Sadie’s POV
“Impossible!”
Luna Emma and Delphine immediately stepped forward.
“She’s not fit to be Luna!” Delphine objected. “She has no wolf! And she’s a harlot! She tried to seduce her father’s Beta!”
“Is this true?” Prince Griffin asked with furrowed brows.
“I don’t have a wolf,” I said sadly. “That is true. But I didn’t seduce my father’s Beta.”
“You most certainly did!” Delphine hissed. “We have witnesses. Some of our maids saw you!”
Delphine nodded to a few maids. They stepped forward. They were the maids that had come into the room when I was struggling with Beta Jay. Their contempt for me was written all over their faces.
“We can testify,” one of them said smugly.
“We saw her. She had her hands all over Beta Jay,” another one chimed in.
“It’s true. She was seducing him,” the third one confirmed.
My heart sank. Prince Griffin looked at me with a concerned expression. He was clearly taken aback by this.
His Beta touched him on the arm and said in a low voice:
“Your Highness, the Royal Family cannot accept a Luna without a wolf.”
Prince Griffin nodded.
“Nor can they accept a wolfless Luna with a…tarnished reputation.”
It was a polite way of saying that they couldn’t accept someone who was a whore. Which of course, I wasn’t. But the cards were stacked against me.
“I’m afraid the Royal Family has already shown a lot of mercy by allowing all she-wolves, even maids, to enter the Luna Selection,” the Beta said. “Having a Luna without a wolf would be too much of a weakness for the Lycan Royal family. We simply can’t accept her.”
I knew it had been a long shot, competing for Luna. I’d been shocked when I passed the ritual. For a brief moment, I’d had hope that I could escape my life here. But now, hearing the Beta’s words, I knew my fate was sealed.
I was wolfless. And everyone thought I was a harlot.
Prince Griffin had no choice. I wasn’t fit to be Luna.
“I’m sorry,” he said regretfully. “But I reject you as my Luna.”
I hung my head. I was just about to leave the stage and return to the group of maids, when Luna Emma spoke up.
“Sadie has deceived the Prince,” she said, her voice cold. “That’s treason. She should be imprisoned.”
Imprisoned?
My heart clutched in my chest. Wasn’t it bad enough that I’d been demoted to a maid? Wasn’t it punishment enough that my reputation was ruined? I stared at Luna Emma in disbelief.
But before Luna Emma could continue, a strange and powerful presence rippled through the crowd.
We all turned to look.
A werewolf appeared towards the back of the crowd. He was tall, with a strong, powerful build. He had silver hair and striking blue eyes. He stood, emanating an aura that felt like an inexplicable pressure to the werewolves around him. They had no choice but to lower their heads. They feared him. The she-wolves, however, blushed and averted their eyes. But they glanced up in quick bouts, stealing looks at this magnanimous, magnetic man.
Who was he?
That was the question on everyone’s mind, including mine.
He was powerful. Very powerful, that much was clear. He stood with an unmatched swagger and arrogance. He wore battle gear but it was in pristine condition. He stood perfectly still, scanning the crowd with his intense blue eyes.
I watched him with cautious eyes. Until his keen gaze quickly found me and his eyes locked onto mine.
Instantly, I felt his intense desire for me. It radiated from his eyes. I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to. His gaze held mine fixed and immobile.
A strange and unfamiliar feeling surged through me.
Excitement. Nervousness. Instinctive fear.
Heat.
Longing.
Desire.
I was vaguely aware that Prince Griffin was speaking.
“Uncle Arlo,” Prince Griffin said respectfully. “I didn’t expect to see you here. I thought you were off fighting the rogues.”
So this was Arlo.
Arlo Frost, the famed and powerful Lycan, uncle to the Lycan Prince, brother of the King.
His reputation preceded him. We didn’t know much about him; he was Lycan royalty after all and we were werewolves far removed from the Royal Palace. But that didn’t mean we didn’t hear about the legendary Royal family from time to time.
He was a dangerous man, Arlo Frost. But even still, I was drawn to him.
His gaze was exciting and terrifying at the same time.
“I was,” Arlo replied casually. “But I made quick work of the rogues. The battle is over now. I was in the vicinity and thought I’d stop by.” His gaze never left mine as he spoke, his eyes locked firmly on mine.
He began to walk towards me. His steps were slow and dangerous. I swallowed nervously as he made his way to the stage.
“Is she your Luna?” he asked, meaning me.
“No,” Prince Griffin said with regret in his voice. “She passed the ritual. She was chosen by the slab. But unfortunately she doesn’t have a wolf.”
“I see,” Arlo said. His face seemed to relax a bit at Prince Griffin’s words. Was it because I wasn’t the Prince’s Luna?
His expression didn’t change much. His intense eyes were still locked on mine. But I felt his mood lighten. He seemed more relaxed, more at ease as he sauntered up to the stage.
My heart was beating a mile a minute. My palms were sweaty. He was standing only a few feet away now.
“Do you want to leave here?” he asked. His voice was deep and sexy, full of temptation.
Leave?
There was nothing I wanted more.
But who was this man?
“Your Highness,” Luna Emma said, addressing Arlo. “She’s just a wolf-less whore. She seduced her father’s Beta and…”
Prince Griffin also spoke, simultaneously. “She wasn’t chosen by me, Uncle Arlo.”
Arlo’s deep, sharp gaze swept over them both. His imposing aura shut them both up instantly.
He looked back to me. He cocked his head to the side and smiled, a lascivious smile that oozed arrogance.
“I choose her,” he said bluntly. “From this day forth, she is mine.”
Delphine glared at me with jealous eyes. Luna Emma shot me a look that could kill, unable to hide her seething hatred for me.
But I didn’t care.
I looked at Arlo, deep into his eyes.
He reached out his hand to me.
“Come,” he ordered.
I put my hand in his. His gaze was so intense, it penetrated deep inside of me…
Right into my heart.
Moon Goddess, can I trust him?
Saide’s POVI decided to seize my last chance. To leave the pack I had grown up in. My Alpha father was gone, and I couldn’t allow myself to live in this hell any longer.After I nodded, Arlo smiled slightly and promptly took me away. Emma didn’t dare to say a word in protest. Yeah, no werewolf would dare to defy a Lycan.The palace lights shone against the dark sky as we arrived. It was already late at night, but the entire palace was brightly lit. The palace was enormous and it sprawled out with different wings and quarters. I’d never seen anything with so much grandeur. The atmosphere was solemn, which only added to my nerves.I fidgeted with my hands as I followed closely behind Arlo and Prince Griffin.We approached the front door and a maid rushed out to meet us. I could tell by her demeanor that she was the head maid.“Prince Griffin, Arlo,” she said respectfully, bowing her head. I peeked out from behind Arlo and her eyes lit up when she saw me. She smiled and bowed her head a
Sadie’s POVWithout a word, Arlo removed his shirt and tossed it onto the smooth floor. I stared in disbelief.His chest was magnificent, chiseled and muscular. I swallowed hard.I’d never seen a man’s naked chest this clearly before. I’d never been this close to a half—naked man. A rush of emotions ripped through me: curiosity, shyness, fascination.“Why so shy?” he asked softly.“I’m not,” I snapped back. I didn’t want him to think I was some sort of innocent child. And I certainly didn’t want him to know I’d never seen a man’s chest like this before.He chuckled softly. His eyes flitted to the blanket that was practically wrapped up to my chin. “Let me see you,” he said in a sexy growl.I bit my lower lip. I was immobilized by fear of the unknown. I couldn’t just take off the blanket.He tilted his head to the side and raised an eyebrow.Then he walked around to the side of the bed. He held out his hand.“I won’t bite. I promise,” he said, his voice like liquid. I gingerly placed
Sadie’s POVBefore I could even react, I felt a warm, wet sensation on my chest. It took me by surprise. It was an unfamiliar sensation. I didn’t really understand what was happening. I glanced down and saw Arlo’s head at my chest, his mouth on my breast.He was sucking my nipple!My face turned bright red. Of course I’d heard about this. I wasn’t completely naïve. It had just never happened to me and it made me feel a little embarrassed. But as he continued kissing my nipple, the sensation intensified. I watched and was overwhelmed by both the sight of his mouth on my breast and the feeling of his lips on my nipple.I felt something warm and wet flowing between my legs. I couldn’t help. It trickled down my legs.Oh my moon goddess! Would it soak the sheets?What was that wetness? Why was it coming from…from down there?What was happening? His hand reached up and kneaded my other breast. I didn’t fully understand. But this feeling washed over me. It was a longing.I longed for somethi
Sadie’s POVI changed into a beautiful gown given to me by a maid. Then I smoothed my hair and put a bit of makeup on. I was going to meet the Lycan King, after all, and I wanted to look presentable.A warrior was waiting for me at my door. He escorted me into a luxurious office. The walls were lined with books and documents. I ascertained that it was an important place – a place where the Royal Family conducted important business.There was a fireplace with a cozy fire blazing in the corner. There was a long mahogany table in the center. And to my surprise, the Lycan King, the Lycan Queen and the Lycan Prince were all present.The Lycan King looked at me with authority. The Queen’s face, however, was full of disdain as she eyed me up and down.I didn’t know what to do, so I just stood at the end of the table.“This is her?” the Queen scoffed.“It is,” Prince Griffin nodded. “This is Sadie Ambrose, daughter of the late Night Shadow Pack Alpha, Abram Ambrose.”“She’s the one who pass
Sadie’s POVThe King dismissed Prince Griffin and I. As we left, I felt the Queen’s glare on my back. She was not happy that the king had declared me Luna. But there didn’t seem to be anything she could do about it.Prince Griffin and I left the room together. I didn’t know where we were going, but I fell into step beside him. He said nothing as we traversed the long halls of the palace.I felt a bit awkward as we walked down the palace hallway. I was confused. When I’d first connected with the stone at the Luna Selection, the Prince had declared me as his Luna. For a brief moment, my heart had soared! But Luna Emma had stepped forward and told him that I didn’t have a wolf. Perplexed, he’d rescinded and rejected me on the spot.But now?I was apparently going to be his Luna again? Why though? Nothing has changed? The reason he’d rejected me in the first place was still there. I didn’t have a wolf.I glanced at him as we walked. His face had an easy-going look to it. I couldn’t help b
Sadie’s POVThe two Lycans stayed like that, their eyes locked on one another.I didn’t understand! How had things escalated to this point? And so quickly? They looked like they were about to fight.But over what?Over me?Why though? They were giving me the false impression that I was somehow important. Important enough to fight over?Yet, at the same time, they were treating me like an object.No one had asked me what I wanted.They growled again.I couldn’t believe this! It was so ridiculous. There was no reason for them to fight. Even the thought of them locked in this standoff made me anxious. If they actually fought…My heart hammered in my chest. There was nothing I could do. If they were going to fight, I couldn’t stop them. I knew better than to get between two strong werewolves in a fight. Especially wolves with so much power and authority.Just then, though, Arlo smirked. He chuckled softly, as though he’d just heard a childish joke. A half-smile curled on his lips and he l
Arlo’s POVI sauntered into my brother’s office.“I need to talk to you, Cullen,” I said, fixing my eyes on my brother.“Of course, Arlo. Take a seat,” King Cullen said, waving at the table.Ferrara stood.“I’ll have a maid send in some coffee,” she said, her voice dry. Then she left the room without another word.I took a seat. There was a plate of sweets on the table and I helped myself to one.“To what do I owe the pleasure,” King Cullen asked, raising his eyebrows in an amused manner.“The girl is mine,” I declared firmly. I casually bit into the cookie, then I leaned back casually in my chair.“I had a feeling that’s why you came to see me,” King Cullen said. “That, or you caught word we were having sweets,” he teased.My brother knew me well so he knew my soft spot for sweets.“Please,” he said, gesturing at the sweets. I took another, then he sighed deeply. “I know you’ve claimed the girl, Arlo,” he said. “But I’m afraid it’s not that simple. There are bigger things at play her
Sadie’s POVThe warrior closed the door behind me. Alone in my room, I went and sat stiffly on the bed. I smoothed out the silk duvet beside me, afraid to relax. I was worried that at any moment, Arlo would come through my door.Eventually, I washed up and changed for bed. But I tossed and turned all night. Any sound had me bolting upright. What was that? Was it him? Had he come to finish what we’d started earlier?Morning came and I woke up on the soft bed. I squinted against the sunlight streaming in through my window.I glanced around the room.He hadn’t come.Arlo hadn’t come to see me last night.There was a light knock on the door and the head maid peeked her head in. Seeing that I was awake, she came in, the other maid in tow behind her.“Miss Sadie. We’ll run your bath and help you dress,” she smiled at me.A bath? That was the last thing I wanted. I remembered the baht from the night before when they’d practically scrubbed my skin right off. I politely declined a bath.She pa