Tyris’ POV“And you are?”“Serena, Serena my lord.” She answered seductively.My fingers met with her hair, it had a semblance of Denera’s. It probably was what caught my attention to her in the first place. The thoughts of Denera’s screams the previous night painted a vivid image in my head, making my anger boil more, and due to that, my grip on her hair hardened and she winced from the sudden change in my countenance. I should’ve been the one making Denera moan like that. “You know why you’re here, right?” I pressed on, forcing her head up so she could look at me. I watched the struggle in her eyes as her jaw tightened from the pain that came from pulling her hair down. “Yes my lord,” she whispered curtly. “And do you fully agree to this?” I pressed on with my questions even when I knew she had no say in it entirely.Even with my rage, I was still a gentleman and I would rather not disrespect another man’s property. Unlike my brother who doesn’t care about the consequences of h
DeneraThe maid stood silently as I ate, her presence both comforting and unnerving. I picked at the food, overwhelmed by the lavish spread in front of me.“Is there anything else you need?” I asked, breaking the silence.“No, my lady,” she replied, her tone respectful but firm. “I am here to assist you.”“Assist me?” I repeated, unsure of what that entailed.“Yes, I will be by your side from now on, to teach you our ways and to serve you,” she said. “I will only leave when the Alpha returns.”Her words surprised me. “And your name?”“Rachel,” she answered, a soft smile gracing her lips. “Shall we begin your day?”I nodded, still trying to adjust to this new life. Rachel led me to the bathroom, where she filled the tub with warm water, fragrant with herbs.As I sank into the water, I felt the tension in my muscles ease. Rachel began to wash my hair, her fingers gentle but firm.“You don’t have to do this, you know,” I said, feeling a twinge of guilt.“It’s my duty, my lady,” she replie
RockanI walked into the room, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of Denera. I waited all day just to see her once again. She was sitting on the couch, her posture stiff and her eyes flickering nervously around the room. It was obvious she was still afraid of me, and I couldn't blame her. My reputation precedes me, and the half-mask I wore on my face did nothing to soften my image. But I needed to try, to show her that I wasn't the monster she thought I was.Well, I was, but I didn’t plan to become one with her. “I’m still figuring out what that means.” She tensed up and I shook my head. I reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You will, in time.”She was quiet, still very stiff, and afraid of my presence. I sighed internally. This wasn't going to be easy. She had been on my mind all day, and I had to constantly remind myself that the softness I felt towards her was because of the mate bond we shared. But was it really just the bond? I wasn't sure anymore."Denera
Denera “Please, stop,” I pleaded, hugging my legs tighter to my chest. There was fire everywhere. Nothing made any sense and I could hear the screaming of children from a far distance. It wasn't safe to be here but my legs would not move. “Help,” I croaked. I was surrounded by trees and they were all covered in flames, I watched as some fell to the ground and whimpered when the hot scattered pieces met with my skin. “Mum, Dad,” I cried out to no one in particular. “Denera!”***I jolted upright in bed, my eyes flying open wide as my heart raced frantically. Drops of sweat covered my entire body, with some trickling down my face. The sudden sensation of fear left me confused and uneasy.A dream - another vivid, unsettling dream. But this one had felt different, in it, I called out to my parents. I never really knew my parents. A heaviness settled in my chest. They were a blank space in my life, a big hole that my subconscious mind seemed determined to try and fill, even if o
TyrisI lay still on the bed, my eyes staring blankly up at the ceiling. My mind had drifted far away from this room, my thoughts consumed by Denera.Denera. The mere thought of her filled me with a powerful longing to have her here in my arms. But she was out of my reach, belonging instead to my own brother. I found myself thinking back to the first time I had seen her, that moment when I had realized she was my true mate.If only I had spoken up and acted more quickly, I could have claimed her as mine before my brother had the chance. The whole kingdom would already know that Denera was meant to be with me. For just a brief moment, I even felt a twinge of blame towards myself. After all, it was because of my own persuasion that my brother had agreed to hold this mate-picking ceremony in the first place. That decision ultimately led to me losing Denera to him.I sighed heavily, my heart aching with the pain of this loss. Denera should be here with me, not with my brother. But the ch
Denera“Morning, little mate,” I was awoken by the most masculine morning voice anyone could ever imagine. I felt strands of my hair being pulled away from my neck. I gasped as I felt his warm lips press a soft kiss on my skin. My eyes flew open at the sensation, now fully alert.Shifting into a more comfortable position, I became very aware of Rockan's strong arms wrapped tightly around me, holding me close. The realization of our close embrace sent a shiver through me.Looking up at him, I smiled at my masked mate. His dark hair was nicely messy, making him look very handsome.A small smile was on his lips as he met my gaze. "Did you sleep well?" Rockan asked, his finger tracing a light path along my neck. The tender touch sent a pleasant shiver through me, the slight sting mixed with a pleasurable sensation.My hand instinctively flew to my neck, fingers tracing the sensitive, stinging spot where Rockan's teeth had sunk into my flesh. A shiver ran down my spine as the realization
BrunoShutting my eyes tightly, I quickly drank the rest of the strong, yellow liquid in the glass. The burning feeling as it went down my throat was calming, helping to settle the intense emotions inside my mind."More!" I demanded, my voice low and rough as I glared across the dimly lit bar at the bartender. The hazy, golden glow of the overhead lights cast dark shadows across the man's face, but I could still see the questioning raise of his eyebrow."Are you sure about that, Mr.?" he asked, keeping his tone neutral.The gesture only made me glare harder, my lips pulling back a little in a growl. "Are you questioning me?" I said, feeling angry at the perceived disrespect.The bartender held up his hands in a calming way. "I'm sorry, sir, but we have a strict rule about the maximum number of drinks a person can have at one time," he explained, his gaze briefly looking at the contents of my glass. "This drink has wolfsbane in it, you see, and it can be very...dangerous for a werewolf
DeneraTwo days had passed since Rockan marked me, and within that time, I found myself already getting used to the walls and layout of my new surroundings. While I didn't know every part of the castle, I had managed to learn the way out and the location of the big kitchen, thanks to the help of Rachel of course. She had been the only pack member I had talked to the most during these first few days.However, Rockan was hardly ever around, his time and attention taken up by his various duties as the Alpha king of different packs. He didn’t sleep in the same room with me last night either. As for Tyris, he had disappeared after the night he had found out about my... close experience with his brother. I honestly would not blame him for his pain and anger. He had announced that we were mates but the pull I felt towards Rockan was far much stronger than what I felt from any other person. Not even Bruno. The thought of Bruno crossed my mind, but I quickly shrugged it off. Where I stood
BrunoThe moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery light across the pack house as I paced my room, frustration boiling beneath the surface. I just settled into a restless state when a soft knock echoed through the door.“Bruno?” Freya’s voice drifted in, tentative but familiar.I clenched my jaw, irritation prickling at my skin. “What do you want, Freya?” “I need to talk to you,” she replied, her tone insistent. With a heavy sigh, I opened the door, bracing myself for yet another conversation that would lead nowhere. Freya stepped inside, her expression a mix of determination and something I couldn’t quite place. “Freya, it’s late,” I said, trying to sound more pissed than I felt. “You shouldn’t be here.”“I know,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “But I couldn’t wait.”I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and studied her. She looked different tonight—tense, almost fragile. “What is it?”Before she could respond, a familiar scent hit me—Denera’s scent, lingering o
FREYAAs I stepped back into the house, the familiar scent of wood and lingering dinner wafted through the air. My heart sank a little. The warmth of home felt suffocating tonight, like a heavy blanket draped over me. I closed the door quietly behind me, hoping to slip by unnoticed, but the moment I entered, my parents’ voices echoed from the living room.“Freya! There you are!” My mother’s voice cut through the stillness, sharp and demanding. I paused, taking a breath before turning to face them.“Where have you been?” my father asked, his brow furrowed with concern. “It’s late, and you know it’s not safe to be out alone.”“I was just… taking a walk,” I replied, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. “Needed some fresh air.”My mother’s gaze narrowed, as if she could see right through my facade. “You shouldn’t be wandering the night at this time. It’s dangerous, especially for a girl your age.”“I know, Mom,” I said, trying to sound more composed than I felt. “I’ll be careful
DENARA’S POV I had nowhere else to go now. The darkness enveloped me like a heavy blanket, and I could feel the chill of the night seeping into my bones. It was probably past midnight, a dangerous hour for anyone to be wandering alone, especially a woman. My heart raced with the thought of what could happen if I encountered the wrong person.But then a thought struck me like a beacon of hope. “The Smith’s bar,” I gasped, a wave of relief washing over me. It was always open through the night, a sanctuary amidst the chaos of my life.Mr. Smith had always been kind to me, a rare warmth in a world that often felt cold and unforgiving. He had given me shelter whenever my home became unbearable, always treating me like family. The memory of his reassuring smile filled me with a sense of safety as I quickened my pace, eager to reach the familiar haven.Each step felt both urgent and heavy, a mixture of gratitude and determination swirling within me. I could still hear Freya’s words echoin
DENARA’S POV “Denera,” I froze in my tracks, my breath catching in the back of my throat. My eyes widened as the reality of the situation hit me.Someone saw me.“Oh my goodness, it is you.” The voice was unmistakable, sending a chill down my spine. I turned slowly, hoping against hope that I was imagining things.“Freya,” I breathed, my heart racing as dread washed over me. A long pause stretched between us, her frown deepening as she struggled to comprehend my presence. At that moment, I felt exposed and vulnerable. The fear of being recognized and outed gripped me like a vice. “What’re you doing here?” she asked, suspicion lacing her words as her eyes roamed over me, assessing, searching for any sign of wrongdoing.She probably thought I had come to steal from them. The thought of that made my pulse quicken, and I stood frozen, my mind racing with the potential consequences. She might end up calling out to her parents, if Aunt Rosa and Uncle Austin found me here, I knew exactly
DENARA’S POV It was dark and cold. I should’ve worn thicker clothing. The chill seeped through the layers I had on, biting at my skin and making my teeth chatter as I navigated the familiar but haunting terrain toward my old pack. Each step felt heavier than the last, the weight of memories pressing down on me like a dense fog.“Why did I think this was a good idea?” I muttered to myself, trying to break the silence that surrounded me. The only response was the rustle of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl, a reminder that I was alone in this endeavor.After about an hour of walking, I finally spotted the outline of the cottage behind Aunt Rosa and Uncle Austin’s house. The place where I had spent so many years felt like a ghost now, a shadow of the life I once lived. I crouched low, moving quietly to avoid drawing attention to myself. “Just get in, grab your things, and get out,” I whispered, forcing myself to stay focused. I didn’t want to linger, didn’t want to remember the pa
ROCKAN’S POVI overreacted. I felt the weight of that realization pressing down on me like a heavy burden. Things spiraled out of control in my mind, and I lashed out. I didn’t mean what I said to her; deep down, I knew she loved me. Yet the anger simmered just beneath the surface, fueled by the unsettling thought that she could be using me. But who wouldn’t?Denera was maltreated by her own family, and when she finally found herself in a position of power, of course, she would seek revenge. It was only natural.“I messed up,” I groaned, running my hands through my hair, gripping it tightly as if I could physically pull myself back from the edge of despair. In an attempt to clear my mind, I took a walk out of the castle, but the night had already settled in, wrapping the world in a cloak of darkness. The cool breeze brushed against my skin, its crispness helping to ease the tension coiling within me. I took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air, but it did little to calm the storm
Denera’s POVHe hated me.They both hate me now. I wouldn’t blame Rockan for his anger; I used him. He loved me, but I deceived both him and myself. The weight of that realization crushed me, pressing down with an unbearable force. My world spiraled around me, a chaotic whirlpool of regret and despair. Tyris was right. I believed my world here with them would be rainbows and sunshine, a fairytale in real life but now, I was trapped in a nightmare of my own making.The truth struck me like a physical blow: I was a burden to them, to everyone. The walls of the castle felt like they were closing in, the air thick and suffocating. Each breath became a struggle as Tyris’s words replayed in my mind, echoing like a relentless drumbeat. “You’re nothing but a burden.” The anxiety twisted in my stomach, a knot of fear tightening with every thought. I could almost feel the stone walls pressing closer, as if they were conspiring to suffocate me. I needed to find Rockan, to apologize, to expla
TYRIS’ POVI heard it all—the dispute between my brother and Denera. At first, I was furious to know they were still together after he revealed that side of him. But as the reality sank in, I found myself lost in thought. It disgusted me to acknowledge that they were both in love with each other. This was the perfect opportunity to get a hold of her. Maybe this time, she would finally see that I was the only one who could handle her with care and understanding.“Denera,” I called out, and she immediately turned on her heels. Her mind seemed occupied, like a storm brewing behind her eyes, but when she caught sight of me, I noticed the shift in her demeanor—her posture stiffened, her expression closed off.It was annoying how she looked at me, like I was the last person she wanted to see.“Prince TYRIS,” she replied, her voice lacking warmth. She didn’t even bother to take a step closer.“What’s going on?” I questioned, feigning ignorance. “You seem troubled.”“I’m looking for Rockan,”
DENARA’S POVWe didn’t talk after the library incident. Rockan and I could barely even meet eye to eye. The weight of his earlier question hung heavily between us, an unspoken barrier that seemed to grow thicker with every second that passed. I felt the distance between us, an ache in my chest that I couldn’t shake off.The ceremony came to a close sooner than I anticipated, and the room began to empty as Alphas and their Lunas departed to their respective territories and packs. I watched them go, feeling a mix of relief and exhaustion. All I wanted was to retreat into the comfort of my room, away from the world and the weight of expectations. I stood in front of the mirror, practically glaring at my reflection. The day’s events played over in my mind, and I felt the frustration simmering just beneath the surface. Rachel was undoing the pins holding my hair up, letting the strands fall freely around my shoulders. The thought of a hot bath after a long day filled me with a sense of