|| ELINDA'S POV ||
The whiskey felt bitter in my throat. Nausea threatened to come out of my mouth. The party became non-existent to me. All I could see was the pair of blue eyes that haunted me in my dreams.
Was I dreaming?
Alberto's voice cleared the least amount of uncertainty that I was holding on to,
" Aah! Alexis. Sorry, you know that I forget everyone when I am with my sister."
Alexis's eyes weren't leaving mine. He stood there numbly, his eyes darkening as if I was the worst thing that could happen in his life. My heart was pounding hard against my chest. Alberto pulled him up to me, his hand hanging around Alexis's neck,
" Elinda! Meet my favorite buddy, Alexis Kozlov, the Do...Aah...He is my best friend and the head of Dark Crescent Mauranders. We went to the same university."
Fuckfuckfuck!
Why did I have the worst luck?
Alexis Kozlov? Why did I feel like I had never heard this surname of him before?
I bit my lips together, unable to keep the rage and pain within me. Alberto cleared his throat before asking awkwardly,
" You...you don't know about Dark Crescent Mauranders, do you?"
Fuck! I didn't even want to know!
I replied with a forced smile,
" No. I don't remember the information of unimportant people."
Alberto shot me a narrowed look. He probably hated me for insulting his best friend. But trust me, my hatred was stronger than his friendship. Leonid spoke with a chuckle, his eyes going down to my body,
" It seems like your sister doesn't like Mauranders much."
The name gave a thrill, a dark and dangerous vibe which left me with questions. Even the innocent-looking boy was gone from Alexis's face. Instead, I saw a man with darkness. His icy blue eyes danced with mischievousness, his presence carrying the weight of the whole earth. His plain skin was gone. Instead, It was imprinted with several tattoos, light stable highlighting his features. He was a man of darkness now but was handsome in a sinful way.
Why was I even fucking attracted to my rejected mate?
My stomach churned into a tight knot when his eyes shifted from my pale face to the dress that I was wearing. It was a little revealing and I knew that it shocked him since I never wore something like this dress in Costa Rica.
Alberto rolled his eyes dramatically, hanging a hand around my neck,
" Oh come on, buddy. My sister is just too innocent. You will know eventually."
The hell he will!
A smirk tugged on Alexis's lips. He replied, tugging on his bottom lip,
" I am sure, I will."
Yes! He knew it well and he used my innocence as well!
I forced myself to not think about him, grabbed onto Alberto's hands, and dragged him along,
" Enough of your friend, Alberto. Let's cut the cake first. The guests are waiting."
I cut the cake, wearing the fake smile that I had been practicing for years. The little happiness that I felt with the arrival of my brother was gone. Alexis's presence haunted me and I couldn't help but feel chill whenever he was around. I also noticed that people kept a significant distance from Alexis. But they didn't stop shooting the admirable look his way.
The formal part of this party was finally done. As the future king, Alberto did his part and greeted the guests for coming here today. I excused myself from there to catch some fresh air. As I came to the corridor, attached to the hallway, Betty, my second cousin joined me. She was two years younger than me but she was fun to hang out with.
Betty grumbled, sipping her wine gracefully,
" Lord! I don't know how Brother Albert hangs out with this man. He is the scariest man in the whole city."
I stiffened at the thought of Alexis being scary. Trying to sound nonchalant, I responded calmly, curious to know about the man who was once my sweet mate,
" Umm..scary? Why is he into some.. detective jobs or.. cops?"
Betty burst into laughter as if I just had cracked a lame joke. I blinked my eyes at her naively, her reply took all the air from my lungs,
" Dari! You sure are still too pure. He is in the Mafia, the youngest head of the Bravta Lycans. Alberto should have warned you."
My eyes turned heavy as if the world was spinning. I expected something worse but this was the worst thing that I could expect in my fucking life. How could... that sweet boy Alexis become the head of the Mafia?
I was gasping for breath when a voice pulled our attraction on our back,
" Wow! I never thought that I was the hot topic of the town."
Betty gasped in shock, muttering a curse in Russian before excusing herself from the corridor. Alexis stood with his hands shoved in his pockets. I was still high in shock and his presence only pushed it further. He took a step forward and I felt myself curling back already.
His eyes narrowed but he didn't stop, took some lazy steps to stand in front of me. A smile played on his lips as he spoke to me for the first time in years,
" Long time, huh? You have changed a lot, Princess."
I hold the railing to stabilize my running heart. My instinct told me that I shouldn't recognize this man. He ruined me once and he would ruin me again. Once, I was an average girl but now I was the princess of the Vasiliev Dynasty. Swallowing hard, I mumbled my reply, keeping my eyes off his handsome face,
" Sorry...I..I don't know..you...You are just my brother's best.. friend.."
Something dark lurked in his eyes before his jaw hardened. I couldn't understand the reason behind his anger. It was him who rejected me and after everything, I didn't think that I had any reason to get familiar with him.
A sinful smirk played on his lips as he rasped in a husky voice,
" Oh right..But this brother's best friend knows how you moan when I eat your pussy, how you taste between your le.."
I cut him off with a scowl, blush creeping on my neck to remember the past,
" STOPP!! STOPP!! Why, Alexis? We have chosen our ways already. There is nothing to reminisce about."
I took a deep breath and pressed myself closer to him, his jaw ticking like a bomb,
" Remember! I am no longer the average girl who will take every shit of yours. I am the princess of the Vasiliev Dynasty. Even the breath that you are taking, belongs to my family. I am not going to take any shit of yours."
His gaze only hardened further but I was done with his dirty words. Stepping away, I made my way to Aunty Augusta who was chatting with some lady. She smiled big up at me as soon as I was close,
" Hello, love. What's up with you?"
I said through my gritted teeth, forcing myself not to think about the cold pair of eyes that were glaring at my back,
" Aunty Augusta, weren't you talking about your nephew? I..I am ready to go on a blind date with him."
My wolf inside me let out a growl of annoyance but I pushed it back in my mind. In no way, I would let Alexis Kozlov break my heart again.
|| ELINDA's POV || " Don't worry the paparazzi is here. This place is secured."I cracked a weak smile on my blind date, Edward Jones. He was next in the line to become the Alpha of the second-largest pack in this town. My birthday party was a disaster for me. All the while I had to tolerate the heated eyes of my ex-mate. Coming to this blind date would hopefully help me out.Edward looked nervous as he replied, grabbing the wine awkwardly," No. I am just nervous..in front of the Royal Princess."Fuck! Can someone please stop me from reminding me of that?Nobody dared to approach me before because of my Royal status. Even my blind dates were terrified whenever they found my identity. I didn't want to date someone introduced by my family. They always preferred social status over everything. After breaking my heart, I had only one wish in my life. To find someone who truly loved me!I avoided Leonid throughout the party. He seemed okay with my behavior. My brother was the only best th
|| ALEXIS's POV ||" You shouldn't be out there with some guy, Princess!"I grumbled, closing the door with a bang. She was startled by the sound but remained seated. Her expression said though it was better to be killed than riding with me in the same car. Elinda replied with a scoff, staring at the street ahead," You aren't my guardian. Stop acting like one."My jaw clenched tight in anger. I would have never come if her brother didn't request me. I owed Albert too much. If I knew about her real identity, I wouldn't have screwed her anyways. I replied patiently, gripping the steering wheel," I am saying for your own good. You could have been photographed by the papparazi."The words didn't settle right into her ears. She turned black before spurting with mockery," At least it's better to be photographed with a Commoner than a monster in disguise?"It took all the strength away from me. My veins turned white in anger. Before I could know, I had grasped her by her head, pulling her
|| ELINDA'S POV ||" I AM NOT LEAVING YOU, ALBERT! NO FUCKING WAY!"I couldn't believe my own ears. Albert had decided to send me away for a few months. He refused to explain why it was necessary for me to hide.Alexis and Albert had been talking secretly ever since Alexis brought me here. He had managed to escape the group that was aiming bullets at us. I was pretty sure that it was all because of Alexis. Albert was never a man who attracted troubles or had any dark business like Alexis. I just couldn't understand how they became friends.Albert spoke in a firm voice, looking at me stressfully," You..Listen to me, Elinda. Whatever I am doing, it's for your own good. Trust me, no one in the family cares for you more than me. Be a good girl and join me in the family dinner tomorrow."I opened my mouth to say something but Alexis cut off between, shooting me a longing look," I hope, you remember the gunshots, Princess."A chill went down to my spine at the mention of gunshots. I decid
|| ALEXIS's POV ||" Give me the name, Hector!"I spilled it out threateningly, holding the shovel close to me. Hector refused to answer, his eyes sliding between me and the shovel. He understood that I wasn't kidding with him anymore. Hector muttered, his eyes darkening with fear slowly," It's.. just me..no one else..I wanted to kidnap the princess.. that's it..."He was lying again. The mastermind might have held something against him. But I had no mercy over the man who tried to hurt Elinda. Rejected mate or not, I was fucking possessive over that girl. I replied with a smirk, pulling out the gun from my waist," It looks like I am wasting my time."Hector finally looked terrified. He kept shaking his head nervously, trying to stop me," No..no.. listen to me, Don. You can't do this. No!!!"I ignored his pleading, commanding with a low growl," SHIFT!! I SAID SHIFT, HECTOR!"At first, he wasn't complying. When I placed my finger on the trigger, he began to shift into his ash-furre
|| ELINDA'S POV || " That's better..."" After changing ten times?"Alexis sneered at me hatefully. He knew that it was my other way to show my distress and hatred for him. I accepted the decision made by my brother. He arranged to live with Alexis except for the fact that Alexis's betrayal crossed my mind again and again whenever I saw his face.I scoffed back, leaning against the door frame," You said that I can get whatever I want."Alexis's eyes hardened on me but his men changed my curtains for the last time. A victorious smirk played on my lips to notice how annoyed he was. I wanted to bore no good wishes for him. A man like him deserved more than my hatred.Alexis dismissed the crowd before I could finish my words, his glare setting on me this time," Wait...I still need one more pair...."My words were stuck as soon as he crossed the room and gripped my jaw. Pain shot through my bones as he emphasized each one of his words," Listen to me, Princess. We have left our fucking
|| ELINDA's POV ||It was insane how easily people could judge you. Matteo's indirect insult at me only made me angrier. Fiona stretched her hands out to drag me outside. One sharp glare from my eyes, her wolf shuddered, taking a step back to show submission.Matteo shot me another glare but he couldn't meet my eyes anymore. When a Royal took charge, average wolves couldn't stand the dominant power in front of her. I spat firmly, taking a step forward to the boy," Stay back. I can fix him. If I fail, you are allowed to insult me."Matteo retorted weakly, staying a few steps away since he couldn't enter inside my dominance wave," You... don't.. you will kill him."I ignored his words and opened up my mouth to bite on my wrist. Blood leaked out of it, sliding it down to my skin. I held it down on the lips of the dying boy. Fiona grumbled impatiently," What are you doing, witch? You will kill him."I ignored her unnecessary banter. Moments afterward, the boy started coughing violently
|| ELINDA'S POV ||" Yeah! Everything is fine here. Just tell me..how long will I have to stay here?" I asked my brother on the phone, feeling suffocated to live in this mansion where I couldn't go out. I felt ashamed for offering myself to him so easily. It was just a matter of time that I lost control of myself.Alberto assured me, his tone sounded hurried," Soon, dear sister. You are in good hands. Just enjoy your vacation."Fuck the vacation! It was more suitable to live in the street than my rejected mate!Alberto didn't extend the conversation anymore. He cut off our words and hung up. I released a heavy sigh and walked near the big window. A black car had just entered the field at a remarkable speed. Matteo and his other team members dragged a woman out. The face of that woman was swollen. It seemed like she was being abused before dragging her here.I spotted Leonid in his kingly position. He was surrounded by men as the woman was presented in front of him.Did he want to ki
|| ELINDA's POV ||" What...are you doing?"I muttered nervously, the knife in her hand glittering dangerously under the bright light. The woman said nothing and then charged at me. She held the knife under my throat before laughing into my ears," I didn't think that it would be easy to fool the princess. Tsk...now call your fucking brother and tell him to accept me as his princess."My thoughts went blank at the mention of my brother. What did she do with my brother? What the hell was happening?I swallowed hard under the threat of her knife. Then I remembered once my brother said to me that my goodness would be my doom one day. At that moment, I hated myself more than anyone. I muttered a reply, waiting for someone to show up," He ...is busy these days..He won't probably pick up..my phone..."The woman sneered into my ears, pressing the knife harder into my skin," You fucking woman! He is never busy with his sister. CALL HIM! LET ME SPEAK!"" PRINCESS!!"The sound of a deep metal
" Just wear it off, Stella! You can do it."Alenzo encouraged me, patting my shoulder. My last hope of resistance was gone. I thought that Alenzo would save me from ruining my image. But he rather appreciated the idea of Knox. Alenzo continued, eyeing the black swan dress," I believe that this dress is made for you, Stella. Just be natural and wear your dress with confidence."He made it clear that he couldn't go against the wish of Knox Vitalies. Alenzo needed an investor for a long time. After a year of struggle, he finally managed to bug a big check from a big company like Vitalies. I bit down my lips to stop the cursing. I hated Knox's possessive side. If he found out about our other son, I would be doomed.I finally gave up, releasing a long sigh," Okay! I will do it for the company."Alenzo gave a big smile, relief flashing across his face," Thank goodness! My best wishes to you, Stella."I cracked a weak smile. It had been years since I walked on the ramp. I was nervous as h
The soft hum of conversation and the clinking of porcelain filled the small café, yet I felt detached from it all. I sat across from Daniel, the man who had come to my rescue not once, but twice. His presence was both reassuring and unsettling, a strange mix of comfort and danger that I couldn’t quite place. I wrapped my hands around the ceramic mug, the warmth seeping into my cold fingers, grounding me in this moment."Thank you, Daniel," I said, my voice barely rising above a whisper. I couldn’t meet his gaze, the intensity of his dark eyes too much to bear. "For saving me. Twice."Daniel’s expression softened, though only slightly. His sharp features remained stoic, but there was a flicker of something—concern, perhaps—in his eyes. "I did what needed to be done," he replied, his tone as calm and controlled as ever. "You don’t need to thank me."The words hung between us, heavy and unspoken truths lingering just beneath the surface. I had so much I wanted to say, questions I wanted
* SLAP *I fell on the floor after my father hit me. It was the first time that he raised his hand at me. His shouting resonated all through the room," YOU!! JERK!! I WILL SHOOT YOU!"He tried to snatch the gun from my so-called driver. I wanted to laugh at myself for my stupidity. I trusted the man that my father set me up. Keegan didn't pass the gun immediately. He tried to convince my father, but his deep concerned voice only raised my temper," Sir, you shouldn't act violence. She is still young and has so much to learn. Let her go!"I sneered at his concern. Only if it wasn't for him, I would have gone far away. I pushed my father to do what he wanted," Go on! DO IT! Kill me, Dad. If my mother wasn't an issue on your way, why would I?"My father's eyes darkened in rage within a nanosecond. He raised his hand again to slap me then Keegan interrupted with his words," The press has arrived, Sir. We need to give a valid reason for her missing."Suddenly Dad came back to his senses
" I will let you know who can take the lead of our pack. Thank you Grandma for your trust."I accepted the offer after Konstantine gave me support. That guy really had the power on me. Jessica was sobbing in my mother's arms. She blabbered that grandmother didn't give her anything only because she was the adopted child.I shook my head and laughed bitterly. My parents still couldn't trust that Jessica was actually sad for losing the Alpha position. I was tired of their drama and made my way outside. Alex's voice stopped me from going further," Elena, Stop! STOP!!!"I cursed under my breath and stopped to look up at him. He spoke uneasily, his earlier arrogance was gone," Jessica is heartbroken. Considering your rank, you should have passed the position to her willingly."I sneered at his words with disgust," So you think that I should pass my rights to her just because she is miserable? Alex, you have always been a fool. I won't make the same mistake twice."I tried to walk away wh
Eliana stood in the middle of her new art gallery, watching as guests wandered through exhibits with practiced smiles and empty praise. Her soul poured into the work lining the walls, the admiring glances of the visitors felt warm.She noticed how the heads of employees, the guests praised her slightly, addressing her with caution attitude. Something wasn't right.She happened to catch one of her assistants whispering to another before his eyes darted away, having noticed hers. It clicked in the form of lead in her chest. Daniel!She clamped her jaw tight; the last thing she needed was for people to treat her differently because of him. It was suffocating.It was as if it had been called up by her thoughts that the deep rumble of an engine outside made her turn toward the entrance. The moment Daniel stepped in, the room's air shifted. Conversations paused, and glances darted his way before flicking elsewhere, almost as if the people were frightened of even looking at him."Enjoying the
|| ALEXIS's POV ||" No guards around us today? Are you sure, Mafia Alex?"Elinda teased me with a smile. Although she was indirectly insulting, I could see the little smile on the corner of her lips. She was happy to get a free day.After much confrontation, I wished to give her a day like a normal girl. I replied coldly, concealing any sort of emotions that she tried to notice on my face," Yes! A day that I promised you. Now behave. No one will question you here."She smiled big and walked by my side. It was a pool party, thrown by my old friends here. They didn't know about my business here nor did they recognize her as the Royal Princess.Sammer rushed over to us as soon as he spotted us coming together. He pulled me into a tight hug, teasing after stealing the look of Elinda," And who is this pretty lady? I have never seen you bringing any woman to our party. Who is this lucky girl, huh?"Before I could say something, Elinda replied coldly, leaving a strong gap between our rela
" Strip Now!!"His raging voice evaporated against the noises of werewolves, screaming around the valley. Seraya couldn't see anything except smoke around her pack house, the begging of women, and children's cries. Her ignorance towards his command was only pushing his rage to the edge. No one ever dared to humiliate her in that way. " I said, STRIP!!", the command came with a loud whip on her back, forcing her knees to fall on the ground.Rafe Sullivan Anderson held the chain high, his eyes gleaming in deep rage and hatred toward the woman on the ground. Seraya coughed lightly at the smoke, flaring her nostrils to travel into her stomach. Her tears blurred in tears, her wolf refusing to submit but she figured out that her disobedience would turn everything worse.Her beloved ' The Moon Eyed ' pack was under attack by the most ferocious, cruel pack on earth ' The Night Howlers Pack '. Even if she fought with her all night, she wouldn't be able to save anyone. She clutched the hard so
The next day dawned with an air of anticipation that hung over the castle like a thick veil. Excitement permeated the corridors, and the usual hustle and bustle seemed amplified. The source of this fervor was palpable—the impending arrival of Isabella's child, the next generation of Alphas. As I navigated the castle's bustling halls, I couldn't escape the wave of jubilation that engulfed every corner.Former Alpha and Luna, adorned in regal attire, exchanged smiles and congratulations with the pack members. The maids, once familiar faces in my daily life, moved about with a newfound energy, their conversations laced with excitement about the prospect of an heir.Amidst the celebratory atmosphere, I felt a stark contrast—a gnawing emptiness that seemed to grow with each passing moment. The weight of my status as a slave pressed upon me, exacerbating the ache of exclusion. I moved through the castle like a phantom, invisible in the sea of anticipation.Former Luna, her eyes gleaming wit
The news of Isabella's pregnancy reached me through the insidious whispers of the maids, their mocking tones slicing through the air like an unseen dagger. The revelation struck me with an unexpected force, a blend of hurt and betrayal settling in the pit of my stomach. How could my mates, Dominico and Zavier, keep such a significant development from me? As the realization dawned, I decided to confront Isabella, seeking answers to the questions that threatened to unravel the fragile threads of trust.The castle corridors echoed with the soft padding of my footsteps as I made my way to Isabella's chambers. The flickering torches cast shadows that seemed to dance along the walls, mirroring the tumultuous emotions that churned within me. Isabella's door loomed ahead, and I took a steadying breath before knocking.The door swung open, revealing Isabella's smirking visage. "Well, well, if it isn't Cassendra, the overlooked one," she taunted, her tone dripping with mockery.I squared my sho