Amadeus' Point of ViewWe were all crowded into the kitchen. To hold a meeting in the dining room felt too formal for all of our liking. Thus, Farren had insisted we talk over some toast, eggs, and coffee. Which was abnormal, seeing as it felt like just another morning when in reality our mate was being held in a dungeon and the moment Reginald became the king, she was fucked.But eggs and toast were made by Lysander. Coffee by Priamos. Zaven and Kallik just stared at all of us. Tried to get a good reading on the dynamic of the group. Little did they know there was no dynamic to speak of. We all barely knew each other and now we had to work together.The only person who tied us all was rotting in prison beneath a palace. Although, the two of them seemed more like lovers today than friends. Unlike yesterday, they had kept their distance from each other. Spoke only when the other was done talking. Now, they spoke over one another. Finished each other's sentences. Clung to each other's
Lysander's Point of ViewPrevious NightWe had rushed to the other side of town. Shred through alleyways and discarded footpaths just to get home. Alastair was close on my heels. Made sure to give me enough room to lead him to my house. From his yips, he wanted me to go faster. Drive myself to the brink and then back.Several thousand horrid thoughts crowded inside my mind. Mom being killed. Isaac being tortured. My father's body dumped in the nearby ocean. It was all-consuming until I couldn't feel my lungs anymore. They had started burning a while back but became dull now. The city came at us with a ferocity. Tall buildings flew by. Yet it all seemed too slow. To achingly slow to even be comprehended. For years, they had been all I knew. The loves of my life. Bane of my existence. All rolled into one. Now I had found my mate and somehow our relationship had bled into their lives.The mess we had caused with the royal family now threatened the people I loved the most. Which wrenched
Nerezza's Point of ViewIt was the day of the funeral. Everyone was bustling around above me. Various cars stopped outside. I could hear it all. Feel the energy buzzing around me. Feel the anticipation for the coming ceremonies. For my impending death. At around twelve, they would all move to the cathedral on the grounds. Lay Reginald to rest in the catacombs below. People would cry. Scream in outrage. Blame me for all of it whilst I mourned the man I had loved once upon a time.Where was Farren in all of this? Was she free in the world? Set loose to finally follow her own path? I would never hold it against her for leaving when she had the chance. She needed the freedom as much as I had. But being alone down here left me hollowed out.For years I had been surrounded by people. Adored by the masses. Never a moment alone. Once upon a time, I had craved silence. Solitude. Now I craved the touch of my mates. Even the two who had left me in that fucking room to fall for their crimes. Th
Priamos' Point of ViewWe assembled in the house just before it was time to go. Everyone was hopping from foot to foot. Gave each other nervous glances. This was a suicide mission if we were to get caught. If we were to be discovered. Everything seemed perfectly in place, though. Our plan was easy. Alastair and Amadeus would remain behind at the gate. Loiter around as if just part of the mourning crowd of commoners. Zaven had made his feelings clear about them staying behind. He didn't trust them. I understood completely. We knew next to nothing about the twins and the odds of them coming after us once we were imprisoned were zero to none. Yet that was the plan.Farren and I would enter alongside the rest of the Alphas and royals. She would cry, whether fake tears or real ones it didn't matter, and I would be beside her, the doting brother. Reginald had wanted to speak with her afterward. By that time, we would hopefully be long gone. Once the funeral starts, Farren will break into
Priamos' Point of ViewWe sat behind the prince and his family. Farren to my right. Emptiness to my left. In front of me was Reginald's balding head. There was one spot right at the back that was thinning considerably. Around it was a ring of silver. It was something any woman would be wary of if they had to marry him now. Next to Reginald on his left was Phaedra. Pristine. Poised. She tried her best to force tears out. Dabbed at her eyes from time to time to make it more convincing. Farren barely looked at her. Glared only once, to see if she was going to continue on this charade. Farren was truly crying. Silently, of course. But the tears kept streaming down her cheeks. Her handkerchief was wet from her tears. Riven was in front of her, sitting on his mother's lap and looking at Farren. At least the princess had more decency than to pretend as if this wasn't exactly what she wanted. Her eyes were always focused on the preacher. Never did she dab at her eyes or sniffle into a tissu
Nerezza's Point of ViewWith each passing second, the commotion outside grew louder. More violent. It also grew closer and closer until a single set of footsteps came echoing down the corridor. I braced myself for the inevitable. For my doom to settle in and devour me whole. What faced me instead were two sides to the same coin.Seeing Farren's face was both a relief and a burden. She hadn't gotten free. Instead, she was trying to get me free. So, the relief of seeing her was short-lived. Bittersweet. I hadn't anticipated for her to be here. Ever.Scuttling to my feet, I rushed to the bars. Threw my entire weight against them in an attempt to get closer to her. Feel her for a moment. My sister. The one person I knew would come for me but had hoped she would stay away. The girl I had raised and tended to when no one else wanted to. My light at the end of the tunnel."Nerezza!" The girl exclaimed and rushed to the bars as well. Her fingers fumbled through the bars. Tugged on my torn shi
Nerezza's Point of View We barely escaped with our lives. Guards had swarmed us from all sides. Despite my dislike of the two new additions to our group, they defended me with everything they got. Made sure that Farren was safe at all times as well. Although, Priamos kept his distance from her at all times. Couldn't even bring himself to look at her for too long. The shame in his eyes made a certain part of my soul giggle in pleasure. The white wolf was drenched in red by the time we exited the grounds. No one pursued. Couldn't leave their wards alone to fend for themselves. So, we ran out into the city and didn't look back once. Not as free as I had hoped to be but this was a small step in the right direction. But now I had several accomplices they could hang if they got hold of us. The situation was direr than I had previously thought. Besides my physical wounds, my mind was hurting as well. None of this truly made sense to me. Why had they come back? What would they gain from he
Lysander's Point of View"Are you just going to leave them down there?" I couldn't help but ask as we made our way up the stairs. Nerezza didn't look back at me. The bounce in her step I had come to love had vanished, seemingly overnight. But it was just from the trauma she had sustained.Whatever they had done to her down there, it was evident on her body. Torn clothes. Lethargic gait. Dirt covering every inch of her. No wonder she wasn't in a forgiving mood. I wouldn't be either, seeing as the men who were actually responsible stood just beneath us."She doesn't have to talk to them if she doesn't want to." Amadeus reminded me with a clipped voice. I glared at him over my shoulder as we trudged to Nerezza's room. Farren was the only one who had branched off into a different side of the house.Her complexion had turned ashen when Nerezza fought with her brother. I noticed the stiff spine and gnawing on her lower lip the moment the two clashed in front of her. She wasn't sure whose si
Alvara's Point of ViewEveryone was waiting. Everything was ready. Perfect. The best day of my life. But I couldn't help the sudden surge of nerves. What if the cake fell off the table? What if Ciaran had forgotten the rings? So many things could go wrong so fast. It was an endless cycle of what would be worse.Someone showing up in white or the brides' maids tripping halfway down the aisle. "Can you stop fidgeting? Geez. You look perfect!" Teagan exclaimed. Downed the last bit of champagne in her glass. I frowned at her. Looked toward Adelia to back me up. She only shrugged. Smiled and stood.Her long blue dress swayed against the tiles. Heels clicked as she moved closer. Wrapping her arms around my shoulders, we stared into the large mirror together. "You do look perfect. And you are marrying the loves of your life. Nothing can ruin today. I promise." She tried to comfort me. It wasn't working. My large A-line dress did the best it could at hiding the fact that I was pregnant. Nea
Nerezza's Point of ViewFarren had changed the estate exponentially. Enhanced it to the point where I was uncertain if we had come to the right place. No longer were the walls a dull black fence. In their place stood a large hedge with flowers sprouting in every direction. Security posted at the white frosted gates. White gravel leading into the place. It was exactly the type of wonderland I had thought her capable of constructing. A mansion fit for a fairy queen.I could feel my jaw slipping open. Feel awe creep up on me. She had accomplished so much in just over two weeks' time. Knew where her strengths were and used them to the best of her abilities. It was astonishing. We stopped in front of the gates. Were greeted by guards I knew the faces of. Couldn't place them immediately until one spoke up. "Miss Nerezza! Farren wasn't expecting you to be back so soon!" The man exclaimed. Held open his arms for a hug. I looked back at my mates. Noticed their frowns. But the gesture finally
Nerezza's Point of ViewWe had gathered everyone in the open space in front of the house. Gave them all blankets. Scavenged some clothes in all the surrounding houses and dressed the youngest of the children. Not all of the garments fit properly but it was enough to stave off the cold. Protect their innocence. Especially seeing as they had been through so much already.Conan was still passed out in the blanket Priamos had taken him away in. Milla sat close to him. Hugged his legs to her. Whimpered whenever one of my mates would get too close or linger too long. Her clear distrust of anyone was to be expected but I had never imagined someone of her age would already possess such hatred for other people.Alastair had turned back into his wolf form. Scouted for any remaining men in the surrounding area. He made his second lap around the premises before I stopped him. Held my hand on the patch of white he had on his forehead. The dark brown wolf nuzzled my hand. Looked me in the eyes."Go
Nerezza's Point of ViewThe brute had no time to recover. Or dodge. Only time to twist before Zaven lunged at him. This gave me an opening. Enough time to slip past the brawling bodies. Snarls and yips echoed into the hall. Slithered down my spine.I pushed them all away. Focussed on finding my son again. The chaos coming from downstairs was enough to bring me to my knees. The fighting had spilled inside. Men peppered the house with bullets. But none came up. Saw me at the top and shot but never pursued. "Conan!" I called down. Felt fear ripping at my heart again. If he was down there, the odds of him making it out alive were slipping away by the second. "I am in here!" The boy called dutifully. His voice came from behind me. From the door I had seen the brute enter. Slipping inside, I closed it. Pushed the closest thing I could find in front of it. Which was a doll house. Large enough that a toddler could climb in and disappear. The roof of the house was a bit worn but brand new t
Nerezza's Point of ViewThe second floor of the house wasn't nearly as run down as the first floor. Held much more luxury. Paintings of people long since passed. Pieces of art. The floors were of high-quality stone. Made me feel almost guilty for walking all over them with my dirty feet. Children's toys were also scattered about. Littered the landing of the stairs. Along with the modern living room beyond. Off to the right, there was a kitchen. Neat. Clean. State of the art. Glass front cupboards lit up by lights on the inside. It almost rivaled my own."This way." The elderly lady whispered. Touched my arm briefly in passing. She lead us down a short hall. Past two other rooms with their doors tightly shut. A bathroom light was on at the far end, just beyond the third room. This was where the lady slowed down. Stopped in front of. The door had a name on it in colorful lettering. Conan.I felt my heart skip a beat. Until voices drifted into my ears. Amadeus hadn't followed us up. H
Nerezza's Point of ViewWe moved toward the light. Split up into our respective groups as we progressed. Our paws made less noise in the snow. Or maybe I couldn't hear them anymore above the pounding of my own heart. Either way, Amadeus and I remained behind the rest. Lagged a bit.From our current vantage point, I could make out two trucks closest to us. Neither looked to be filled with children, which was a slight relief. Until I realized where most of them were. In a hole, unable to ever return to their hopeful parents.Under Reginald's rule, several hundred children had vanished, seemingly, into thin air. I had a part to play in that monstrosity of negligence. Had always swept it under the rug so that he focussed on what I had wanted first. Now I came to regret it. Knew that those children had most likely been peers of Conan's later on. Priamos lead the way for Lysander's team. Curled his head left. The assassins and the heir padded off in that direction. Settled in somewhere out
Nerezza's Point of ViewConan might be in a dark and freezing hole somewhere. Trapped by other children's corpses. His soul unable to return to the goddess by proper burial. Every instinct in my body screamed at me to run to that village. Scream at the top of my lungs until my son answered. But it was out of the question.I would get killed before I even made it inside the first circle of houses. Bunkers. Whatever they used to store these neglected children in. Anger mixed in with my despair. Coated my heart in a sickly black slime.They had to pay. Whether Conan was alive or dead, they had to face the consequences of their actions. Humans had long since forgotten there were monsters lurking in the dark. Had forgotten that firelight never scared us away. We would have to hunt all of them down. Every last one. Devour them.Because they had taken my son from me. The last ray of hope I had left in this life. No amount of tears would fill the hole he had left inside of me. I braced mysel
Nerezza's Point of ViewPriamos, the twins, and Lysander set out at first light. Four men innocently walking around in the jungle wouldn't spark much interest in the enemies we had more to the north. They had taken hunting bows with them. Arrows. Face coverings. No one would suspect them to be anything but four men trying to find food in this frozen wasteland.Zaven had set out to look for more firewood for the day. Or so he had claimed but I had a feeling there was something else brewing on his mind. Whatever it might have been was irrelevant. Trivial. We could deal with all the emotional fallout of the group once Conan was safely back within our reach."Have you ever fought someone before?" Kalliked asked. Shook out his black hair from some snow that had fallen on him. The snow made his caramel skin look lighter than it was. Made him seem less threatening and more clumsy. But it also made the white tattoos surrounding his neck stand out.Shaking off some of the same snowfall, I nodd
Nerezza's Point of ViewWe had drifted off to sleep. Comforted by the various warm bodies, I couldn't help myself. Felt more loved at that moment than I ever had before. It was a revelation to know that after so long, you were indeed loved and cherished. By the very men you had wronged time and time again.The goddess had known exactly who to give me. Even if I had failed to see that at the beginning. At least I was grateful now. If not for the cold then for their warmth.A persistent knocking drove me out of my slumber. I looked toward the door. Noticed the knocking turned into a frantic beat. This made me wiggle my way out of the mess of bodies. Some of them were even snuggled together. Like Lysander holding Priamos. Zaven holding Alastair. Slipping out of bed, I stared down at them. Felt my heart swell.After everything we had been through, they still remained. Devoted themselves to my happiness. To finding Conan. A few more hours of rest couldn't do anything to them but improve th