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Bella's POV Arona waited until the round of applause died. She looked confident. Her aura was at maximum potency, enveloping every single member of the audience. She wanted them to feel her power. On her exquisite red strapless 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 estranged 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 Ferragamo 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 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. '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 dared to growl when I kissed her on her wrist. I lifted her arm high as she was so much smaller than I was, 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." My gorgeous Luna bega
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 felt 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 in 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 favored me by a lot. Chad squeezed my arm lightly and kissed my temple. Ferragamo 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 metallic-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 publi
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 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 from 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
Bella's POV When I opened my eyes and saw Chad's perfectly sculpted face, I smiled. It was real. It hadn't been a dream. Chad had spent the whole night with me, worshipping my body through the night. But now he is talking about secrets. Is it possible he knows I'm still hiding things from him? I need to tell Chad everything about me, about my ring and how it channels my powers. If he finds out on his own, he might think I don't trust him, and then he's not going to trust me either. No, I wouldn't be able to withstand it. I need to tell him everything. "Chad, I need to tell you something." His intense golden eyes bored into mine. They possess a magnetic pull that never fails to entrap me. 'Wait, Bella, remember what Father said. Don't tell anyone about your powers.' Anaisha spoke with urgency. I felt torn. I trust Chad, but until I really understand my powers and where they come from, I will tell him just some part of the truth. "Is something bothering you, my queen?" He tilted
Chad's POV I rubbed my hand across my face, still unsure of what to do. How could this be happening? It felt way too soon. Did that mean my time was limited as well? There was a possibility. The thing is, I had only consumed wolfsbane yesterday because Cobalt wasn’t acting like himself. I thought of Bella, and my heart sank. If something happened to her, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. I went into my office and called the number back. He answered on the first ring. "Dr. Strauss, where is he now? What do you mean you don't know!" I boomed. That's seriously irresponsible on your part. He knows better not to show himself here before the full moon." "My king, he threatened me. I had to let him go, but he was being himself rest assured. He wouldn't do anything stupid." Dr. Strauss' voice trembled over the phone. "He better won't, or I will hold you responsible. Come back to the palace and be ready for anything." I ordered him and hung up. My brother Hendrick has regained
Bella's POV I changed into a pair of jeans with an off-the-shoulder sweater. My belly has started to show more, but I don't want my pregnancy to gain attention during the competition. I use my ring to conceal my bump. I look at the mirror, and the illusion of a flat stomach reflects on the mirror. I rub my little bump tenderly. "It's just while we're done with the competition, little one." I head towards the restaurant that's inside the Palace's grounds. Elise was going to meet me there after she had put Peggy down for a nap. Tessa and Lira were already there. The Royal City was bustling with people from all over the country. They were here for the competition. Bryan took me all the way to my table where Tessa and Lira were waving at me. "Thanks, Bryan. I will be fine here with them. I'll call you when I'm done." He nodded and went outside. There are guards everywhere inside the restaurant. "Bella, you're glowing. The king is treating you well!" Tessa said. I laughed, but I n
Chad's POV The day I was going to tell Bella the truth, Cobalt became even more erratic. I drank some Wolfsbane, but still, it would be impossible for my closest people not to notice that something was wrong with me. I went to the palace's secret chambers, almost stumbling on my feet. I went through secret passages, opening secret doors. I went down deep below the ground. I managed to call Dr. Strauss, and he made his way inside the palace from our hidden entrance in the forest. "My King!!" Dr. Strauss hurried to my side. I sat on the iron chair as Dr. Strauss chained me with silver chains. A guttural growl tore from my throat. Cobalt was fighting for control, but Dr. Strauss injected me with more wolfsbane intravenously. "Where's Hendrick!!" I asked between pants. The pain caused by the silver chains combined with the wolfsbane was excruciating. "He is on his way, my king. He has started to become more lucid a few days before the full moon, and he has been exploring the tow
An uneasiness creeps into my gut as I tug at my shirt's collar for the umpteenth time. Dane looks at me, and knowing me too well, he senses something is wrong with me. "Don't tell me you're nervous. This is just the legal union. She's been yours since the moment you saw her at that cavern." He pad
"I'm just glad you liked them," I said with a smile. We continued getting ready, and the room filled with laughter and warmth. They were ready before me when Elise suddenly said she was getting contractions. "Oh no, no, no! Baby, not today. Today is your aunty Bella's big day!" Elise whimpered.
Bella's POV I wake up from a long sleep, sitting up abruptly. “Chad!” I exclaim. He stirs beside me and wraps his arms around my waist. “Today is the wedding! I have so many things to do!” He simply tightens his hold. “Come back to bed, ma chérie,” he says in that husky voice that always makes m
Hudson's POV Arona flinches as I throw another crystal vase against the wall. Since my return, she has not been any help. I can see her struggling to hold back the urge to say, "I told you so," but she knows better than to provoke me when I'm in this fucking mood. Camilla glances at me and sighs.
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.
**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
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. N
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 wit
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 and 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