Calix’s POV. I plummeted into the water and missed a large rock by an inch. Expelling rings of bubbles, I searched the deep and saw her drifting away unconsciously toward the bottom. A few anxious strokes, I got to her, and realized she was bleeding from her head. Cursing under my breath, I propelled us to the top and broke out from the water. Taking a deep breath, I saw my men running down the cliff all shifted into their lycan forms and I glanced at the woman in my arms; I lifted her from the water and howled. I swam to the shore and tried to perform some resuscitation on her like I did the last time under the probing gaze of my men, but none of that seemed to work. My thoughts were all jumbled up even as I collected my cloak from Han, shredded out a part and used it as a bandage around her head. “My lord?.. My lord?” Han interrupted via the mind-link. “We need to get her to a physician in Tyr before it's too late.” He was right. I guess he figured out how much I wasn't
Leia’s POV. “...I won’t let history repeat itself. You’re not coming with us!” Calix’s words cut through my heart like a two-edged sword. I watched him take the men with him, and they left for the hamlet of Cathena, leaving me behind. Crying has never been my thing, but as soon as they left, I hurried to my room, screamed my heart out and lashed out on a few furniture. And then panting, I realized I can actually take up matters in my hands. My cousin, Calix, had instructed the few men left behind to keep an eye on me– but it is I who had my eyes on them few minutes later as I sneaked out of my room and tiptoed toward the underground of the castle. Unlike Calix who was only five years old when this castle and Tyr were attacked by Alpha Thane’s men and we were relocated to Nirian, I was ten years old. I know this castle better than him and the lycans he has assigned to keep watch over me. Panting, I glanced at the long passage at the two
Leia’s POV. Ripping out a large chunk of my cloak, I darted to the river and soaked it in the water. I ran back to him, dropped to my knees beside him and with trembling hands pressed the clothe against the gash on his chest. A raspy groan escaped his lips. His eyes fluttered open, those pools of liquid brown– they locked on mine and then they fluttered and he closed them again. I ran back to the river, washed the clothe and headed back to the forest. This time around, I cleaned up the wound on his shoulder but the wound which was obviously a bite wouldn’t stop bleeding. I applied pressure just as my searching eyes found some marigold plants. I hurried to them, plucked some and began to chew them and applied the poultice on his wounds, holding them up with strips of cloth from my cloak. And then my gaze fell on his member. Good grief! I didn't realize he was naked until now. I peeled off my cloak and covered him up. His skin was burning, and yet he shivered beneath my touch.
Leia’s POV. The speed at which he let go of me and jerked to his feet made my heart jitter. Of course, he was ‘the Randolph,’ Alpha Thane’s gamma, charged with the duty of protecting the Azalean princess. Jealousy coursed through my veins and I sucked it up in a breath as I watched him pick the cloak and wore it. “Princess Emily! Who’s she?” I pretended not knowing who that was. I watched as my mate inspected the bandage on his chest, and he settled his gaze on me. “She’s my alpha’s daughter, the next heir of Azalea,” he said. I gulped. “Is there anything going on between you two?” He gasped and what I’ll call a grimace flitted on his face. “No. She’s my alpha’s daughter. I was there the night she was born, already in my twenties. I watched her grow up. That will be the last thing to ever cross my mind.” Relief flooded through me and I sighed. He lowered himself to a squat in-front of me and smiled. “Was that jealousy you just exp
Calix’s POV. First of all, I am grateful she’s safe and back to the castle in one piece, but fury crashed through me at the thought of her disobeying me. She dared to wave it off and act as though she did nothing. “Calix!” she dipped in a curtsey. More than anything, I wanted to grab her and hurl across the room for her act of insubordination, but I was exhausted after hours of staying awake and watching after my unconscious mate. “I– I was worried about you and the men,” she defended, her voice incredibly low. “I’m sorry.” Jerking to my feet, I was about to pronounce her punishment when the door flung open and Han walked into the room “My lord, there’s something I must show you,” he said. Tension pirouetted in the air, every nerve in my body wrung from curiosity as my gaze traveled from my cousin to my beta. “After you,” I said. With one last glare at my cousin, I moved and strode after my beta, footsteps echoed behind me and I knew it
Emily’s POV. In an endless, boundless, thick veil of darkness, I soared. Time didn't exist here, everything stood at a standstill. I floated, weightless, thoughtless, with no idea of where I was– Am I dead? And then my lashes fluttered open and I welcomed the sharp rays of an afternoon sun. A groan seeped out of my lips. Where am I? What happened to me? My throat was as dry as the desert and my vision was blurry. I shut my eyes again and when I reopened them, the room I was in blurred into focus. High stoned walls, a massive arched window, inset with diamond-shaped panes of leaded glass from which rays of the sunlight oozed, a wooden polished shelf on which stood vases of dried flowers, a mortar and pestle, forceps, scalpel, bone saw, hooks, and needles. There was a side stool just close to the small bed I’d woken in, and there were two other empty beds. The room had the faint scents of beeswax, herbs, and the lingering smoke from the hearth. Slowly, I tried to sit up an
Calix’s POV. The desire to rip off my clothes and shift into my lycanthrope rippled through me as I strode out of the sick bay and shut the door after me. Gnashing my teeth, I leaned on the door and growled. I can’t believe I just kissed my enemy’s daughter, the one person I’d vowed to destroy. Dragging a breath, I signaled at the guards stationed at the door and while they locked it, I strode out of the hallway, hurried down the stairs, and soon hit the foyer. Proceeding to the terrace, I took a deep breath wishing I could flush out the intoxicating scent of her which seemed to follow me wherever I went. Sulking under my breath, I proceeded to the royal garden, to one of the white wooden benches, and sat. Fvck! How did I get to this point? All I wanted was to come back to Tyr, spend some time with my people, take revenge on the alpha who destroyed my home, and then go back to Nirian. Never did I see this coming, that I’d end up desiring; not in the littlest bit; the daug
Calix’s POV. A mixture of shock and fear ballooned inside me as I took in the broken earthenwares, the flipped-over mattresses, and the torn bedsheets scattered about the place. My gaze traveled over the droplets of blood on the floor, and the incoherent writings on the wall. But none of these bothered me as the sight of my mate hurdled in a corner laughing at herself, her hair was disheveled, and her hands streaked with blood and grime as she clutched a knife. “By the stars and shadows! Somebody stop her!” Mr. Westley clamored. My lungs struggled for air, my heart pounding in uneven, frantic beats as Han and the guards behind me scooted forward and soon, were upon her. They wrestled with her, wrung the knife from her hands, and pinned her to the floor. “Quick! Get some chains and keep her restrained before she harms someone!” Mr. Westley clamored again. Words failed me. I watched as Han hurried out of the room and my gaze was back on my mate– this wasn’t the girl I kissed so
Emily’s POV.Three years later...“...ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen,” Calix counted with his eyes closed and the pups wouldn’t stop giggling as they scurried about the castle’s garden in search of the best spots to hide.The afternoon sun bathed the castle in its warm light. The trees were perfect green and sparkled with leftover dew from the morning. The sky was blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds that drifted lazily in the gentle breeze.Leia and I were seated on a plush picnic blanket, beneath the shade of a grand willow tree. We watched the game unfold with amused smiles.My ladies-in-waiting—Brielle, Laura, and Adalyn were arranging refreshments on a low table in a corner; pouring tea and engaging in quiet chatter.Rowan, the eldest of my triplets, laughed as he hid behind the water fountain. Caius his brother, crouched behind a thick rosebush near the garden’s stone pathway. Aurora, my only daughter, found one of the most creative hiding spots, slipping beneath the desse
Emily’s POV. Few months later... Leia’s anguished cries shattered the stillness of Nirian Castle. Brielle, Laura, and Adalyn, now my ladies-in-waiting, ran around in the room, seeing to it that everything was in order to receive the baby—several staff members stood by, ready to assist. I sat on the bed with Leia, gently massaging her shoulders as she endured the throes of labor. “What's happening?” I asked the midwife. “Why is it taking so long?” “Everything is fine, Your Majesty. The baby has just crowned.” I might not be conversant with all medical terms, but ever since I discovered I was pregnant, I have read extensively. Crowning meant the baby’s head had appeared at the mother’s opening prior to emerging. I turned to my mate’s cousin and massaged her back. “You’re doing great, Leia!” I encouraged. “You’re almost there.” She let out deep huffs and, with another cry, pushed… A tiny feeble cry of a baby filled the room. The newborn squirmed, covered in blood
“Calix!” I cried. He sucked my n,pple, licking, nipping so gently that I forgot how to breathe. I arched my torso towards him, willing him to take more. His lips curved into a satisfied smile before running a tongue on my entire bre,sts. Calix expertly dragged his tongue to my other brea,st and enclosed my ni,pple with his mouth. Reopening my eyes, I moaned as the sensation of his tongue engulfed me. He was sucking me, biting me, teasing me in a way that made my core throb for him. “Calix, please!” I begged. “Yes, bella. What do you want?” “I need you,” I blurted. With one last tease, Calix straightened, his eyes utterly darkened with need. His gaze locked on mine, he grabbed his member and guided himself to my entrance. “You’re so wet and ready for me,” he said, searching my gaze. I moaned as he flicked his rod at my entrance before pressing forward. I gasped and gripped his shoulder for support. Each time he pressed inside, I huffed because it felt as though my
Emily’s POV. We arrived at the royal garden and Calix gently lowered me back to my feet. Something tells me this wasn’t our destination, but when I glanced at Calix, he was removing his clothes. A flush crept up my neck, my skin prickling with anticipation. Ever since the night Calix and I marked ourselves, we hadn’t made love. “Let me guess, we’re going to be making love in the open air tonight?” I asked. Calix, who was already bare-torsoed, nodded and also twitched his eyebrows as though undecided, before proceeding to remove his boots and then trousers. In a moment, he stood stark-naked before and my poor breath hitched in a way it has never before as I stared down at the strength coiled at his groin. Calix smirked. “I was thinking it was high time I introduced you to my lycanthrope.” “Gabriel?” He nodded. “Are you ready?” My heart thumped with excitement. I smiled. “Yes, I am.” Calix threw back his head and a guttural growl escaped him. His ears elongated, ja
Emily’s POV. “Are you ready?” my father asked through our mind link. “Yes, I am,” I replied him. A pang of nervousness curled in my stomach as we entered the Sacred Moonlit Court and took our first step down the aisle. But then, I looked at the ceremonial arch and my gaze locked with Calix’s. His gaze softened, and he offered me a reassuring, very charming smile. My heart melted. I broke into a grin just as every chain of anxiety shattered. I scanned the gathering. Standing to my right were Elara and her parents. Calix had invited them after officially introducing us to each other three days ago. Elara smiled and gave me a small nod. My father and I approached the altar. My gaze settled on the Tyrese council members, they stood in the front rows of the court towards my left. Their eyes were wide with intrigue as they studied my father—the alpha who’d haunted them for years. Of course, that was before Calix entered the scene. And to my right, the Nirian parliament st
Emily’s POV. Five Days later.... The courtyard bustled from the arrival of guests. They moved in groups, their laughter and camaraderie weaving through the evening atmosphere. Inside the royal dressing room, Brielle and the handmaidens, and the royal stylist worked harmoniously to get me ready for my big day. A knock rapped on the door and Leia walked into the room. She was already dressed for the occasion, styled in a sleeveless dark blue gown. It hugged her form elegantly. Her hair was styled into a crown halo, making her look every bit the noblewoman she was. “You look absolutely breathtaking, My Lady. Goddess above! You were born for this,” Leia purred as she crossed the room and joined me before the tall mirror. “Hello, Lady Leia,” I greeted, taking in her radiant appearance. “You look absolutely fabulous.” “In this?” she asked, teasingly lifting the hem of her gown. “Are you sure?” “Yes,” I affirmed. She grinned. “Randolph chose everything himself—the dres
Calix’s POV. “Land ho!” the lookout man hollered from the crow’s nest. I lifted my spyglass and gazed at the island ahead—Azalea, my mate’s country. Han stood beside me at the bow of the royal ship, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “Are you certain about this?” he asked. I wasn’t certain about this mission. I wasn’t sure if this trip was a good or bad idea. But one thing was sure after my mate brought me back to consciousness last night—I wanted to make things right. I wanted to smoothen all paths and strengthen every relationship between friends and family. Whether I liked it or not, Alpha Thane was family since I was going to be officially starting a family with his daughter. Perhaps, an absolution for him—a second chance to mend the past. “Yes, Han. It’s time to put the past behind us,” I replied, lowering the spyglass and glancing at him. “Don’t you think he deserves a second chance?” Han’s jaw tightened. “Alpha Thane…I don’t trust him,” he puffed. I inhaled deeply
Emily’s POV. The royal seamstress circled me for the umpteenth time as she put the finishing touches to my gown. Not just any gown, but ‘D gown’ for my Luna ceremony, slated to take place in five days. Calix announced the date for the ceremony during dinner last night. About last night— Well, last night was incredible. Calix had carried me into the washroom, gently lowered me back to my feet, and prepared our bathwater. A slight shiver did course down my spine upon realizing that it was going to be our first bath together. After preparing the bathwater, Calix peeled off his clothes and bless my eyes! My hungry gaze had drifted lower, following his hands as he peeled off his breeches and tossed it in the laundry basket. My breath lodged in my throat as I took in the strength coiled between his thighs. A sardonic smile lit up his face as he caught me looking. “You know, if you wanted a better view, you just had to ask, bella,” he said, and heat rushed to my face. I immedi
Calix’s POV. I was trapped in the abyss, wandering the desolate land when suddenly a bright light appeared above in the sky—the same bright light that had swallowed my mate up moments ago. It’s true, the spiritual controls the physical. Happiness shimmered inside me upon beholding the light, especially as I glanced down at my wounds and noticed them healing at an insanely fast pace. “Calix.” I heard it, my mate’s soft, sweet voice beckoning me. The bright white light swallowed me whole, and my soul swirled back into my body. I jerked and relaxed under the touch of a familiar palm on my forehead. Her scent wrapped around me—that intoxicating scent of lavender and myrrh. My lashes fluttered open, and the world blurred to focus. “Calix!” Leia gasped in the background. “Calix! You’re awake!” she cried. My gaze landed on my mate, just as she staggered. I caught her wrist and held her in place. A faint smile spread on my lips, a feeling of completeness washing over me. “Hell