Denera “Good morning,” I muttered as we both started to have a hot cup of coffee. Almost a perfect fairytale. It was all calm and peaceful for a while until my eyes snapped open from the sudden commotion. The castle was in a state of frenzied activity, maids and workers scurrying about, the air thick with an anxious energy. Rockan and I exchanged a puzzled glance, unsure of what was really happening until a sudden realization dawned on him as his eyes grew wider. "Shit, shit, shit!" he exclaimed, abruptly rising from his seat in the kitchen and grasping my hand, pulling me along. “I totally forgot!”I stumbled after him, confusion and worry etching across my features. "What is going on? Are we under attack?" I asked, my voice laced with nervous curiosity.Rockan seemed laser-focused, his pace quickening as he led me back to our room. Rachel, the ever-faithful maid, trailed behind us, her expression, one of understanding. She too knew what was happening. "Get her dressed. It must b
DeneraWho was Lena and why did this woman believe I looked like her? The question repeatedly tugged my mind. Rockan and his grandfather had disregarded her speculations, concluding that I looked nothing like the woman I was referring to. So with this, I chose to shrug the thought out of mind. It had been over thirty minutes since they arrived and we were finally at the dining room, ready for our meal. Being the traditional woman I assumed she’d be, Granny Yeneva blessed the meal. “Pause,” she blurted out before we could dig in. “I almost forgot. Where is my other grandson?”I froze in my spot, realizing that they probably had no idea of the dilemma going on within the castle walls. “I don’t know. He chose to be absent these few days,” Rockan shrugged nonchalantly but I noticed he didn’t dare put the food in his mouth after Granny Yeneva’s decree. “What?” Both grandparents chorused, I could see the anger begin to arouse from their expression and reaction to the answer Rockan gave.
Denera "Grandma!" The shouts echoed through the dining room, immediately drawing everyone's attention. Granny Yeneva's face lit up with a joyous smile as she recognized the young boy and girl rushing toward her. "Oh, Daniel and Daniella!" she exclaimed, practically leaping out of her chair to embrace the children.The boy, whom I recognized as Daniel, and the girl, Daniella who has a striking resemblance to him, making her his apparent twin sister, were breathless from their hasty entrance. Granny Yeneva enveloped them both in a warm hug, her eyes shining with love and relief."My darling grandchildren, I've missed you so!" she cooed, smoothing their hair and inspecting them with a doting gaze. "Look at how much you've grown!"Grandpa Jordan, seated at the head of the table, rose from his chair and strode over to the joyful reunion. A broad smile spread across his weathered face as he joined in the family embrace."There you are, my little rascals!" he chuckled, ruffling the childre
Denera It was another day spent in this castle, time was moving fast.I turned on my bed, excitedly hoping to meet with Rockan, as I remembered clearly that he fell asleep beside me last night. However, as I scanned the empty space next to me, a pang of disappointment washed over me. Memories of the previous day's events came flooding back. Prince Tyris and Rockan had engaged in another aggressive conversation, and it was all because of me. They had clashed over Rockan's decision to claim and mark me as his own, despite the fact that I was also mated to prince Tyris. The intensity of their argument had left me feeling caught in the middle, torn between the two men who cared for me.I believed Prince Tyris' plight was because I was not given a chance to choose from one of them. Anyone would have chosen prince Tyris at first glance over alpha Rockan. As I reflected on the situation, I couldn't help but wonder how my life would have been if I had chosen prince Tyris over Rockan. Princ
Denera “Rise and shine Denera!”My eyes snapped open and I jerked up awake from the abrupt sound. The door to my room had flung open and I stared cluelessly as Granny Yeneva waltzed in. Granny Yeneva swept into the room, her long skirts swishing behind her. "My dear! Today is a big day for you."I blinked sleepily, still trying to adjust to the sudden intrusion. "Granny Yeneva? Good morning… What's going on?"She clucked her tongue. "Well, it's time for your first lesson in royal etiquette, of course! You didn't think you could just waltz around the castle in your nightgown, did you?" She eyed my simple cotton shift with a disapproving frown.I remembered Rockan telling me about her lessons earlier this morning. I didn't know I fell back asleep. He left the room and I took a bath to clear my head but eventually slept again. I wondered what time it was. Just then, Rachal hurried in, a bundle of fabric in her arms. "Forgive me, my lady, I should have been here sooner," she fretted,
DeneraI slumped on the bed, Rachel quietly stood beside the bed as she watched. She had the most relaxed smile on her face and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.For one old enough to birth me, she acted like a child sometimes."You did well today Lady Denera," she chuckled and I groaned aloud."You're enjoying this, aren't you?" I sighed and she nodded as her chuckles got louder."I know you must be starving so I placed your food on the work table," she announced and I had to look at her in awe."Thank you so much," I said genuinely as I hurried off to the table. It was toast and a cup of hot cocoa.I started to munch on the food hungrily, remembering how I had to mind how much I consumed because of the corset I would have to wear.My belly almost did a flip, knowing I had to repeat the same process again tomorrow."My Lady, slow down," Rachel was almost laughing but I could hear composure in her voice."I'll be fine," I shrugged."I need to ask for a favor," she added, making me pau
DeneraMy head banged heavily as I stared blankly at the ceiling. I felt so weak last night that I slept off and did not even notice Rockan’s arrival. It was a new day again and like it was a routine, Rockan was already in the shower before the sun even rose. He explained he had to meet with the alpha of the Blue Moon pack to negotiate on how to atone for the attacker’s actions. I was still sleepy when he mentioned it to me this morning but I understood what he was talking about. How and why I felt so weak even after a long night of sleep was still a mystery. However, I couldn’t afford to let Rockan know about it. I had an idea of things he could do if he figured I fell sick. “Maybe it’s the stress from yesterday,” I muttered to myself. As Rockan stepped out of the shower, his muscular frame glistening with water droplets, I found myself stealing glances, despite the pounding headache that had been plaguing me since I woke up. His actions seemed almost deliberate, the way he move
RockanI didn’t like the suggestion of bringing in a healer. We still had zero idea of what was wrong with Denera, and things had taken a drastic turn in a matter of minutes. She lay unconscious, her breath shallow, her face pale. I couldn't bear seeing her like this. My mind raced with worst-case scenarios, and I felt utterly powerless.Impatiently, I paced back and forth in the hallway outside her room. Every few steps, I would glance at the door, hoping for some miracle. Then minutes stretched into what felt like hours, each one a reminder of how helpless I was. The problem wasn't just that I didn't trust healers. I had a history with them, a history that had left me scarred in more ways than one. My face bore a mark that numerous healers had tried and failed to remove. Each failure had only deepened my resentment. Even my mother had lost her life trying to heal me completely. Her death had been the final straw, and I had given up on the hope of ever being whole again.And then t
BrunoExcitement was an understatement for what I felt at the moment. My heart raced at the thought of setting eyes on Denera once again. The anticipation was almost overwhelming, and yet, it was tinged with frustration. I could hardly believe I was still stuck in this room, trapped in a whirlwind of fabric and chatter as the maids fussed over me.“Can you please hurry?” I snapped, glancing at the clock on the wall. The hands seemed to mock me, ticking away the precious minutes I could be spending preparing to see her. The maids exchanged hurried glances, their nimble fingers working diligently as they laid out a selection of outfits before me. “Just a moment, my lord!” one of them called, her voice laced with urgency as she adjusted the collar of a crisp shirt. I let out an exasperated sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I don’t understand why it takes so long! I need to be ready now!” The words spilled out, sharper than I intended, but I couldn’t help it. My mind was eager to
Denera“Your Highness,” a voice called softly, pulling me from the depths of sleep. My brows furrowed in concern, but I chose to ignore the words, hoping to drift back into my dreams. A knock on the door followed, and I groaned, forcing myself to open my eyes. “Come in,” I muttered, my voice thick with sleep.The door creaked open, and Rachel hurried inside, flanked by two other maids. My eyes widened slightly at the sight of them. “What’s going on?” I asked, my voice still heavy with drowsiness.“I can’t honestly believe you’re still in bed on a day like this,” Rachel said, her tone a mix of disbelief and urgency. She moved around the room with purpose, her hands gesturing for the other maids to follow her lead.“What do you mean by that?” I questioned, watching as they began to scurry around the room, arranging things I was yet to comprehend.Rachel turned to me, raising an eyebrow. “What are they doing?” I pointed at the other maids, who were now pulling back the curtains, letting
DeneraHe was in my arms, and it felt both surreal and grounding. This was the first time I had seen Rockan so vulnerable—raw and exposed, stripped of the mask he usually wore to shield himself from the world. The sight of him like this stirred a mix of emotions within me, and my dislike for Tyris deepened. How could he force Rockan to reveal himself in such a painful way? It felt cruel, a betrayal of the trust Rockan had placed in those closest to him.But right now, I was grateful he was here, in my embrace. For the first time, it felt like I was the one keeping him safe, the one who could shield him from the harsh realities that had shaped his life. “It’s okay,” I whispered softly, hoping my voice would be a soothing balm in the tense silence.As I looked at him, the scar that brutally marred his face caught my attention. It was a stark reminder of the things he went through, both physically and emotionally. Anyone with such a mark would typically be forced to wear a mask, hidin
Rockan“Leave,” Tyris left, making the tension even worse. She hated me. Her gaze fell to the ground, and I could see the conflict churning in her heart. “I didn’t mean to—” she began, but her voice faltered, leaving the words unspoken. I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, a wave of despair crashing over me. This wasn’t how I had envisioned this moment. I had wanted to show her my true self, to share my burdens and my past, but now I feared I had only pushed her away.“Do you… do you regret it?” I asked, my voice breaking as the question hung heavy in the air. The vulnerability I had sought to embrace now felt like a curse, leaving me exposed and raw.Denera lifted her gaze, and I could see the struggle in her expression, the way her heart fought against the fear. “No,” she finally said, her voice shaking. “I knew but I didn’t want it to be like this. This tension.”I nodded, my heart aching with the weight of her words. “I understand,” I whispered, feeling the gulf betwe
Rockan “How in the world do you fall in love with someone you haven’t even seen?!” Tyris yelled, his voice piercing through the quiet of the corridor.“Tyris!” I snapped, stepping out from the shadows where I had been hiding, my heart pounding with a mix of anger and disbelief.“Great, speak of the devil,” he shot back, rolling his eyes as if my presence was nothing more than a nuisance.“What do you think you’re doing?” I glared at him, my fists clenching at my sides. The tension crackled in the air between us, thick and suffocating. Instead of backing down, he merely scoffed, his arrogance pushing me closer to the edge.“I’m trying to open her eyes to what she doesn’t see and understand,” he retorted, his tone condescending. “I know you, brother, better than anyone else. Let this girl go. Drop the stupid ego of yours.”His words ignited a fire within me, fueling my anger. “I thought you came back with a change of heart. What in the world are you talking about now?” I frowned, strug
RockanHours had passed, and I found myself once again drowning in paperwork that demanded my immediate attention. The desk was cluttered with files, each stamped with the weight of responsibility and pressing urgency. Every pack, every territorial dispute, each one requiring my approval before a conclusion could be reached. The sheer volume felt suffocating, a mountain of bureaucracy that threatened to overwhelm me.I rubbed my eyes, fatigue creeping in like a slow tide. Each page was a reminder of the burdens I carried, and the stress began to knot in my stomach. I leaned back in my chair, glancing at the stack of documents that seemed to multiply with every passing hour. The ink blurred before my eyes, and I could feel the tension pooling in my shoulders, a tight band that constricted with every moment spent poring over the files.Another dispute over hunting grounds. Another request for more territory. A pack claiming grievances over boundary violations. I sighed, flipping throu
Denera “Did you miss me that much?” Tyris smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. A part of me was glad to see him back home, but something about his presence right now did not settle well with me. I could see the unease mirrored in Rockan’s expression, his brow furrowed as he studied his brother.“What are you doing here, in our room?” Rockan asked, his voice steady but laced with an underlying tension. I hoped he wouldn’t choose this moment to be mischievous; we had enough on our plates without adding sibling drama.Tyris shrugged nonchalantly, strolling back and forth in our small space, his movements almost too relaxed for the gravity of the situation. “You know, Rockan, I looked up to you as my older brother,” he said, his tone mocking. “I thought you’d have a bit more sense of responsibility than to take what’s mine.”It was too early upon our arrival to have any form of argument with him. I felt a wave of frustration wash over me, wishing he would just take his lea
Denera“Over there!” I heard a man yell, and my heart plummeted.“Mum,” I whispered out in desperation, hoping she’d come back to me. I clutched my legs tighter around my waist, hoping this nightmare would end, wishing we could go back to the peaceful drive, the laughter, and the warmth of my family. But then, everything froze when I heard my mother cry out. “Rosa, please, no!”…..My eyes snapped open, gasping awake as I blinked profusely, the remnants of the nightmare still clinging to me like a thick fog. We were still in the car, with Rockan quietly staring ahead, the tension in the air palpable.“Are you good?” he questioned, not bothering to turn to look at me.“Yeah,” I replied with a nod, though I lied. I wasn’t good—not at all.The dream was a stark reminder of the darkness in my life, the shadows cast by Aunt Rosa and her husband, Austin. They had twisted my reality into something unrecognisable, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. I felt the familiar anger ris
Denera“Do you have to go?” Luna Danielle questioned, her voice tinged with a mix of concern and warmth. “You can stay a little longer and learn more.”I smiled at her, appreciating her kindness. “I will visit very often. But you know we have things to settle,” I admitted, my thoughts drifting to the responsibilities waiting for us back home.Rockan was way ahead of me, ensuring our luggage was packed and ready to go. His broad shoulders moved with purpose, and I could see the determination etched on his face. But as I watched him, a frown appeared on my forehead when I realized we were missing something.“Wait!” I heard from afar, making Luna Danielle and I turn toward the sound. A sigh escaped my mouth when I realized that the one thing I was missing was her—Adrianna.She was running toward us, her long hair flowing behind her, holding a brown bag in her hand. My stomach twisted at the thought of her being with us throughout the ride; the idea was almost too disgusting to be true.