knew for a fact that Emilia's uprising was gaining traction, and the fact her soldiers were migrating to Moonrise, which is the closest pack to the lycan territory reaffirms that suspicion. Whatever the truth may be, it’ll be my greatest pleasure to be the dark horse she never saw coming.As I showered and dressed for the day, the thought of sharing my discoveries with Nox crossed my mind. My wolf, always eager to be around him, showed excitement at the idea. I rolled my eyes, knowing she would always be biased when it came to Nox. No. I’m keeping this to myself the same way I know he’s been keeping somethin
~ Nox She is changing. I can sense it, just like when one knows, a rainstorm is coming and the atmosphere changes. Zora was no longer looking like the bright-eyed girl whose heart was open for anyone especially me to peek in. No. This girl, Zora, was gradually changing and transforming into a woman. One who is taking the reins as Queen and one whose features were darkened and emotions, guarded. I could tell because I couldn’t feel her as strongly as I used to. I watched her as she ate silently, her full wavy hair covering her face. My fingers itched to touch her soft locks and to sweep it behind her ear, so I could see her properly, but I held myself. The moment, she had withdrawn her hand from me, I knew she was displeased with me, but there was nothing I could do about it. Her safety was my priority and losing her was not an option, so if it meant her hating me for keeping things from her, then so be it. It wouldn’t be the first time I incurred hatred for my actions anyway. I tr
~ Zora “I have to warn you though.” Nox said, catching my attention. “I have my reasons for being private about my people and I would appreciate it if you kept matters relating to the lycans private as well, especially when you get a phone.” I wasn’t a child but I wasn’t about to start an argument on that, I simply smiled and nodded. If this is how politics is played, then I will be an avid learner. I didn’t think getting Nox to approve of me having a phone would be so easy, even though there should be nothing against it in the first place. It would be nice to finally be able to chat directly with Hailey and get feedback on what’s happening at Moonrise. I quickly mind linked Roman. "Hey handsome." I crooned. His reply came almost immediately but rather than sound smug and amused, he sounded tired. "I get that I am handsome but if I have learnt anything when it comes to women, it's the fact that you compliment us when you want something. What do you want? Ahh, let me guess, a new
~ Zora Nox didn’t let me see his tears, but I know he cried. When we pulled back from our embrace, his face was dry, his jaw was set and his expression was back to being stoic. Everything I had experienced from him had faded but I was grateful he even considered being vulnerable with me, even if it was just for a brief moment. I later advised him to get some sleep and with a curt nod, he walked out of the dining room. While I stood and contemplated my next move, Emelda knocked on the door and with my permission, she came in looking upset. “What is it, Emelda?” I asked, fearing for a moment that her countenance had anything to do with Nox’s health. “Nothing, my Queen.” Emelda shook her head. “Please, don’t keep things from me.” I pressed. Emelda looked hesitant for a moment before speaking, “If you wouldn’t mind, may I ask a favor?” “Of course!” I assured. “If it is within my power, I will do it.” Emelda sighed in relief at that. “May I ask that my family and I be invited to you
~ Tyler I can see their faces and the look of concern in their eyes as my people pass me by and whisper amongst themselves. Dressed in a black sweatshirt, on black joggers wearing a black face cap and dark sunglasses, I had severely overestimated the ability of my attire as a disguise. The moment, I drove into Omega Square in a borrowed car, and climbed out, people have greeted me and called me by name. As they walked along in the street, they sometimes threw back a mixture of pitiful and curious looks over their shoulders, probably wondering what I’m doing in this part of their world. I must admit, I rarely came here and now that I think of it, I realize how shitty of a boyfriend and mate I have been to Zora. During the times we dated, I never even considered coming to her block to visit her, least of all, her home. We were always either at my house or at our favorite spot. I had only come to her place twice in three years. The first was out of curiosity, to know where she lived an
~ TylerHailey's words played over and over again in my mind as she left me dumbfounded on the curb of Omega Square. Even up until the moment I drove out of the square and headed back to my apartment, her words still haunted me like the smell of cigarettes lingering in the hallway. I was about to insert my room key when a hand landed heavily on my shoulder just around the same time I heard my name being called. "Tyler." I turned around to see my father's Beta giving me that look the whole pack was now accustomed to giving. A look of pity mixed with worry. "Connell, good to see you." I lied. "What brings you to my side of the world?"The blond man sighed. A dad kind of sigh. "Son, you need to come back. Your father misses you.""Bullshit." I said, unlocking my room and sauntering in. Connell followed suit."Beer or Whiskey?" I asked, as I approached my table and poured myself a glass of bourbon. An action that was slowly becoming a habit. "It's just noon." Connell said. "Anytime
~ ZoraSeveral Months Later"Let me help you with that." My husband said, collecting a wedding present from my hand and taking it to the car. I stood in disbelief. "I'm just pregnant, you know? I'm not an invalid.Nox closed the car and gave me a shrug. "Well you have no choice." He bends down and holds my big belly before giving it a kiss. "As long as you're carrying my babies, you will do as little as possible." He came back up to kiss me and at first, I had my mouth closed refusing him entry. Then he tickles me in persistence causing me to laugh and give in. I wrapped my arms across his shoulders and leaned in deep into the kiss, letting him explore my mouth and ravish my tongue. He never ceases to amaze me with how much he could get my body to respond to his touch and make me want more and more of him. I felt a fire starting within my core and I quickly broke the kiss. Breathless, I stared at him and found him grinning to himself. "We can't continue or we'll miss the wedding."
~ Zora By the time I arrived back in Parsivia, driven by the man Roman left behind, I could see my people already in the process of packing their things. I wondered where we would go now that Emilia was getting her lands back. Once I arrived home, I sprinted out of the car and into the house. I was surprised to find that servants had begun packing as well. They bowed to me with smiles and I acknowledged them before asking about Nox. They told me he was upstairs in our bedroom so I ran up the stairs and.dashed straight for the room. The moment I came in, I found him standing at the balcony behind billowing silk curtains. He turns and finds me standing by the door and he crosses the floor to me while I do the same. By the Gods, he smelt so much stronger and looked so much better, that by the time he touched me, my body came alive like wildfire.I pulled his face in for a kiss and moaned into his mouth when his lips sent delicious warmth down my mouth and straight to my throbbing cor
~ ZoraIn a flash, Tyler steps in front of me and takes the knife in his chest. "NO!" Emilia yells and everything else happens so fast. Nox moves towards Troy and in seconds has Troy's head removed from his body.Tyler fell back on me and I had to hold him gently as I sank to my knees. Emilia rushes to his side to check his wound.Someone calls for a Healer we were told that yet they were tapped out and even Nox was spent too. Fortunately, Tyler's wound wasn't immediately fatal so he was quickly carried to one of Troy's cars. There was a pack closer to the scene which also turned out to be an ally of the Moonrise pack, we decided it was best that he was driven there for treatment.Roman offered to drive us and I had to go meet Nox, "I have to go. I need to make sure he's okay.""Go." He said but there was a certain sadness to his demeanor. "I'll watch over your family." I approached him and despite the blood he had splattered on his face from killing Troy, I kissed him on the lips.
~ ZoraIn shock, she grabs his wrist trying to get his hand off her neck as he slowly lifts her off her feet but he wouldn't budge. "Hey!" Tyler said running in but was soon stopped by about half a dozen wolvescoming out of nowhere, almost surrounding him and snarling at him to go no further.“It’s a damn ambush!” Roman mutters, stepping back while staring at something from afar. I look in time to see wolves coming out of the woods around us. They surround Nox, Roman and the other lycan soldiers. "What are you doing?!" Emilia chokes out from Tyler's grip. I could see the fear and the disbelief in her features as she looks at the man who once meant something to her.. "You dare come here barking orders at me? Who are you to believe you can be a ruler over me?"Emilia fumbles for words, clearly speechless! Her face suddenly became red as her eyes slid to mine. “Help me, please!”"Zora, get away from there right now!" Nox mindlinked me and I see him walking towards me despite wolves sn
~ Zora"I can't do that!" I immediately responded. "I can't kill Nox!"Troy gave me a sympathetic look that was meant to be mocking. "I guess your sister will have to die then." He said and turned to leave. Behind me Hailey coughed and I had to make a decision in a split second. "Wait!" Troy stopped in his tracks and half turned. "Yes?" He drawled with a malicious grin. I used that moment to try and invade his mind but I was instantly met with a blinding white light followed by a great pain hammering through my head. I cry out in pain as a result,, falling to my knees and holding my head in my hands!Troy’s laughter echoed towards me as he came closer. “I knew you would do that! Now, ain’t that a bitch?!” He chuckled. “You think I’d be dumb enough to come down here without fortifying my mind and that of my men against your power? Come on, Zora. You should give me more credit than that.”My head continues to hurt as if an electric current just passed through it. “What you just expe
~ Zora"Zora, wake up!" A groan escapes me when I feel hands on my face and open my eyes. My vision goes blurry at first seeing a warped figure above me but when I blink a few times, a person's face comes into view."Mom?" I ask. "Yes dear." She said, stroking my hair. I immediately went still. The last time my mother had stroked my hair, I was eight and had fallen terribly sick. It was an illness that lasted months and was part of the reason we quickly went broke. My mother noticed my unease with her affection so she stopped, retracting her hand from my hair. Behind her was darkness that I was unfamiliar with and around us and around us was a smell so bad, I had to sit up. Doing that caused the worst headache I had ever had. A pounding ache assaulted my head and began to pulse in my right eye.Another groan, yet I chose to look around. "Where are we?" I asked.My mother shushed me gently and whispered, "We are in a cell."At her words, I instantly became very alert. "A cell? How
~ TylerI shouldn't have but I had already started counting the days until I would see Zora again. Our last encounter had left a bitter taste in my soul and my spirit, corrupting my nights and leaving me sleepless. The harsh words that poured from my lips and became the stones that I threw at her now played over and over again in my head like a bad soap opera. I knew if I truly wanted to have peace, then I needed to see Zora again and beg her forgiveness.This was why I was a little bit excited when the guards came to drag me out of my cell to an unknown place. I was so riddled with thoughts of seeing Zora again that when I was brought into an office which had only Emilia, Nox, and his second in command, I automatically searched for her. "Where's Zora?" I asked as the guards worked on adjusting my chains so I could sit in a chair next to Emilia. Nox was seated while Roman stood and I noticed how both men looked sad and angry at the same time, as if something terrible had happened.
~ NoxWhen Elsa died, it felt like a part of me had died with her too. Before her, I was in a funk, dealing with the consequences of having a cruel father and a depressed mother. Growing up, Roman was the 'ray of sunshine' who didn't let me stay entirely in the dark and when Elsa came, she totally brought me into the light. She made me feel entirely vulnerable with my guard down. She was a girl I'd do anything for, including fighting my demons and conquering my fear of letting another human into my heart. Everything was fine until the curse took her and she died with her hand in mine. That was when I began to freefall into the deepest darkness I had ever been in and put up layers and layers of protection around my heart.And then Zora came along and began to chip away. She was a woman with a hammer breaking through my shield until she got to the last layer. Elsa. It was a layer I wasn't ready to bring down, not when death hung over her head. Now I find myself wishing she'd walk t
~ ZoraI woke up to the rhythm of my own heart beating and when I opened my eyes and looked around, I couldn't help the frustrated sigh that left my mouth when I realized I was in a hospital again. "Zora?" A familiar voice called and I turned my head to the right to see Nox sitting in a chair close to me. "Thank the gods, you're awake." He said, taking my hand in his. Although, I felt sparks tingling up my arms, they felt more like an inconvenience rather than something enjoyable. "What happened? How did I get here?" I asked, racking my head for my last memory. "You don't remember?" I shook my head. "The last thing I remember was…" I pause, suddenly remembering myself drowning. "... dying…and then you pulled me out."Nox met my gaze and I suddenly felt a mixture of guilt and relief emanating from him. "You saved my life." I concluded. “Thank you.”Nox responds by taking my hand to his lips and kissing it repeatedly and it should affect me in a positive light but the more I look