GinevraThe wedding's tomorrow.I've been locked up in Alaric's home for two days. He has my foot chained to his bed, and my hands cuffed apart.Why?Because the moment I'd awoken to him trying to touch me, I fought like a cornered animal, desperate to rip him apart.I'm only let out of the chains when I need to attend to my needs, and even then, on the first day, I tried more times than I can remember to jump through the window, after knocking out the guards he'd sent to watch me.It had earned me being thrown into his room with windows too little for even my arm to go through, and shorter chains.But that was a day ago, before he'd returned with the news of Sinclair's death. I didn't want to believe him, until he'd dumped Sinclair's bloodied shirt in my bed as a souvenir. At first, I'd been consumed by hysteria and grief. I'd screamed for hours until I'd lost my voice, cursing my existence, making demands that he kill me so I could die as well.I didn't think I cared enough,
I stare at nothing in particular as my father and Alaric make arrangements for tomorrow. My fingers are folded neatly in my lap, a picture of subservience. My gaze drifts between the Lycan King Fenrir, and Alaric. I wonder which of them is the lesser evil.Alaric who ruined my life, or the King who would have forced his son spend the rest of his life with a woman he didn’t love. Said woman is me. Rune, my ex, is the Lycan King’s son, and the only heir to the throne. We might have married, were it not for Rune’s last minute epiphany to dump me at the altar.I wonder what it would have been like to take Sinclair down my horrible memory lane while he held me against his chest. Would he have kissed my cheek and promised to love me like no one else could?I guess I’ll never find out.A tear drops on my finger, startling me, and I wipe at my cheek swiftly to hide it. Someone extends me a tissue and I find Astrid peering down at me with worry in her eyes. “Need to talk?”I glance at Alaric t
GinAstrid comes for me a little after midnight, sneaking into my room with the stealth of a phantom thief. It makes me wonder just how many times she's done this.She tosses me a cloak and gently pushes the window open, her gaze scanning the darkness beyond. "I'll go ahead, scout the area, and signal with a rock if it's safe."I nod and Before she could leap out the window, I grabbed her arm, giving it a slight squeeze. "Thank you."A rare smile tugs at the corner of her lips, and a glint of silver dances in her blue eyes. "Don't go soft on me, Gin. This doesn't mean I like you."My lips twitch. "Likewise."Covering her flaming red hair with a black hood, she leaps out the window, dropping graceful, without a sound. She disappears into the night and I lean against the window, heart thundering in my chest as I anxiously wait for her signal.My eyes scans the darkness outside, searching for any sign of Astrid. Each passing second feels like an eternity as I strain to catch a glimp
*Sinclair* "Why the hell did you bring her?" My voice rumbles low, irritation etched into every syllable, as I keep a watchful eye on Ray Williams, whose incessant phone calls grate on my nerves. "She's been worried sick about Gin. I couldn't say no." I growl again. The fewer people involved, the smoother this operation will be. I had intended to go solo, but Dane insisted Ethan accompany me. He wants Ethan and I to mend our broken relationship over a trip to hell knows where. Laughable. "Could've and should've, but you didn't," I mutter, my gaze flicking briefly to Ray, who's managing to drive me even closer to the edge of my patience. "Just make sure she keeps quiet, or I'll toss you both out of this damn car." Ethan's expression twists into a sneer and yellow flashes in his eyes. "Just try." My responding smile is malicious. "You know I've been dying to." His jaw tightens and before he can respond, his phone beeps. He checks
*Sinclair*My father left when I was fifteen. His presence before than was fleeting. He'd disappear for weeks, sometimes months, without a word about his whereabouts.And when he came around, it only lasted for a few hours. That was how long they allowed visitors in the boarding school.His name? I never bothered to ask, never had enough curiousity to ponder on it either. Too happy that he even graced me with his presence, I would forget to ask the important questions.I'd only noticed he was truly gone when he'd stopped visiting. I'd found out some time later that he'd left me behind a fortune and a letter.I'd been more interested in the letter, having been a fool of a boy who yearned to be acknowledged by the only man he ever truly admired.But my father's letter only had one sentence scrawled on it. *Live, Norman.*"We're going around in circles," Naomi remarks, pulling me out of memory lane. She casts a pointed look at a mark she'd etched onto a tree an hour ago.Ray plops down o
GinevraI look pretty.But I can't stop sobbing.I think of Astrid and I wonder how she's faring. How long she'll be unconscious for. Possibly through the entire wedding.It doesn't matter though. When I refused to get dressed this morning, Alaric came into my room with a threat. Ithaca, was it? Do not forget that all that's needed to have your human friend and her family killed is a message from me.Those words were more than enough to compel me into the bath tub and into this dress that hangs loosely on me. I've lost a considerable amount of weight in the past couple of days; it's a wonder the dress even stays up at all.My father's fingers dig into my arm as we we approach the grand entrance of the hall. "Smile, Ginevra. This isn't a funeral."I turned to him, my voice trembling. "It might as well be, Father." I pause, unable to stop the tears that well up. "Why do you hate me so?"He stiffens, eyes turning cold. "Stop talking nonsense. I don't hate you.""Is it because I look
Huh. Father, Sinclair had called the Lycan King. I'm looking between them, noting the differences and similarities. Lycan King Fenrir has moon-white hair with green eyes that indicate the royal line. Sinclair has none of that, but the facial structure and expressions... it's like watching two opposites mirror each other. The stoic demeanor, the chilling, piercing stare, the overconfident poise, and most of all, the arrogant strut of a man who knows he owns the place. Yes. Sinclair's walking over to the dais, and the anger in his eyes has nothing to do with me or Alaric. At least, not yet. He's so angry, the aura in the hall has turned...red and hot. Fierce like a burning furnace. I gape at him. I've seen so many sides to him, but never this. Never this brooding, powerful male who could crush anything that stood in his path. I take a step forward, fingers twitching with the need to touch him. "Fenrir," Queen Zephyr breathes, rising fro
Ginevra"I thought you said he died!" Astrid squeals, her gaze darting back to Sinclair. He's locked in deep conversation with Ethan and Naomi while we wait for the portal behind the castle to be prepared for use. Sinclair had whisked me out of the hall, only to return and demand from Queen Zephyr and Rune, Where's the damn portal in this place?Rune had responded with a grunt, but Queen Zephyr had been far more obliging, telling him it was behind the castle, but needed some time to be prepared."Turns out Alaric's a horrible liar," I mutter, glancing towards my father. He's conversing with King Fenrir, making requests to have Sinclair detained for what he did. But King Fenrir has other things to worry about. Like a son whose sudden appearance just made his life complicated. Like the council now questioning whether Sinclair's claim is valid and there's talk of a duel to determine the rightful heir. Like Queen Zephyr's silent rage. Like the disbelief and hurt shimmering in Ru