☆
Chad When I heard the piano keys, I was on one of the top floor balconies of the Palace. I had been keeping an eye on that Lunas' reunion. I didn't like that Bella was surrounded by strangers and so close to Arona and Jasper's mistress. I was proud to see that she was able to hold her own and was not easily bullied. Bella started playing Moonlight, but then she switched to a different song, one that I swear I had heard before a long time ago. I just don't remember when or where. I let myself drift away as she played the song, caressing my soul. She was mesmerizing. Bella touches every fiber of my being. "Your Luna is full of surprises, King Chad." Dane said with a sideways smile. He was here too, keeping an eye on Elise and minding Peggy while Elise was busy. "Did you recognize the song she switched to in the middle?" I asked, hoping that he did. "Not a clue, but it was an excellent combination. She first started with a sad song and ended with a happy one." It really was. I
Bella's POV The next day, I woke up with a new resolve. I was hoping to find that man and unmask him. I have a gut feeling about him. I could use my ring from afar and take his mask off, but I don't want to risk it. It would be way too obvious. Another problem would be to sneak away from Chad. I felt a pang in my heart. Chad is naturally possessive, and I don't like keeping secrets from him, but if I tell him what I suspect and it turns out that I was mistaken, he will just assume I'm becoming paranoid. After all, if the guard was who I think he is, he wouldn't have ignored me. No way, when my brothers are as possessive and protective as Chad. But his scent, it felt so familiar, although it was mixed with something else. The only explanation for a scent to change is when a person gets marked and mated, but my brothers haven't found their mates yet. A knock on my door brings me back from my thoughts. Rose walks in before I answer. "Good morning, Luna." Rose said, with a chir
Chad's POV The reports Dane has been getting from our spies are worrisome. There has been an ongoing investigation about my ambush and the attack to Bella's family. Our suspicions have been correct, and they are connected. I have three suspects right now, but I need proof. There was definitely rogue involvement, but who is their boss? Dane and I sit in the underground bar. This is one of my secret meeting places. The entrance to this place is through a human church. Fort, a man I fully trust, and one of my best spies is sitting across Dane and I. He is pissed about the information he's relaying to me. "This was an inside job, my King. I spent all of these weeks in North Natbia and couldn't find anything about the Lockwoods' attack or yours. This means the ambush was planned on our side." Fort gulps his tequila shot and slams the small glass on the table. "Is that so?...." I suspected something of the sort. "Hudson being here can complicate things. My enemies will want to alli
Bella's POV Today is finally the day of the first competition. I decided to wear another exclusive dress from House LW. It was a taupe gown that popped out my eye color. It exposed my right leg and showed some cleavage. I had spent all morning with Elise, Lira, and Tessa getting ready. We went to the spa. We did our nails and hair last. I left my hair loose in soft waves. Chad's low growl when he saw me confirmed I looked good. I needed to look the part if I was going to compete against Princess Arona. Chad gave me a new tiara with a matching necklace as well. He said his mother had left him all of her jewelry for his future wife. "You will be my mate, my wife and my Luna. I plan to claim you in every possible way, Bella." Chad said as he put the necklace on me. My heart made a leap, and I almost ruined my makeup as my eyes prickled with unshed tears. We waited to be announced while they introduced the foreign royals first. The announcer Ferragano was louder than ever. The place
Bella's POV Arona waited until the round of applause died. She looked confident. Her aura was at maximum potence, enveloping every single member of the audience. She wanted them to feel her power. On her exquisite red strappless gown, she had put her 4 military medals on the left side of her chest. The medals glinted with every one of her movements, and I could tell she was proud of her achievements. I got distracted for a second when I spotted the masked guard in the audience. He was watching Arona, enthralled by her every movement. His presence brought me an estrange sense of comfort. I turned to look at Chad, and his smoldering gaze made me gasp softly. He knew I was looking at the masked man. He gave me a warning look. A look that promised consequences for my transgression. I remembered when he threatened to spank me, and my cheeks reddened. "Like I said, if you choose me as your Queen and Luna, I will bring a substantial dowry with me. A huge one." People cheered and clapp
Chad's POV Bella takes the mic from Ferragano with confidence. All of these vultures here are waiting for her to fall and shred her to pieces. Not on my watch. What's mine is Bella's as well. Hell, she owns everything now, including my heart and my life. I look around, and I l see the Alpha King still staring at Bella with the pretext of being interested in the competition. Bella looks stunning in that dress. I have imagined taking it off of her with my teeth more times than I dare to admit in this short period of time. 'Kill him.' Growls Cobalt. Hudson is not the only one here looming over my woman. Jasper Holloway is here as well. Always watching her under his eyelids, watching over his prey. He had the audacity to growl when I kissed her on her wrist. I lifted her arm high as she was so much smaller than I am, and I planted a sensual kiss on the tender flesh of her arm. I can't wait till this is over and kiss her the way I crave right now. "Greetings, citizens of Keladia." M
Bella's POV The votes on the screens were moving rapidly. Chad held me firmly at his side as we both stared at one of the huge tv screens above. I suddenly fell a chill run through my body, and I buried my face on Chad's chest. It wasn't the first time I felt someone looking at me and provoking this unwelcome reaction on my body. Chad kissed the top of my head, probably thinking I was nervous about the results. When I turned to look at the screen, I was surprised I had won the first tournament. The votes were favoring me by a lot. Chad squeezed my arm lightly and kissed my temple. Ferragano jumped to the middle of the stage with the results in his hand. "Citizens of Kaladia, you have chosen the winner of this first competition.... Luna Bella Lockwood!!" Showers of confetti and metalic colored papers fell from the ceiling. Celebratory music blasted from the speakers as the majority of people celebrated, and a few others complained. Arona's berating screams were drowned by the
Chad's POV I tried thinking if I ever met Apha Maxwell's Luna, but nothing came to my mind. Although, I probably did meet her if Alpha Maxwell ever brought her to the palace. I took off my jacket, and I put it around Bella's shoulders. Her beautiful, perky, round tits kept tempting me, but I wanted to take her inside the palace. "If your father ever brought her to the Palace, I probably met her." I said with a shrug. "Let's go inside, I'm not done with you yet. I owe you a spanking." She squeaked, making me chuckle. I lifted her up in my arms, and I walked towards my room. She wrapped her arms around my neck and looked at me with the cutest scowl. "Now, why would I deserve a spanking?" She exclaimed. "Well, for instance, for having wandering eyes. During the event, I caught you looking at Arona's guard." She pouted. "Also for hiding your secret identity to me, and so on." She gasped. "Do you know how many times I requested to meet with Leanne Wayne just to be rejected every t
Hendrick's POV I entered the room as soon as Chad left. The air still reeked of sex, and I felt a sharp sting of jealousy. Lycans have a much stronger sense of smell than wolves. I felt Bella's scent as I approached the bed—she smells exquisite. That natural aroma of hers calms both me and Chaos. I sat on the chair to gaze at her like a fucking stalker. She stirred in her sleep. Her wolf could sense me, but she did not feel threatened by me. She sleeps peacefully. I resisted the urge to brush the silky strands of hair away from her face. Her pillowy lips are slightly parted as she breathes softly. The palace is bustling with activity, all in preparation for her wedding to Chadwick. My jaw tightens. This infatuation has had to go. She's my brother's mate. The one and only, not a second chance mate, but the one the Goddess intended for him. Holloway signed his death sentence with what he did. I know my brother. He does not forgive easily, especially when it comes to her. Hence, m
**Bella's POV** After Dane shared the great news, I got up from Chad's lap and placed the plate of food on the table. I had been so hungry earlier. Although I usually don’t eat much meat, I felt like I could eat everything on the table. Chad had been feeding me tiny bites when Dane walked in, and I noticed the amused glint in his eyes at the sight of us. Everyone at the palace saw Chad as the big bad wolf, but he was so sweet to me. "So, he's gone!" I exclaimed with excitement. "It seems so," Chad replied, leaning back on the couch and crossing his legs in a figure-four position. "We won't let our guard down, though. Don't forget that he is working with a witch." He focused his gaze on me, and I felt my cheeks flush as I averted my eyes. I grabbed the glass of wine Rose had served earlier and welcomed the bittersweet taste. "I will reinforce the security around the palace. People from neighboring packs have started to arrive for your wedding," Dane said before excusing himself
Chad's POV I witnessed everything in those fleeting seconds from a distance. The chaos that unfolded was overwhelming. Her power was immeasurable; she tore through the magic barriers fiercely. My warriors stood helplessly. There was nothing else to do. She eliminated the threat singlehandedly. Now, I cradle her in my arms inside the car as she sleeps like an angel, not as the terrifying witch who just obliterated an army of warriors. The small lashes on her supple skin finally heal, and I clench my jaw at seeing them. The dried blood that smeared her skin had already begun to flake away. Hendrick speeds past on his motorcycle. He knows what Bella is capable of, so he had no doubts when he took her to that place. I can't help but feel jealous of their closeness. Why does she trust him with her secret and not me? Dane pulls through the castle gates, and I leave the car carrying Bella. As we pass by the common room, the women gasp and look in horror as they see Bella covered in bl
Bella's POV As we approach the crumbling, abandoned building, my heart races like a wild drum in my chest. The eerie silhouette of the structure looms before us, its broken windows resembling dark, unblinking eyes. Despite the unsettling ambiance, my real fear lies not in what might be lurking within those walls but in the possibility of Chad discovering my location. Tonight, I plan to unravel all my secrets to him, a daunting task that sends a flutter of anxiety through me. I rub my palms together, feeling the cool air against my skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of my apprehension. Hendrick catches my gaze, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. “Don’t tell me you’re getting scared? Bella, you single-handedly subdued the four men who tried to kidnap you in Royal City,” he teases, his confidence radiating like a beacon. Though my stomach twists slightly, I can't help but quirk my lips at his words. “Well, I didn’t mean to kill them. I was just learning to harness my newfound p
Chad's POV I scrubbed my hands under the harsh stream of water, watching the crimson droplets swirl down the drain, remnants of a tense interrogation fading into nothingness. The North Natbians were attempting to breach our borders, and one of their spies had finally divulged unsettling information. They were on a mission to capture Bella, to deliver her to their king, and every one of them carried her picture, a haunting reminder of the stakes at play. Frustration boiled within me, and I slammed my fist against the wall, the sound echoing like thunder in the sterile room. The realization that he could hold Bella hostage, forcing my hand and sealing Kaladia's fate, ignited a fire of desperation in my chest. “Chad, I know you’re trying to protect Bella, but she needs to understand the peril she’s in,” Dane insisted, his expression taut with concern. "I will talk to her," I snapped, my voice rough with guilt. I hated the thought of burdening her with fear. I felt like I was failing
**Bella's POV** I rummage through the drawer for the fourth time, knowing I left Jasper's letter inside. However, the envelope containing my son’s sonogram is nowhere to be found. I hear Rose’s footsteps approaching, and I turn to face her. "Queen Luna, the team from Lynne Wayne has arrived for your final dress fitting!" Rose announces with enthusiasm. I glance at my Audemars Piguet Royal watch, a recent gift from Chad, and I remind myself that I am finally marrying him and claiming him as my own. Butterflies flutter in my stomach at the thought. "Thank you, Rose. I’ll be there in a few minutes. Make sure to inform the Lunas as well," I instruct firmly. Rose nods and exits. When I step into the spacious fitting room, my friends eagerly await me. "Bella, your dress is absolutely stunning! You definitely have to design my dress too!" Elise declares. “Of course I will,” I reply confidently as the assistant zips up my dress. The skirt sparkles with tiny diamonds, my shoulders bar
Chad's POV It had been weeks since I forced Jasper Holloway to go back to Riverbank's Pack with his mate and daughter. Bella stopped me from killing Jasper, just like I had been itching to do for a long time. Only Bella's intervention and the fact that he has a pup now saved him. Bella did not want a fatherless pup in her conscience. It had been the first time we had fought. I hated every minute of it. I stormed out of my office when Dane mindlinked me. Jasper Holloway had intercepted Bella outside the maternity hospital. She had accompanied Elise for her prenatal checkup. When Dane met them outside, Holloway was practically dragging Bella by the arm. I had given the order to throw him out of the city, and he dared to think he could take Bella away with him. I lost it when I got to the scene. "Get your filthy hands off of my mate!!" I snarled as I lunged at him, claws out and elongated teeth. Cobalt demanded blood, and I was going to deliver. I will paint the Palace's grounds wi
**Camilla's POV** I watched from the shadows as the Lycan roared furiously. That she-wolf, Sadie, had slapped the Princess. Sadie had played a key role in my plan, but I no longer needed her. I made sure her pup never made it out of the ICU. She had to pay for gloating when the Princess lost that wolf's spawn. That pup was born weak anyway, and it was her mother’s fault. She gave me her pup's blood from the womb to create the potion that killed the Princess's pup. It's a shame that the Princess, being too soft-hearted, cured the pup already. She will soon learn that kindness is futile. "Who hurt you?!" the Lycan asked her again, kissing her reddened cheek softly. Even though he touched her with care, I could sense his aura darkening. He was clearly furious yet treated her as if she were made of crystal. "I had a confrontation with Sadie..." The Lycan spun around and moved toward the exit, but the Princess held him back. "Chad is okay, really. I slapped her back." The Lycan seemed t
Bella's POV I passed by the common room on my way out. Elise and Grace were there. Grace looks so much better after giving her the amulet. She has even asked me to be her baby's godmother. Elise is a little bit farther along. I hope their babies can become friends in the future. Lira appeared as well, nursing her baby. "Are you heading out, Bella?" Lira asks. "I'm going to visit Saidie's baby at the hospital. I heard that she's not doing well." Elise stands up, with a protective hand on her belly. "Wait, you're not going alone. I don't like that woman!" She affirms, leaving no room for denial. Just then, Ace comes carrying Tessa, looking alarmed. "Her water broke!" He growls. "I'm fine. We just need to get to the hospital." Tessa tries to calm him down as he darts towards the exit. "I guess we're all going to the hospital," Lira says as she passes her baby to his nanny. "I will text Fort to let him know. I wish I had a mind link as well. " Grace sighs. Tessa i