XANDER'S P.O.V. I sat on the imposing throne which stood on an elevated dais that overlooked the vast expanse of the throne room. The room was filled with a tense silence which was broken only by the whispers of courtiers that stood in straight lines along the walls of the room. As the members of the court stood together in the big throne room, their whispers filled the air with a tangible unease. Their eyes darted nervously between each other and their bodies were tense as they awaited my judgement. Prince Xander, they all called me. As the heir to the throne, I was the symbol of authority and power; features that resonated within every pore of my being. The air was thick with tension as I stared at the crowd, taking my sweet time to deliver the sentence. My Beta, Marcus Hawthorne, stood beside me, his eyes never leaving my face as he, alongside all the other people present in the room, waited with bated breath for my decision. The weight of my royal responsibilities sett
SERAPHINA’S P.O.V It was another one of those days. A day in which I was stuck in a continuous reoccurrence of underwhelming lessons. I could not bear another minute of Lady Agatha’s monotonous drone lecturing me, endlessly, on the customs of the Shadowmoor Kingdom. I just could not bear another moment in the stifling confines of the lecture hall, My patience waned and I was nearing on my breaking point. In that moment of unbearable and extreme distress, a plan began to take form in my mind. With a conspiratorial glance at Leana, I raised my hand up. My action succeeded in drawing the governess’ attention to me. “Yes, Your Highness? Might you need something?” She asked. “I feel a bit pressed, Lady Agatha. I would like to be excused to use the lavatory.” I said while putting on an act of fidgeting in my seat. “Of course, Your Highness. You may be excused. We’ll continue with the lessons once you’re returned.” She said. “Thank you, Lady Agatha. I’ll be back before you know it.” I s
SERAPHINA’S P.O.V My heart thumped in my chest, and I could swear the sound echoed in that clandestine cave. My breath caught in my throat as I tried to calm my raging heart. The cave was darker than I expected, the air thick with the scent of damp earth as I pressed my back against the cold stone wall, trying to make myself as small as possible. I could not afford to be caught. Not by a group of traitors. I had only intended to take a brief walk to clear my mind after the sight of my husband and his mistress had soiled the joy of my successful escape from the awful lessons I had been subjected to take by duty. But now I was here, unwittingly eavesdropping on something that I could have never imagined. Nothing could have prepared me for what I stumbled upon that day. The voices inside the cave grew louder and more heated. They spoke in low tones, but the urgency in their words was unmistakable. I could not make out everything they were saying, but one thing was clear.
SERAPHINA'S P.O.V.My words were met with shock- from both the woman and myself. I was surprised that I had let that slip out of my mouth without thinking. Gerald had always told me that my impulsive nature would only lead me to doom, and I was starting to believe him. The redhead was still frozen on the spot as she turned to face me with wide eyes.“What did you just say?” she asked. “I want to join your forces,” I repeated, my voice steady despite the tremor of fear running through me. “If what you say is true, then the King must be stopped. I want to help.”The redhead’s eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly masked it with a suspicious frown.“Why would you want to do that? You’re just a maid.” she stated, regarding my state of dress with a matter of fact glance. I met her gaze, my heart hammering in my chest at my recklessness. “Because I’ve seen the same injustices you speak of. And because I want to help you bring him down.” I replied. My answer was only a half truth as I
SERAPHINA’S P.O.V “Is this the village?” I asked, my voice filled with disbelief.The redhead glanced back at me, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.“Are you surprised?”I could only nod, my eyes wide as I took in the sight before me. The village bustled with life as I followed her through the narrow streets, my eyes wide with awe. The sounds of laughter, chatter, and the occasional bark of some dogs filled the air. Out here, it was very different from the controlled and polite silence of the palace. My brother and I used to visit the village in Ravenscroft, but it was nothing like this. There, I was always under the watchful eyes of the guards, only allowed to see what they deemed appropriate. But here, in the heart of the Shadowmoor Kingdom, I felt the true essence of the people. “You’re not a native, are you?” the redhead asked, a frown pulling at her brows. “No, I’m not.” I replied. “That much is obvious. Is the village so different from where you’re from?” she a
XANDER’S P.O.V I stood in the middle of the deserted palace field, my senses alert for any sign of movement. The wind was a bare whisper, rustling through the grass at my feet. I had chosen this place because it was far from prying eyes, but now, harmed with the knowledge that the king had spies everywhere, I couldn't shake the worry gnawing at me.I detested the fact that we were subjected to meeting like this. And Isabella hated it even more than I did. She had complained last time, saying she felt suffocated by the constant sneaking around. Always in secret, always in the dead of night. She deserved better than this. I knew it, but what could I do? My hands were tied by my position, my marriage… and the king. She had begged that we meet during the day, under the warm embrace of the evening’s sun, and I’d had no choice but to give in. She was my mate- I could not refuse her anything. The field was deserted, just as I’d planned. My eyes scanned the horizon, searching for any sig
XANDER’S P.O.V "Now?" I asked."Now." Marcus said as he nodded. “Can I not have a few more minutes to myself?” I asked. “I must apologize for the interruption, but you can not. The King has stipulated that you grace him with your presence immediately.” Marcus insisted. “It seems urgent.” I clenched my jaw, resisting the strong urge to curse. I didn’t want to leave, not yet, but the king’s summons wasn’t something I could ignore. I turned to Isabella with a regretful expression on my face. "I have to go." I said."I know. Go." she said. She pressed a kiss to my lips, her touch lingering.“I/m sorry.” I apologized. Isabella pulled away, her expression resigned.“Go,” she whispered, though her voice trembled slightly. “I’ll be fine.”“I’ll find you as soon as I can,” I promised. She nodded, though we both knew it was never that simple. I pressed a lingering kiss to her lips once more, fiercely, as if it might be our last. Reluctantly, I quickly got dressed. "I’ll see you s
SERAPHINA'S P.O.V. The rain fell in heavy droplets, drenching the courtyard. The wind blew past slowly and with it came a chill that whipped through my soaked clothing, causing a shiver to course through my body. I stood at the center of it all, my muscles tensed and my senses alert as I gripped my sword tightly, my knuckles turning white against the familiar weight of the weapon being held by my hands. The rain drops mixed with the beads of sweat that dotted my forehead as I squared my shoulders and readied myself for another round of combat practice. Across from me, Gerald stood with a similar weapon in his hands, and his face wearing an expression of concern. "Seraphina, ease up on your strength," he called out, his voice firm yet gentle. "Remember, it's not always about overpowering your opponent. Control and finesse are equally important." I nodded, acknowledging his guidance but we both knew that I was not going to follow his advice as the urge to release my pent-up f
XANDER’S P.O.V "Now?" I asked."Now." Marcus said as he nodded. “Can I not have a few more minutes to myself?” I asked. “I must apologize for the interruption, but you can not. The King has stipulated that you grace him with your presence immediately.” Marcus insisted. “It seems urgent.” I clenched my jaw, resisting the strong urge to curse. I didn’t want to leave, not yet, but the king’s summons wasn’t something I could ignore. I turned to Isabella with a regretful expression on my face. "I have to go." I said."I know. Go." she said. She pressed a kiss to my lips, her touch lingering.“I/m sorry.” I apologized. Isabella pulled away, her expression resigned.“Go,” she whispered, though her voice trembled slightly. “I’ll be fine.”“I’ll find you as soon as I can,” I promised. She nodded, though we both knew it was never that simple. I pressed a lingering kiss to her lips once more, fiercely, as if it might be our last. Reluctantly, I quickly got dressed. "I’ll see you s
XANDER’S P.O.V I stood in the middle of the deserted palace field, my senses alert for any sign of movement. The wind was a bare whisper, rustling through the grass at my feet. I had chosen this place because it was far from prying eyes, but now, harmed with the knowledge that the king had spies everywhere, I couldn't shake the worry gnawing at me.I detested the fact that we were subjected to meeting like this. And Isabella hated it even more than I did. She had complained last time, saying she felt suffocated by the constant sneaking around. Always in secret, always in the dead of night. She deserved better than this. I knew it, but what could I do? My hands were tied by my position, my marriage… and the king. She had begged that we meet during the day, under the warm embrace of the evening’s sun, and I’d had no choice but to give in. She was my mate- I could not refuse her anything. The field was deserted, just as I’d planned. My eyes scanned the horizon, searching for any sig
SERAPHINA’S P.O.V “Is this the village?” I asked, my voice filled with disbelief.The redhead glanced back at me, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.“Are you surprised?”I could only nod, my eyes wide as I took in the sight before me. The village bustled with life as I followed her through the narrow streets, my eyes wide with awe. The sounds of laughter, chatter, and the occasional bark of some dogs filled the air. Out here, it was very different from the controlled and polite silence of the palace. My brother and I used to visit the village in Ravenscroft, but it was nothing like this. There, I was always under the watchful eyes of the guards, only allowed to see what they deemed appropriate. But here, in the heart of the Shadowmoor Kingdom, I felt the true essence of the people. “You’re not a native, are you?” the redhead asked, a frown pulling at her brows. “No, I’m not.” I replied. “That much is obvious. Is the village so different from where you’re from?” she a
SERAPHINA'S P.O.V.My words were met with shock- from both the woman and myself. I was surprised that I had let that slip out of my mouth without thinking. Gerald had always told me that my impulsive nature would only lead me to doom, and I was starting to believe him. The redhead was still frozen on the spot as she turned to face me with wide eyes.“What did you just say?” she asked. “I want to join your forces,” I repeated, my voice steady despite the tremor of fear running through me. “If what you say is true, then the King must be stopped. I want to help.”The redhead’s eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly masked it with a suspicious frown.“Why would you want to do that? You’re just a maid.” she stated, regarding my state of dress with a matter of fact glance. I met her gaze, my heart hammering in my chest at my recklessness. “Because I’ve seen the same injustices you speak of. And because I want to help you bring him down.” I replied. My answer was only a half truth as I
SERAPHINA’S P.O.V My heart thumped in my chest, and I could swear the sound echoed in that clandestine cave. My breath caught in my throat as I tried to calm my raging heart. The cave was darker than I expected, the air thick with the scent of damp earth as I pressed my back against the cold stone wall, trying to make myself as small as possible. I could not afford to be caught. Not by a group of traitors. I had only intended to take a brief walk to clear my mind after the sight of my husband and his mistress had soiled the joy of my successful escape from the awful lessons I had been subjected to take by duty. But now I was here, unwittingly eavesdropping on something that I could have never imagined. Nothing could have prepared me for what I stumbled upon that day. The voices inside the cave grew louder and more heated. They spoke in low tones, but the urgency in their words was unmistakable. I could not make out everything they were saying, but one thing was clear.
SERAPHINA’S P.O.V It was another one of those days. A day in which I was stuck in a continuous reoccurrence of underwhelming lessons. I could not bear another minute of Lady Agatha’s monotonous drone lecturing me, endlessly, on the customs of the Shadowmoor Kingdom. I just could not bear another moment in the stifling confines of the lecture hall, My patience waned and I was nearing on my breaking point. In that moment of unbearable and extreme distress, a plan began to take form in my mind. With a conspiratorial glance at Leana, I raised my hand up. My action succeeded in drawing the governess’ attention to me. “Yes, Your Highness? Might you need something?” She asked. “I feel a bit pressed, Lady Agatha. I would like to be excused to use the lavatory.” I said while putting on an act of fidgeting in my seat. “Of course, Your Highness. You may be excused. We’ll continue with the lessons once you’re returned.” She said. “Thank you, Lady Agatha. I’ll be back before you know it.” I s
XANDER'S P.O.V. I sat on the imposing throne which stood on an elevated dais that overlooked the vast expanse of the throne room. The room was filled with a tense silence which was broken only by the whispers of courtiers that stood in straight lines along the walls of the room. As the members of the court stood together in the big throne room, their whispers filled the air with a tangible unease. Their eyes darted nervously between each other and their bodies were tense as they awaited my judgement. Prince Xander, they all called me. As the heir to the throne, I was the symbol of authority and power; features that resonated within every pore of my being. The air was thick with tension as I stared at the crowd, taking my sweet time to deliver the sentence. My Beta, Marcus Hawthorne, stood beside me, his eyes never leaving my face as he, alongside all the other people present in the room, waited with bated breath for my decision. The weight of my royal responsibilities sett
SERAPHINA’S P.O.V The stone walls of the palace echoed with my measured steps and Leana’s hurried ones as I made my way to to the appointed room for my studies. On stepping into the thresholds of the room, I was met by the stern countenance of a strict woman with graying hair and an obvious penchant for correction. She was the governess- an imposing figure who had been tasked s with the job of teaching and guiding me through the Shadowmoor Kingdom’s Wolf Pack regulations and traditions. “Good day, Your Highness.” greeted the governess, letting herself drop into the lowest curtsy that her aging body would allow her to. “Good day, Lady Agatha. I hope you had a splendid night’s rest?” I asked, as I watched her stand up, slowly, from her curtsy. “I had adequate rest through the night, Your Highness. I hope you, as well, got more than enough rest during the night. It wouldn’t do to have you doze off, again, during the day’s lessons.” Lady Agatha said. At her indirect
SERAPHINA'S P.O.V. I sat by the ornate mirror in my chambers, absently staring at my reflection as Leana brushed my long, black locks in front of the ornate mirror in my chambers. The morning sun cast a pale glow through the silk curtains, illuminating the chamber; it filtered through the open windows and painted a warm glow of it's gentle hues on my distressed face. The confrontation with the prince lingered in my mind like an unwelcome specter as it did not disappear with my sleep the previous night. In the pale light of dawn, I'd found myself tossing and turning, haunted by the words that the prince had spoken the previous night. The words he spoke lingered like a bitter taste, unraveling my carefully laid plans for our union. Ever since the prince had angrily slammed the door to his chambers behind him, leaving me reeling with shock and anger the night before, I had become tangled in the threads of my own thoughts. The night had been an abyss of sleeplessness, haunt