Esme's POVEthan's lips stretched in a smile which quickly escalated to a full on laugh. It was beautiful, seeing him laugh like this. This is the first time I've seen him laugh freely and genuinely."The words that come out of your mouth can be so funny at times, you know that? I've told you before to get rid of that silly fantasy you have. I won't be able to love you and I don't need your love, it'll just be a burden. There is no happy ending for us, there never was and there never will be. You can keep holding on to that false belief for as long as you can but eventually, reality will come crashing down on you." He said and stood up to leave."Why do you do it?" I suddenly asked without thinking."Do what?" He asked back without looking at me."Why do you keep running away from me? You're always acting like I repulse you. Are you scared of me or something?" I inquired."Don't flatter yourself Esme, even an ant wouldn't be scared of you." He tried to brush me aside."Then why do y
"Please….. please stop this, I'm begging you. I don't want to lose it like this, please don't do this." I cried out and he suddenly paused.He stared at me straight in the eyes for a few minutes, as if searching for something before he finally sighed and got off of me.I sat up quickly and picked up the blanket, wrapping it around myself.I gazed at Ethan, his back was turned to me. "What the fuck was I just about to do?!" I heard him groan as he ran a hand through his hair.I don't even know what to make of any of this. Just now he seemed like he was a different person, almost like he was possessed but now he seems……repentant?"Is everything……" I tried to see if he was OK but he suddenly cut me off."Just get out please. Why won't you listen to me and stay away? Just now I almost did something we both would have regretted. Don't test me, just leave." He said and it almost sounded like he was pleading with me.Something seemed to have come over him before but he regained his self cont
Esme's POVI can't stop staring at the clock, time seems to be the slowest it has ever been. I can't tell why but I'm so excited for my one hour with Ethan. I'm excited but scared at the same time, my stomach is swirling around like a vortex and I can't even figure out why. Probably because today is the first day, this feeling should ease down in the next few days.I wonder what we're going to talk about. But come to think of it, why am I just sitting around waiting for him when I could be doing stuff to take my mind off of it?He never gave a certain time, he just said he would come to me when he was less busy and that could be anytime, even in the middle of the night. Why am I acting like a teen excited for her first date? I should really go do something, probably help Rachel out with some chores. But will I really be able to concentrate on anything? What if Ethan comes to my room and doesn't see me and then decides not to bother looking for me?"Calm down Esme. Geez, you'll get a
Esme's POVAlpha Theon and his entourage instantly approached us and I was surprised to see him give Ethan a hug."Ethan, it's been such a long time. You should visit more." He said."I would but you know that when duty calls, I barely have any spare time." Ethan replied."You've used that excuse way too many times but I understand that you're not a gregarious man. I deeply apologize for calling on you so suddenly, I hope you experienced no inconveniences during the trip." Alpha Theon inquired."It was certainly on short notice but there's really nothing I can't handle." Ethan said with a small smile while I just watched the exchange in awe.This is the most social I've ever seen him. Alpha Theon finally turned to me."And who is this lovely lady you have with you?" He asked politely."She's my ma…..my Luna." Ethan answered while I fought to hide my smile. He had just called me his Luna for the first time."Congratulations Ethan, I'm glad that you finally found your better half and s
Esme's POVNorn locked the door behind us and this got me slightly worried."Is everything OK?" I asked and she walked over to me and held me in a tight hug before breaking into tears."What's wrong? Did someone say something to you?" I asked and she sniffed before moving away from me and wiping her tears."I'm sorry for going berserk on you like that, I just couldn't help it." She apologized."It's not a problem, just please tell me what the problem is." I requested."This marriage that's about to happen is wrong. I'm being forced to marry Raiden." She disclosed."What? But why? I thought you would be getting married to your mate." I replied."I'm unfortunate enough to not be granted that privilege." She said dejectedly."Did he reject you?""No. He's dead. My mate is dead and he was killed by Raiden." Norn revealed and I gasped, trying to process everything I had just been told."The man you're about to marry killed your mate? You're going to have to explain this a bit more." I dema
Esme's POVI walked back to my room, determined to expose Raiden and finally bring the truth to light.Upon opening the door, I see that Ethan has just finished getting dressed."Where were you?" He asked as I got into the room and closed the door behind me."I was gone for only a short time, did you miss me?" I questioned back."Should have known talking to you is no different than talking to a log." He mumbled."I was with Norn, she was just showing me around. Besides, you went to have a bath so I figured you needed privacy." I explained and he sat on the sofa."If you have anything to talk about, say it now, you only have one hour of my time." He said and I smiled, realizing that he intends to keep his promise.I moved to sit next to him on the couch but he moved away from me, creating a good amount of space between us."Not so close. You only need your lips to do the talking." He said and I rolled my eyes. Now would be the perfect time to get some information on the royal family,
Esme's POVThis is probably the first time I've been a guest in a party and though it's exciting, it's equally terrifying.With Norn's ceremony just two days away, the atmosphere is festive but this doesn't give me much time.Alpha Theon is hosting a small party in honor of mine and Ethan's presence. It seems to be a blessing in disguise as I can finally talk to Raiden without seeming suspicious.The party's in full swing, everyone's enjoying themselves and Ethan is thankfully distracted as Alpha Theon engages him in conversation.Now is the perfect time to strike.I look for Raiden in the crowd - Norn thankfully gave a description and it's not long before I lay eyes on him.He's standing at the end of the room and having a drink while he observes everyone. This action of his definitely seems suspicious to me but like Ethan had said, he doesn't look suspicious at all. He rather looks harmless and seems to be watching all the movement around him, as if looking out for any signs of trou
Esme's POVI didn't get the chance to talk to Norn yesterday because of the party so I woke up really early today so I'd be able to talk to her before she becomes engulfed in the ceremony preparations.I took a bath, dressed up and left the room. Ethan was already awake but didn't bother questioning me about why I was awake and getting ready so early. I'm grateful for that since I won't have to come up with a lie so early in the morning.The hallway was slightly dark as the sun was still absent from the sky.I got to Norn's room and knocked on her door. It took a good amount of effort before the door finally opened to reveal a sleep ridden and disheveled Norn in front of me.Her hair was a mess but I didn't have time to worry about that."Esme?" She questioned but I went in and closed the door behind me before grabbing her hand and taking her with me to her bed so we could both take a seat."What's the matter? Is something wrong?" She questioned, finally beginning to snap out of her d
Esme's POV"Uh…. How do we get down? Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't recall there being a rope in the bag." I said."There isn't. There has to be some kind of way through it since there isn't a way around it. I'll take a look." He said and moved away and though I wanted to stop him, I resisted the urge."It's just as I thought." I suddenly heard him blurt out."Did you find something?" I asked as I made my way to the spot which he was crouched over."There's a rope ladder here. It's been set securely in place and seems to go all the way down." He mentioned it to me and I touched the ladder, confirming how sturdy it was. I didn't know if to consider this a good thing.A prepared ladder just sitting around waiting here for us might not be a good sign, I don't even know what we should expect."Who could have put it here?" I asked briskly."I don't know and I don't think we should be worrying about that at the moment. We'll have to get down and keep our guard up since there's so much
Esme's POV Tanika. Alpha Waylen. Nightwalker Pack. These words kept swirling in my head. The things she had just said, none of them made any sense. I have no business with Tanika and the Night Walker Pack. Besides, Tanika is dead, Ethan said he killed her himself. Even if she survived by some miracle, what on earth would she be doing in the Forbidden Zone? She couldn't possibly be the one standing in front of me, this has to be a trick. I need to get this girl, whoever she is to leave me alone and I have to find Axel so we can get out of this hole as soon as possible. "That's not possible, you're lying." I blurted. "Arlene, why would you say that?" She asked and tried to touch my face but I dodged her advances. "Don't call me that and stay away from me. I need to get out of here, I have to find Axel." I said and limped away, trying to go as far away as I could from her but her next words paused me in my tracks. "Don't you want to know the truth? The truth of your existence? Don
Esme's POV "Uh…. How do we get down? Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't recall there being a rope in the bag." I said. "There isn't. There has to be some kind of way through it since there isn't a way around it. I'll take a look." He said and moved away and though I wanted to stop him, I resisted the urge. "It's just as I thought." I suddenly heard him blurt out. "Did you find something?" I asked as I made my way to the spot which he was crouched over. "There's a rope ladder here. It's been set securely in place and seems to go all the way down." He mentioned it to me and I touched the ladder, confirming how sturdy it was. I didn't know if to consider this a good thing. A prepared ladder just sitting around waiting here for us might not be a good sign, I don't even know what we should expect. "Who could have put it here?" I asked briskly. "I don't know and I don't think we should be worrying about that at the moment. We'll have to get down and keep our guard up since there's s
Esme's POVA wonderful aroma tickled my senses, causing me to turn sideways but my eyes forced open when a sharp pain from my leg hit me.I groaned and tossed the blanket wrapped around me to the side before rising a bit, carefully sitting up. I feel really groggy and my body isn't even cooperating. I scratched at my eyes and yawned, stretching a bit. The delicious smell came again and I looked around to see Axel, he was sitting by the fire and seemed to be cooking something."You're finally awake, good morning." He greeted me with a smile while I replied accordingly."Good morning.""How do you feel?" He asked and I paused for a bit, trying to find the best way to describe how I felt."Honestly, I don't feel good at all. My leg still hurts, though not as bad as yesterday, it's painful but bearable. I feel tired, my throat's a bit dry and the nausea's back again. I feel bloated and my boobs hurt, they're swollen." I surmised."That's a good sign." He sighed."What?""You're only exper
Esme's POV"What?!" I blurted weakly."If I'm ever going to have a chance to finish the mission, I can't lose a leg. Please there has to be some other way." I pleaded, my eyes watering.The thought of my leg being cut off, coupled with the pain, wasn't something I wanted to imagine."There's only one other way I can think of but it's not guaranteed. If it doesn't work, the poison will still be able to get to your heart and kill you." He suggested"Just try it at least, please." I begged and he took a deep breath. He brought out a pair of pants and tore it into long strips before tying one very tightly at the start of the swelling and he did the same at the end, towards my foot."What are you going to do?" I couldn't help but ask. "I'm going to try to see if I can get the poison to flow out with your blood, that's why I tied up your leg, so it wouldn't be able to spread. I'll cut open the swelling and we can let the blood flow out. I'll cauterize the wound right after but it's going to
Esme's POVMy scream rented the air as soon as my eyes darted to the ground. Leafy vines had wrapped around my legs and were moving up my body fast.The vines moved smoothly on their own, surrounding my body and holding me tightly in place. What kind of plant is this? And how can it move so fluidly on its own? It seems to be intelligent as well, going for my legs first.Axel rushed over and his eyes widened when he saw my current dilemma."Esme!" He called out worriedly before pausing. He took a few steps back, creating a good distance between us.If he gets too close, the vines might ensnare him as well and we'll both be in trouble."Please stop struggling, these are carnivorous vines. If you move too much, it might try to harm you." He warned and I paused, my heart beating wildly in my chest.A leafy and thorn filled vine creeped over to me and wrapped around my body, shredding my clothes. Wait a minute, it seems like it's trying to gain access to my skin. After having escaped deat
Esme's POV "Wow. It's so phantasmagoric. Looking through this boundary, the Forbidden Zone seems so beautiful but it's the deadliest place in existence." Axel commented. "I agree with you completely, it's so beautiful but we have to be careful. You remember what Irma said, looks are often deceiving." I reminded him. I moved behind him and opened the backpack, placing the traveler's stone in it. "Let's go." I beckoned and we both walked through the boundary and into the Forbidden Zone. The place was massive, spanning for miles but also really beautiful with huge trees, clear skies and nice vegetation. The air felt cool and relaxing, the songs of beautiful birds filled the air and butterflies littered the place, flying around the low grasses. This place feels like it was created right out of a dream, it looks like paradise. "The view is awesome and I've never seen trees like these before, the flowers are pretty." I blurted. "Trees like these are rather rare, they grow naturally i
Esme's POV"What? What do you mean by that?" I asked, still not putting my knife away."I knew you were coming, long before you even came up with the plan. I wouldn't be a seer if I didn't know this, would I?" She asked softly.Damn it. I had royally underestimated this woman and I had completely forgotten the fact that she was clairvoyant.But if she knew I was coming, is it possible that this is a trap? Is that perhaps why Rachel had not reacted when Axel and I passed by? Does she already know as well? I wouldn't be surprised now if several guards burst through that door any minute.This is all just so hard to deal with."Cast your fears away, dear. Rachel doesn't know a thing." She said as if reading my mind."Why should I believe a single word you say? You're Rachel's friend after all. You could be trying to trick me." I countered."Yes, but I wouldn't gain anything from that, would I? By the time I arrived, I already knew the plans that Rachel had for you. I knew she was going to
Esme's POVI put on the guard's clothes and braided my hair into a ponytail before wrapping the braided part round and round in a circular pattern, holding it in place with a bobby pin and putting on a cap to cover it.I looked in the mirror and was satisfied with how I looked so I left."I'm done." I alerted and he paused to take a good look at me. I could see a smile stretching the edge of his lips."Is my disguise convincing enough or am I missing something?" I asked in a fret."No, you aren't missing anything. Your disguise is pretty convincing. I'm rather surprised how good you look even in men's clothes." He said and I didn't have time to decide if he was either flirting or just teasing."Alright, let's go." I urged and we both headed for the door. But I quickly made a stop at my bedside table to grab the fruit knife just in case I might really need it.He went out first and when he told me the coast was clear, I followed.He locked the door from the outside but left the key in