LIANI
The next day I woke up never wanting to drink again. “ I told you,” Iris says while I'm throwing up in the toilet. My head was pounding and I didn’t have the energy to argue with her. It didn’t help that I had taken in a lot of different information last night regarding my species. “I'm a hybrid,” I whisper to myself while looking in the mirror. “WE'RE A HYBRID,” Iris says. I head downstairs for breakfast and the entire pack is there. It was weird because usually, it was just a few of us around this time. Others were either working or attending school. I had classes online so I usually got up early to train with the warriors. I guess I loved that my parents encouraged me to train with them when I was younger.“Great, you’re here.” Alpha Luke said as I sat at the table. Demetri was eyeing me more than usual lately and it was weird. “Not really, he’s the Alpha’s son, and it's normal for them to be mated with a beta’s daughter.” I cringe at the thought of being mated to him. It's not like he was ugly. He was extremely attractive. He was well built, with brown hair that stopped at his shoulders, thick eyebrows, hazel eyes, and full lips. But, I just didn’t see him that way. I know my 21st birthday was approaching in four days so I would be able to find my mate soon. When I sit down at the table I say “S-sorry Alpha, I wasn’t aware of the meeting.” “It’s okay. It was very last minute, but now that everyone’s here, we can begin. This morning the pack received an invitation to the Lycan Kingdom.” Everyone including myself gasped. People were whispering amongst themselves confused as to why we were invited. Alpha Luke clears his throat to get everyone’s attention and they all fall silent. “It says here that EVERYONE in the pack must attend.” All eyes fell on me. I had never left the pack lands. Even the club Aella and I go to is literally up the street. He clears his throat again and looks at my mother “I’m sorry Maya, but you both must go. We can't risk angering the King and Queen.” My mother nods in agreement. “Does it say why we’re invited?” I ask shyly. “It’s a royal ball.” The alpha responds. Excited whispers began filling the room. However, the Alpha was not finished. “It is 4 days from today.” I look down kind of upset that I wouldn’t get to celebrate my birthday the way I wanted to. “Who cares!!! We get to go to a ball.” Iris says excitedly. When everyone dispersed it was just me, my mom, Aella, Demetri, and the Alpha and Luna. “Well," my mother begins. “We must hide her scent.” The alpha says sternly. What?! What are they talking about? They must be talking about me, I thought. “Alpha, with all due respect, without my powers I can’t do that.” My mother responds. Worry spreads across the lunas face. “Why do I have to hide my scent? Do I smell bad or something?" I ask ignorantly. “No, but you don't smell like an ordinary wolf.” The Alpha says sternly. “We’ll just have to keep her far away from the king and queen,” Aella says. Did she know about what I was? “Had to,” Iris says. When we all agreed that I would just stay out of the king and queen's sight during the ball, everyone eventually dispersed until it was Demetri, Aella, and myself. “OH, MY GODDESS!! I can’t believe we’ve been invited to the royal ball!!” Aella said eagerly. “Did you know?” I ask sternly. “W-what?” Aella said. “Did. You. Know?” I asked again. This time more slowly since she acted as if she couldn’t comprehend what I said. “I-I” she stuttered. I felt bad even acting like this with my best friend, but how could she not tell me? “We just found out,” Dimitri said. I felt relief and guilt wash over me at the same time. Aella has always been a good friend to me and here I am being a bitch to her. “When?” I asked. “Last night, when your dad appeared before you and your mom. Obviously, my mom and Aella didn’t see him, but my parents had known what you and your mom were because your dad was my dad's best friend and beta.” Dimitri replied. I looked over at Aella who was obviously hurt that I disregarded her excitement. “Ael-“I tried to say before she stormed off. “Damnit!” I whisper yelled to myself. “She’ll get over it. You are going through a lot right now.” Dimitri said. I felt the empathy in his voice. “I know, but I shouldn't take my anger out on her.” I started biting my nails and pacing the room lost in my thoughts. It’s a bad habit I’ve had since I’ve spent most of my time alone outside of Aella, Sydney, and my parents. “Hey-“ Dimitri said as he grabbed my waist pulling me from my thoughts. My heart pounded with how close he was to me. “Get him away!” Iris snapped. So, I took a step back. “I’m sorry Li, I didn’t mean to upset you.” He said. “I-it’s okay. Thank you for bringing me back to reality” I replied trying to lighten the mood. “Anytime.” He said as he smiled with his hands in his pockets. He stood there awkwardly for a minute. “Goodnight Li,” he said right before he walked back over to me and kissed me on my forehead. “Wipe it off!” Iris whimpered. “Goddess, what is wrong with you Iris?” I asked. “He’s not our mate.” She replied. “And how would you know? We won’t sense our mate for another 4 days.” I snapped. I knew that Iris would know who our mate was better than I would. So I felt kind of guilty that I was snappy with her. These last 2 days have exhausted me energetically, so I went to sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.AUBURONIt was now 3 days before the royal ball and I do what I do every morning. I go and visit Layla. When I walked into the pack hospital no one says anything although all eyes are on me. Each person just bows as I pass. But, I do prefer it that way. Walking into the silence allows me to mentally prepare to see my sister. Opening the door to her room, I see her frail body in her hospital gown, and I hear the monitors hooked up to her beeping. I take a deep breath before I sit beside her and grab her hand. “Hey, sis,” I say. “I know you probably can’t hear me, but I miss you more every day. I’m working tirelessly to find the culprit that did this to you. I feel the consistent agony you’re in and if it were up to me I would take on all your pain if it meant that I could have you back. I need my twin back. You know there’s no me without you, Lay. I can't believe you’re going to miss this extra-ass royal ball that our parents are throwing in hopes that I can find my mate.” I pause as
AUBURONI yanked those curtains down so fast as I stormed out of Layla’s room. My eyes flash between their dark brown color and red. The anger that consumed me was taking over my entire body, I was fighting with Carro to keep him from taking over. Luckily when I stormed through my parents' study both of them were in there. “Auburon, what's wrong?” My mom said as they both saw the shifts between my eyes going brown to red, brown to red. I angrily pushed the curtain towards them and said “WHOSE SCENT IS THAT?!” My dad snatched the curtains from my moms' hands and took in a long sniff. His eyes immediately changed to the golden-light brown color of his lycan. “THAT BASTARD!” He yelled. I could see the fear in my moms' eyes as she took the curtains from my father gently, taking the curtains in her left hand and keeping her right hand on my father's forearm, stroking her thumb to try and soothe him. As soon as she took a whiff, her thumb immediately stopped moving. “GUARDS!!” She yelled a
LIANI It was now just one day till the Royal Ball and I felt really weird. I’ve been having hot and cold flashes all day, my head is pounding and I have tremors all throughout my arms and legs. My mom said it could have something to do with my powers. But I thought that was weird as she said I wouldn’t get them till I met my mate. “I think we’ll meet him tomorrow,” Iris says. “Really?” I say excitedly. I’ve seen how my mom and dad were and the love that they have for each other. Even in death, it’s something that is unbreakable. I’ve always wanted that for myself. I wonder what my mate will be like. I thought to myself. “I hope he’s sexy!” Iris jokes. “And even if he isn't, it's who the moon goddess has blessed us with,” I say, smiling just thinking about my future mate. I spent the next 30 minutes getting ready as Sydney, Aella, Luna Alora, my mom and I are all going gown shopping for the Royal Ball tomorrow. We’re going to the mall that’s about 45 minutes out of town. I'm so exci
AUBURON Today is the day that I either find my mate or I select a chosen mate. With every she-wolf and lycan headed to the kingdom today, I couldn’t help but dread what was coming. My mother has come to my quarters five different times just to check to see if I'm here and didn’t run off anywhere. She even placed guards at every possible exit. “I don't know why she acts like we wouldn’t be able to rip them to shreds without so much as lifting a finger,” Carro says. “You’re right,” I respond chuckling at his honesty. Both my mother and father know that If me and Carro want to do something we will. It's the reason a lot of people fear us. Even in my human form no man or warrior is a match for me. There were about two hours till this stupid ball and the only thing I wanted to do was go and visit my sister. “Mother,” I say sternly through the mind link. “What is it Auburon?” she asks. “I’m going to visit Layla,” I say. “Auburon, do you think that’s a good idea? Tonight is an important n
LIANI I looked at myself one more time in the mirror before we headed to the royal palace. I had my silver curly hair half up, half down, with a few pieces in the front of my face. Aella helped me do my makeup. It was an extremely soft look that highlighted my natural facial features. Aella even put a pair of eyelashes on me. This was my first time wearing them and honestly, I would want to wear them again. “Come on Li, we have to go,” my mother says. “I’m coming,” I say as I rush out to the car. When I reached the car, my mother told me that I looked beautiful. “Happy Birthday Li,” she said as she handed me a small black box. “Mom, you didn't have to get me anything,” I say. “Girl hush and open it,” she said with excitement. I opened it to find a beautiful gold-plated bracelet. It had little crystals all around it. “What crystal is this?” I ask. “It’s Carnelian, one of the best crystals to tap into your power and exude confidence,” she says. “It’s beautiful Mom, thank you,” I say
AUBURON I instinctively pushed my mate behind me when I heard the clapping. “Well, well, well,” said a woman’s voice. “Look, Kaya, they’re already arguing,” said a voice that was similar to my uncle’s. Carro immediately pushed forward as my eyes flashed red trying to contain my lycan so he wouldn’t do anything too rash. “WHY DID YOU DO IT?!” screamed my mate. I looked over at her and saw her beautiful lilac eyes. I could tell that her wolf was present. Tears were beginning to fill them as I wondered what happened between her and this woman. “You’re asking the wrong question, my dear niece.” the woman said as she scoffed. Isn't this ironic? My uncle and her aunt. Huh. I thought. I glared at my uncle as he smiled and said “How’s little Layla?” I see red as I run to attack him before the weird woman raised her hand and he was now on the left side of her. “What the fuck?” said Carro. I growled in frustration. “See little niece, you should be asking why I’m here,” she said as she rai
LIANIAs we made our way back to the ballroom I could feel Prince Auburon’s eyes burning into my back as I walked ahead with his mother, queen Emris. “I love the way you cut off the king.” She says as amusement fills her eyes. I cleared my throat unsure of what to say. Was she being serious? I mean I did cut off her husband, one of the most powerful Lycans to ever walk this earth. “Us women have to make our presence known or else the men will just run us over or act as if we’re not there,” she said. Again, I was flabbergasted that she was being so frank with me.“I appreciate your kind words, my queen,” I say. “Oh dear, please call me Emris. I will be your mother-in-law soon.” I turned my neck slightly to look over my shoulder at Auburon when I heard him scoff. “Do not mind him, Liani. He might not show it right now, but he’s happy to have found you.” The queen says as the guards open the double doors into the ballroom. Before I could give the queen a fake smile, I realized the ballro
AUBURON I hated the idea of anyone going near my unconscious sister. “It’s our mate’s mother,” Carro says trying to reason with me. “We don't know them! Let alone trust them!” I yell at him in response. I can’t even believe that my parents are allowing this. “What if they help her?” Carro asks. “Then they help her!” I snap. As everyone started leaving the room I told my parent’s that I needed to talk to them before we all went to see Layla. “Please wait outside for us.” said my father to Liani and her mom. When everyone was out of the room my father said “Well, out with it.” “Uncle Archer was here tonight,” I said angrily. My eyes were flickering back and forth between red and brown as I tried to calm Carro. My mother and father looked equally shocked. “I didn’t smell his scent.” says my father. “Well, he was with Liani’s aunt who was able to hide his scent,” I said trying to convince myself that was the reason why I didn’t smell either of them. “What did he say?” asked my mom. “N
LIANI The next two days Auburon and I spent figuring out ways that we can help Aella. We’ve been back and forth to the hospital and back to our hotel room. However, since we are the upcoming queen and King, we have to resume the tour and head to Moonshadow forest. Luckily, it is only twenty minutes away from the hospital. So, if anything happens with Aella and we have to get there quickly, we can. My mind has been tormenting me about the situation with my grandma Nixie. Did she want me to see it? If so, why? Did she want me to be wary of what I say and do around her so that she has nothing to report to Shannara? She’s tried calling but there’s really not much I have to say to her. I mean I’m still pissed. Whether or not she wanted to tell Shannara she did and she waited till after our training session to show me her vision. She should’ve canceled, she should’ve told me at the beginning, she should’ve— “Baby, come on,” Auburon calls out, cutting off my thoughts. I hurry out of the
LIANI I lead Demetri out into the hallway where two chairs are sitting outside the hospital room. He pulls me into a hug which catches me off guard. “I’m so happy you’re okay, Li.” He says breathing heavily. “Y-yeah… me too. I just wish Aella was okay, too.” I say as I fight back the tears that pool in my eyes. He runs his hands through his hair and he averts my gaze. I stare him down, searching his aura. Why is it tainted? Why is it black? “D-do you guys know who hit you?” he says while frantically looking around the hospital room. It’s as if he’s looking for someone. The softness of his voice lets me know he’s afraid of being heard. “No. We don’t.” I say sternly. “But, we’re looking into it. Is everything okay with you though?” I ask. “Y-yeah, I’m okay, Li... Just, ya know... Stressed about Aella.” He says weirdly. He seems more panicked than anything. I go to open my mouth and he pulls out his phone as it pings. I’m assuming he has a message with the way his eyes go wide a
LIANI I look around and I stand in white light. There’s nothing here. Is this the sky? Am I in heaven? Is this what the afterlife looks like? I feel a sense of calmness as I stand here. I close my eyes and inhale. When I open them again, I see that I’m standing in a field. There are tons of flowers and beautiful trees. As I look out I see a figure walking towards me. A woman. She has on a white gown with gold bracelets. Her hair is long and wavy, and the color of melted chocolate. Her eyes change colors as they lay on me. First brown, then red, then green, then purple. I feel a closeness with her. I feel drawn to her. “Hello, my child.” Oh, my goddess, it's her. It’s the moon goddess. She smiles and then chuckles. “Walk with me,” she says and I do. I turn to face the left and follow after her. “I see you’re in a dilemma.” “I am. Is there a way we can save Aella? I-if it’s not too much to ask. I mean, when I was in the hospital room, her aura told me that she doesn’t have a lot of
LIANI BEEP…BEEP…BEEP. “Mmmm,” I groan while wiping my eyes. My head is pounding and the light in here is too damn bright. “Lower the lights,” I hear a male voice say. When the lights are lowered my line of vision is able to focus but my ears are still ringing. I’m in a hospital room, with an IV connected to my arm. “How do you feel?” Auburon says as his voice comes into the register. “Like I’ve been hit by a truck,” I say as I try to sit up. I groan in pain from the movement. Auburon’s face pales at my joke. “What happened?” “We were quite literally hit by a truck,” Dorian says. I didn’t even realize he and Layla standing there. Layla looks at me with sadness in her eyes. They’re all puffy and red. Dorian looks extremely tired but also on alert. My eyes meet Auburon’s once again and his eyes are pleading with me like he doesn’t want me to freak out. I scan the room one more time. AELLA! KAYDEN! “WHERE ARE AELLA AND KAYDEN?” I ask as I try to rip the IV out of my arm and move. Aub
LIANI Buzzing. Everything was buzzing. “LIANI! LIANI! ARE YOU OKAY? BABY LOOK AT ME. SOMEBODY CALL AN AMBULANCE!” My vision was blurred as I tried to reach for Auburon as he panics. “Mmmmeh- A-aub” “Baby! Baby, you’re okay! Stay with me!” he says grabbing and gently smacking my face. My throat burns from the smoke inhalation that I can’t speak the way I want to. I hear a loud ripping sound, but my vision is too blurred to see it. I search my mind for Iris but I couldn’t connect with her. “I-I I can’t f-ff-find I-I-ris…” I’m able to say one last time before everything went black. “SHIT! WHERE THE FUCK IS THE AMBULANCE! HOW FAR ARE THE GUARDS?! WHY WEREN’T THEY FOLLOWING US MORE CLOSELY!” **** Ten Minutes Prior AUBURON After dinner, in the limo, I can tell that Liani wasn’t present with me. I could tell she was worried about the tour, especially meeting the higher-ups. I could feel her anxiety through the mate bond. I grab her hand and tell her “It’s okay. It's going to be oka
LIANI I take his hand and inhale one last time before I step out. Here goes nothing. I think to myself. “We got this,” Iris says. But, I can feel her anxiety too or maybe it’s mine. I’m not sure, but when I step out and grab Auburon’s hand, he smiles at me. I can’t help but feel at ease. The cameras flash as they bombard me with questions and statements. “Prince Auburon, is this your mate?” “Prince Auburon she’s gorgeous!” “Prince Auburon where is she from? Is she from a prestigious family?” The questions kept coming until the wind blew and everyone got a whiff of my scent. Everyone went quiet as they all looked at me with wide eyes. I can see the disgust on some of their faces while others look intrigued… excited even. I gulp and squeeze Auburon’s hand tighter. “It’s okay,” he says ringing through the mind link. But it wasn’t okay. Is he not seeing what I’m seeing? I swallow to hold back the bile that arises in my throat. It was so silent that it felt awkward. Is this even
LIANI Somehow Auburon’s words soothed me enough to get up and prepare for the day. Honestly, I had no choice, as today was our first outing. But, I could feel through the mate bond just how serious Auburon was about being there with me and protecting me shall the need for it arises. Cassidy and Sierra ushered in to help me with my hair and make-up. They were a little more formal and anxious than usual and I think it’s because they see me in a different light now. Aella and Layla also came to my room so that we could all get ready together for the outing. This will be Aella’s first public appearance and it makes me feel better that she’ll be there. But, I know all eyes are going to be on me. After all, I will be their future queen. I’ve also been thinking about my grandma and if she’s okay since she and my grandpa went back to their house. I wonder what her meeting with Shannara was like and if those burns ever went away. Goddess, I hope she’s okay. After about two hours of getting
LIANI I nod my head yes but he doesn’t enter me, instead, he inserts a finger into me. “Mmm, you’re so wet Liani, and so tight,” he says as he picks up the pace, angling his finger to hit me right on my g spot as he pinches and tweaks my nipples. Fuck, I love this so much. I moan as I run one of my hands down my body and begin to play with my clit. “You look so good baby, but you’re not allowed to cum yet,” He would say that as I’m literally about to go over the edge. He removes his finger from me and places his tip at my entrance. “Tell me if it hurts okay?” I nod. He enters me slowly, pumping in and out gently, allowing me some time to get used to his length and size. A sigh escapes his lips. “You okay?” he asks as he’s now all the way in me. “Y-yes,” I say. He wastes no time pumping in and out of me as he nuzzles his head into my neck. “Fuck Liani, you feel so good,” he says as he picks up the pace. The moans that escape me are wild and breathless and I couldn’t care les
LIANI I didn’t realize my eyes were wandering or that I was even gawking at him until he cleared his throat and said “Eyes up here, Liani,” My eyes immediately shoot up and I couldn’t help but blush at the fact that I got caught. I almost forgot Sierra was standing there until she said “That’s my cue to leave. Please do enjoy yourselves. Lady Liani, Prince Auburon” then bows and scurried off. As I watch her leave, Auburon pulls me into his chest, cradling his head into my neck. He then places a small smack on my ass and moves his hands slowly up my body till they’re resting on my shoulders. “You look beautiful,” I blush. “Come on,” he says as he grabs my hand and guides me into the room. I was so dumbfounded by everything that I couldn’t even say anything. “Tell our mate he looks good! Goddess!” Iris says through my mind and I can see her roll her eyes. “Oh, now you speak to me!” I say. “You look really good too,” I say to Auburon as we step into the room. He turns around and