You're right if you noticed a change in Isla’s attitude… Her father and the King is dead, so she's broken… and such a feeling can linger for a while.. See you in the next one…
{Isla’s POV} I turned around to meet his eyes. The last time I had seen them, they had fear and angst in them but now, they seemed calmer. “Isla.” He said my name as he retrieved his arm. “Ralph...” I managed to mutter. He had a sad look on his face that irritated me. I don’t want the pity treatment. I’m not weak! This incident makes me stronger than it makes me weak. My Dad would want that. So I have to be strong for him. “I’m sorry.” He said and I forced a weak smile. “I’m alright, Ralph.” It was surprising that out of everyone, he’s the only one I’m given this much audience to. But I’m done. I started to stroll away. But then he called me again. “Isla…” I turned back around. “I know a lot stands between us. A lot of odd energy, past issues.. a lot! But I just want to let you know that if you ever need someone to talk to, this jerk is always here for you.” He said nicely, and I smiled. Genuinely this time. The last one had been skillfully faked. “Thanks, Ralph.”
{Cayden’s POV}I hate being beaten in a battle but not as much as I hate being jailed in a freaking hospital. But yesterday, I was finally released and the relief that had brought me was measureless.Those Lycans had really thrashed me up, so a 6-day length for recovery wasn’t unexpected. And even my survival is to be considered a miracle as I had lost a huge amount of blood to certify me to have a moonlit dinner with death.But that aside, today was Isla’s coronation. She was becoming Queen of the Reigns.Today!I’m not sure what the sudden rush is about but I didn’t doubt Isla’s capabilities. She’ll make a great Queen.I know. I know I’ve said otherwise in the past but I had been stupidly blinded then. My hatred and anger had clouded my judgment so that I saw an unskilled she-wolf instead of seeing a young determined Princess striving to make sure her loved ones— her people aren’t treated unfairly.“Can I come in?” A voice said and I swiveled around to see my mum’s head poking out t
{Cayden’s POV}I didn’t know when my mouth grew a slight gape. Isla had stolen all of my consciousness so that I didn’t have any left to moderate myself.She was ravishing and the gasps all around me from the crowd was a very strong proof.Isla had on a sky-blue ball dress embellished with hand-stitched pearls and shimmering Swarovski crystals arranged in a delicate floral pattern.It caught the light and reflected warm colors that complement the soft glow of her skin and rosy complexion, capturing the very essence of elegance and grace. I couldn’t marvel more.Her hair was styled into an elegant updo, decorated with tiny white blossoms but I immediately drove my gaze away. What I was seeing was magical and I didn’t deserve to even look at her. But then again, I couldn’t stop myself. My eyes automatically roamed without my permission until it fell again on Isla. She was smiling now but I could see mighty clouds of pain hidden behind that one smile.She was hurting. She had the pain
{Cayden’s POV} Lord Naí Charlotte had placed the crown gingerly on Isla’s head and the crowd had flown up in an ear-piercing whoop. All around me, the people were dancing and adoring their new Queen and it was obvious that they loved her and trusted her to rule them. Even though I had futilely stolen her for two years, they still didn’t lose trust in her. Unlike me, they still saw the value in her and made her know she was special to them. I have been very skillful at doing the opposite. I drove my gaze back to Isla now and she had a wide smile on. It looked really genuine, a clear sign that she loved being their Queen— even though she was not in a very clear state of mind to rule. That’s Isla. Selfless and kind. The crowd suddenly grew quiet. It was time for the speech. The Lord Luna’s first speech. Everyone was dead quiet now as they gazed in eagerness for the sound of her voice. She started. “Werewolves of the Canine Reigns. It is with a heart full of appreciation and d
{Isla’s POV} Being a Princess was fun while it lasted. But being a Queen? Let’s see how that goes. I was in my Chambers now. It had been upgraded to a more standard level. Another ‘constructive’ idea of my mum. —who seems to be overly excited about my coronation more than even me, the crowned. But that aside… What does a Queen do? When she wakes up in the morning? What does she do before she dresses up for the day? Pray or exercise? … or both? How does she walk? How does she talk? When and how does she eat? Is there a limitation to how she eats bread? Is she restricted from being best friends with a maid? Can she still do backflips in the Courtroom? I could keep going, a thousand more times. One week after my Coronation and I still haven’t figured so many things out. So many questions, and so few answers. And I’m left to find the answers myself. “Andrea.” I called Andrea who was busy folding some clothes near the Wardrobe— the same wardrobe that I saved her from be
{Iska’s POV}“You sure you want to do this, my Queen?” Ralph asked to confirm as we circled around to measure the space for our battle.“You scared?” I smirked.“I’m concerned. But I’ll go easy on you instead.”“Don’t flatter yourself, Ralph.”“I can’t help it. Remember the last time we fought?” He tipped up a brow. “I do but you’ll be making a huge mistake if you judge me with past instances.” “I’m not judging you, Your Highness. I’m only reminding you so you won’t underestimate me.”“I think you’re the one underestimating me here.”“And am I wrong for doing that?”“The results of this fight will be your answer to that question,” I said and stood in my battle position. By now, most of the Combatants had noticed what was going about to happen and had surrounded us on every side, creating a circle of spectators.To most of them that were new, this was the fight of the Century— The Queen against one of her Generals. That’s definitely something you don’t see every day. But their amus
{Isla’s POV} I had dismissed Andrea and my other entourage as I needed to face this alone. — not alone though. With the help of the old witch. Hopefully, my mum would be able to help me locate her. I got to my mum’s Chambers now and strolled in without knocking. My urgency entitled me to do so. “Isla?” My mum said, gazing at me from the opposite side of the room, “Mum, where and how can I find her?” I asked urgently and my mum got up from her chair and made her way towards me. “Who?” She looked confused. “The creepy Old lady.” “Natgy?” She asked, reminding me of her name. But I think I’ll still stick with ‘Creepy Old Lady’. “Yeah, her. You know her right?” “I.. wh- why do you want to see her?” “I need answers. Something weird is happening to me, Mum.” I remembered I hadn’t told her about my problem yet. “I feel… strange inside .” “What do you mean, strange inside?” She laid a hand on my back and guided me to sit on the bed. “I don’t know, mum. I.. I—” “Calm down.” She m
{Isla’s POV} “I have to ask. How do you do that? Like how do you know when to appear?” I asked Natgy, trying to tuck away my fright. Unlike my mother, I was scared by her sudden appearance. I know a Queen is supposed to be bold and all, but give me time. She smiled. “Good day, my Queen.” She greeted me and turned to my mother. “Good day, Lord Naí.” “Good day, Natgy,” My mother greeted back, for which Natgy smiled before turning to me. “I’m guessing your mother has told you about our zany history?” “Y- you both will have to excuse me. I have to attend to some paperwork in my study regarding Isla’s coronation and shifting of office. Have a nice chat.” My mother said and made her way out, dismissing herself from the dialogue. I could tell she was uncomfortable with Natgy around, and if I could tell, Natgy could tell too. “Y- yeah.” I continued, turning my attention back to Natgy. “She told me about how you’re not old and ugly.” “I told you.” Natgy giggled but then she grew bac
{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