Okay okay. So there’s tension in the air. Tension between our Once-upon-a-time-lovers. And Isla is feeling insecure with her fighting but you can’t blame her. Ralph is pretty strong! {I made him that way > Evil laugh!} Oh, how could I forget the best part? Cayden’s here! {evil laugh again!!}
{Isla’s POV} Today I didn’t go to the Arena for Combat Schooling. I had Princess duties to handle. Dad had just returned from his Scouting and he wanted me to join him in mapping out a Tactics plan. There had been a breach in the West Coast Borders of the Reigns so he wanted to teach me Tactics schemes. So I was preparing to go and meet him in his Work Office. I also planned on stopping by the Clinic to check on Kunuki and Shrill-voice. Hopefully, during the Tactics mapping, I would be able to convince my Dad to let them stay. Okay, that’s the news for today. Oh, and Cayden is around… Brick wall, remember? But I had handled that situation properly even though Andrea had preferred to gape instead of continuing onwards with me. Yes. I had snubbed Cayden like he wasn’t even there and had continued on my way. He was just a War General after all. One of my subjects. I wasn’t going to give him special treatment. He was nothing! Yes, we had been mates, but that was one desperat
{Isla’s POV} I darted into the Arena like a Roe deer on fire and believe me when I say that my heart still paced faster than my legs. I stabled my footing. Once I rested my eyes on the haywire scene, I cried with all the air in my lungs. “Stop!” They stopped. They obeyed— at least I thought so due to the sudden silence. Sorry, I close my eyes when I yell. I threw my lids open and there they were, mangled and bruised, with gory blood spilled everywhere. The revelation was indeed dreadful and horrendously grim, but I sighed in relief. Yeah, you heard me right. I sighed in relief. The lawless scenery was Great news. Great news because it wasn’t what I had thought it to be. It wasn’t Ralph and you-know-who that had been brawling. I don’t even know these guys. They were probably outstanding Alphas who were just made War Generals. Newbies who didn’t know the rules! That last part made me mad. “Both of you. Step forward!” I commanded. I know I sounded like my Dad again, but it
{Isla’s POV} That Lavender fragrance mixed with sweet sandalwood scent bathed my senses as I ambled on. The whiff dominated the air. Cayden was around alright. I continued on my way, a part of me now conscious of his presence. Cora seemed disturbed, but I didn’t speed up my pace. Gone are those days when he would make my heart beat faster and my blood flush vehemently through my veins. I wasn’t that person anymore and I know I’ve said this like a hundred times but, I was the fucking future Queen of Canine Reigns. He’ll bow to me now. I spotted him from some paces away on the cross pathway. I knew he was headed for the Combat Arena, the opposite of my destination. He was late. This was no time for a Reignile War General to be in attendance. Offense Number One. I straightened my pose and he grew uneasy as we grew closer to each other. I could feel it. “Good day, Princess.” He greeted me in that familiar deep rumble he called his voice and as much as his wordings were odd to
{Isla’s POV} So Kayla. My nineteen year old kid Sis, who has been away for three years at Medical school. Kayla had always wanted to be a Physician so my Dad had sent her away to learn how and now, she was finally back! Fuck you, loneliness! In your face, boredom! Get the hell out, desolation! My sister was finally here and I wasn’t alone anymore. I had been so excited to see her and we had spent the whole night catching up on each other’s lives. Oh, and I promise. No more surprises. My mother only gave birth to two girls. The ones seated on a bed amidst the humid air, having an emotional chat. “—what’s her name again?” “Ivanka…” “Ivanka!” Kayla scowled. “That girl’s a demon. She’s the one I detest most!” “Well, I hate all of them! The whole fucking family. And I won’t rest until they all are swimming in the dust.” “Woah woah. Chill out, Sis. You sound like a fucking witch.” She mouthed with a chuckle before she poured her clothes on my bed from her box. She had a point.
{Isla’s POV} Gazel left. Cayden was coming. —The War General that everyone suddenly adored, even my Kayla. Even though she tries to deny it. I know. I’m not dumb, and I think I hate her now. There are so many other stunning single Stags in the Palace and she decides to fancy Cayden. They all admire blindly. They adore him but they don’t know the tainted heart that lies within. They don’t know how cruelty is the very air he breathes. But that’s where I come in. I would scourge him to the extent that his true colors burn out through his skin. I would rack him until he breaks— until he begs! “Princess, you called me?” That deep rumble. I hauled myself from my galling thoughts and stared at the one man who could make hope hopeless. Who could make fate faithless. Who made my worth worthless. “General.” I mouthed, soaking in the feeling of my superiority over him. “How has your new environment been treating you so far?” “Good.” “The Lord Alpha?” “Kind.” “The Lord Luna?”
{Cayden’s POV}Isla had taken me out of the guest chambers and had brought me to this shack of a room like I was some slave. And as if that wasn’t outrageous enough, she had slapped me earlier. Why? Because I had stopped her from falling.Intolerable!I’m Alpha Cayden Hunter and I’ll be a slave to no one!She was making her way out now, pride dripping off her very shoulders. I might just have to kill it!“You’re trying too hard, Isla.” I voiced into the air. My voice sounded more bold and stentorian than ever, and I liked how it hit her.She swerved and glared at me, a heavy hint of shock and a small pinch of confusion plastered on her face. She couldn’t believe her ears. I had been too cold to suddenly become this hot. Well, it’s what I do… but, in my kindness, I’ll give her a confirmation of what she thought she heard wrongly.“But it’s never going to be enough to break me.” I added and her scowl extended.I watched her light up in the flames of her anger and I relished it.I wasn’t
{Isla’s POV}“Tea, my Princess?”“No.”“What about some—”“I’m not hungry Andrea!” I yelled“I’m sorry.” Sometimes, you just can’t resist a cute tiny voice and can’t just yell at the owner.Argh!“Andrea, I’m sorry.” I sat up on the bed. She was seated at the edge. “I’m not exactly in the best of moods. I’m sorry for yelling at you.” I apologized.She smiled and crept closer. “But what’s wrong?” Her voice was lined with concern.I didn’t feel like talking about it but Andrea seemed so concerned that refusing her might be considered a crime.“It’s Cayden.”Her concerned expression switched to shock. “The dishy General?”“Andrea!” Okay, this was a bad idea. A very bad one. I shouldn’t have said anything.“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” She tied my hands in hers. “He’s not dishy. I promise!”Okay, that was cute. I smiled.“He’s evil!” I continued.“Evil? Wh… what do you—”“I mean, he’s evil! He’s not the peaceful General he pretends to be.” I mouthed, clenching my fists tightly together. “He
{Isla’s POV} I was in my room now. Staring at my reflection in my makeup mirror. Styling my hair. Preparing to go for another meeting in the Court Hall. Oh, and I had a big smile on. I had a big smile on my face because yesterday went well. Too well In Fact. Everything had gone sweetly as planned. Mr. Untruee had acted his role perfectly. The fake report had claimed my Dad’s belief. My Dad had called off the setting of the Surveillance camp in the North. Cayden had grown angry at this falsity, and he had objected to his majesty’s decree. He, a general, had yelled in the Lord Alpha’s court. This had made my Dad seethe with rage. Cayden had committed two offenses yesterday. One, speaking without being called upon. Two, speaking in the first place. Generals don’t speak in the Lord Alpha’s Court, only Court wolves do. My Dad had censured Cayden and in his annoyance had adjourned the Council meeting. Cayden was required to come over to today’s Council meeting to apologize to the
{Isla’s POV}I was robed in a very elegant dress, and the dress was beautiful this time because my belly wasn’t 30 centimeters big anymore. It was coming down to its normal size.It was the break of dawn, since I had spent the rest of last night giving birth, and the sunrise was beautiful. I stood now, watching it from my Chamber’s east window, and just then, I felt a hand trail around my waist before I took in the calling scent of my mate and father of my child.His scent and the scent of our Son were my two most familiar scents in the world. I’m still getting used to the latter since he only just arrived a few hours ago— but I’m getting used to it fast.“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” I asked Cayden, staring at the overlying colors of red, orange, and blue clothing in the skies as the sun rose.“It sure is.” Cayden responded, his voice sweet and gentle. “But it can never match your beauty, my Queen.” He added and I blushed violet.“Well, I know someone who is more stunning than me and t
{Isla’s POV}I groaned and then I struggled to push my eyelids open. It was weighty but I overcame it and became conscious to a piercing sound ringing near my ears.… and then I realized it sounded like a baby. At once, my eyes stretched wide open and I threw my gaze in the direction of the sound to see Cayden sitting before me, carrying what I suspected in his arms.A Cub. Seeing it, I became aware of the pressure on my finger and I looked to see that the Cub was holding my finger. I promptly looked back at Cayden, wanting to get some sort of clarification from him.He smiled warmly at me and leaned in to kiss me deeply on my forehead. I closed my eyes as he did so.“I was never going to let you leave me.” He said with tears in his eyes as he pulled away and then he gently handed me the baby. “Meet our Son.”A wave of warmth swept over my body as I motioned to carry the baby. I felt very weak all around my body but grabbing hold of the baby seemed to revitalize me. And make me emo
{Cayden’s POV}The rhythmic sound of an infantile cry filled the room and the moment I rested my eyes on our Cub, I froze completely.It was pink, breathing and crying. It was real.The Midwives carried the Cub happily and came close to me. “My King, It’s a boy.” One of them announced as they attempted to hand him over to me but then I was unresponsive. It was hard to move a muscle and I could only just stare.The Midwives proceeded to talk to me but then their voices sounded muffled to my hearing and it felt like the world had faded behind me. It felt like it was now only I, the baby, and Isla that were in the room— the family I had created. And I stared between both of them and tears glossed up my eyes. I was scared.But then I was…I was happy. Very happy.I couldn’t believe that this moment was real.I had a son.I finally had a child… with the woman I loved. I finally started my own family. “Your Majesty!”“My King!” I kept hearing them call me with their seemingly muffled vo
{Isla’s POV}I felt my blood pressure rise and its volume pushing against my veins as the maids and Midwives surrounded me in their attempt to lead me to my Chambers.But then Cayden offered to carry me and he did but he immediately put me down as I let out another piercing cry. Carrying me made it worse.It felt like my groin was tearing apart.My water broke and tension swept into our midst. But I still preferred to walk.And so, planting my arms on the shoulders of a midwife on my left and Cayden on my right, I painfully started strolling. The entire Hall of Blissful Lovers was dead quiet now as they all stared in my direction and I knew that this occurrence had successfully put, on hold, every after-party or post-celebration that was to happen.I didn’t want that.My mum and the rest of my General family rushed from the crowd to meet me now, and when they got us, they visibly panicked seeing my pain-stricken face. My mum immediately ran to me. “Isla!” She voiced. “Are you—”I gn
{Isla’s POV}The Divine bliss.That unearthly feeling… It poured on the Reigns as the Full moon poked itself through the Reignile Skies into visibility. It was magnificent.It was powerful and I could just feel its empyrean effect throughout the stretch of my body. Wolves started howling as fated mates found one another. I immediately turned to Daniel and Andrea to find out that they hadn’t marked each other yet. They didn’t need to…They were mates— fated mates! Fate had divinely bound them together!The Moon goddess does pay attention. “They are fated to each other!” I screamed and jumped. My mum and Cayden looked at me smiling beautifully too.“Yes, they are.” Cayden said with an obvious elation in his voice.“Which is no surprise. The moon goddess knows the right souls to pair, and Daniel and Andrea look right for each other.” My mother contributed and stroked my back comfortingly.I couldn’t stop smiling and staring at them as they hugged each other now. It was beautiful and t
{Isla’s POV}As I had calculated, there was still time for Andrea to do everything she wanted on my skin and my claws. After having a bout of entertainment— going to the dungeons and killing that Butcher Cunt, sitting in that make-up chair for a few more hours wasn’t so bad. I didn’t feel that bored anymore, and in less time than I expected, Andrea was done.I was in my beautiful Royal maternity dress— which was most importantly comfortable while Andrea was in a purple silk dress— the same one I had worn years ago when I had started this journey of hatred to love and scoff to intimacy. She looked beautiful and I had almost worn my cheeks off smiling at her. We were ready to leave now. It was nighttime and an hour to when the full moon would reveal itself and the moment felt divinely peaceful. But then Cayden arrived and we both had to start acting. — Andrea was not very good at acting or lying so it became an issue when Cayden asked what the two of us had been doing all day asides g
{Isla’s POV}I forced my eyes open and blinked, and then I realized I was in the Royal Clinic.I immediately shot up to a sitting position to look at my belly. It was still huge and there was no blood anywhere. I sighed. “Hey hey.” A deep voice said and Cayden gripped me comfortingly. I turned to him with a look of relief. “It’s okay. You’re okay. You just got dizzy and fainted so we had to bring you here.” He said and he pulled me into his arms and hugged me. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there.” He apologized.“Mh-hmm.” I wrapped lazy arms around him and hugged him back and then he kissed me on the forehead afterwards. “Your Mum and Andrea…” He started to say but then the people in question stormed into the room just then. “Isla…” My mum rushed towards us and stole me away from Cayden’s clinch. “Are you okay?” She cupped my cheeks and ran her gaze around my body.“Yes, mum. I’m fine.” I said to her and she sighed.“We brought you food.” She said as she placed a plate of some vegetables and
{Isla’s POV}It was now two days to the Night of the Full Mating Moon and preparations were heavily ongoing. This would be one of the biggest celebrations for a full Mating moon night so we had to make a lot of preparations and provisions.During the Last Full Mating Moon, the Reigns was in turmoil and there was bloodshed due to the Lycans’ attack, and so the natural process of being mated had been disrupted, meaning fated mates couldn’t conveniently meet each other and establish their union. So this next Full Moon which was just a few days away now was more like a combined ceremony— a re-celebration for those that had been mated last time and a mating Ceremony for those who were about to be mated this time around.So it was going to be wildly amazing with a huge love-filled crowd, but the best part?My best friend was going to be part of that crowd.I’ve hugged Andrea like a thousand times before now. And it would have been up to a million if Shrilly wasn’t always coming to interrupt
{Isla’s POV}[Several months Later]Over the past few months, life has proved that having Cayden in my life as lover and King would make things better. The first time Cayden replaced me to go and hunt down the Rogue Lycans, we were only halfway into our feast when reports came back that Cayden had caught the Pilfers— yes, I had sent some guards to monitor the process.Not that I didn’t trust Cayden but it had been my first time completely letting go of my responsibilities for another person to handle. So I had been really worried and couldn’t help but pry. But as expected, Cayden had effortlessly trashed and captured the Rogue Lycans and he’s been doing so ever since. We had tried several times to squeeze more information from these captured Rogue Lycans regarding where their other gang settlements were but it had been in vain. They preferred to be tortured and wounded rather than talk, so we had to carry on with our blind hunt for the rest. But then, the amazing part was that I di