JAKE'S POVI had always had a form of resentment for the Japhereth brothers. They had everything I could only dream of, and yet, they take it for granted. A family, status, hierarchy, fame, wealth... they even owned a damned family crest. It was just too much to bear. Made much worse by the unsettling experiences I had with them when they were just kids. My family had for a few years, worked as an on-and-off substitute gardener for the Japhereth family. And each time I was in the palace, I had known nothing but torment and a constant reminder that only those with everything had a say in every little matter.I thought his problems had come to an end when I met the Japhereth brothers, but little did I know it was the genesis of what made me the kind of werewolf I am today.The brothers had resulted in calling me “Wolf boy", because I had an unusual right ear as a kid, owning to a minor accident I had as a little kid, getting my ear stuck on a nail while playing with my friends.Each ti
ALARIC'S POV…I had met Aiden on the way to my room, and I used the opportunity to ask for any progress concerning the kidnappers that almost took our mate from us. From the corner of my eye, I could see Zelda watching us while Aiden and I talked. She seemed curious, but I had no intention of further involving her in this matter. I just had this feeling of impending doom, and putting her at arm's length seems like the best way I can protect her right now. At least until I get a sense of what's actually going on in the palace and the kingdom. There are surely forces in play here, and we needed to find them as soon as possible.After talking to Aiden for a few minutes, I learned two things. One, we really needed to find a way to get reliable information that concerned the palace. And two, the last clue we had, we'd lost.I couldn't bring myself to face Zelda right now, knowing I'd failed her. I was feeling really bitter and dejected. I had played different scenarios in my head, trying t
Zelda's POV.I had knocked at Alaric's door, hoping to talk to him and make sure he was okay. I haven't really seen him genuinely smile since my kidnap. He always seems so lost in thought, like a child missing his imaginary friend.I wanted to distract him and take him away from his unending sour mood as best as I could. And the only thing I felt I could do was annoy him into doing so. If only he'd open the door, though.Another knock and he's still not answering the door. I knew he was in because I could see a shadowy figure from underneath his door.“Is he okay? Do I barge in there?”. I asked myself.Doing that would make me seem desperate, and that'd defeat my main purpose of coming here. I need to remain steadfast and resolute.I knocked a few times more and I started feeling deflated and tired. So I decided to just sit and wait outside his door until he pops out. Eventually, he did. I was so glad to see him, I could feel this new surge of energy beginning to overwhelm me. I wante
Zelda’s POV I immediately turned around as I heard Alaric say he will train me, I couldn’t control my excitement as I asked him if he was serious, and he nodded in agreement. He seemed surprised by his agreement to my request, he awkwardly excused himself from the training ground, and I watched him walk away with a smile on my face.I couldn’t believe he agreed to train me because I mentioned Aiden, I just blurted that out and it worked. The fact that he is bothered about me spending time with Aiden, strangely makes me feel happy. I hummed to myself as I walked away, I entered my room with a melody of excitement resonating through every fiber of my being.As I looked ahead to the prospect of spending time with him, a playful dance of butterflies took flight within my stomach, I was nervous and at the same time eager to experience training with Alaric.In this state of excitement, time seemed to stretch and contract as I looked forward to the next day, training hard and becoming str
Alaric's POV.Things are finally starting to feel normal around here. Or that's what I'd like to say. I find myself reminiscing about the good times. The old days were really wonderful. How much I miss that, I'd give everything to have that back. Dad, Mum, Aiden even Ajax.I had wanted to take a short walk around the palace earlier in the day, but to my surprise, I found Zelda in the training ground, frantically trying to swing her weapon, almost too hard, as if trying to compensate for something. I couldn't help but laugh a bit.I watched around as she swayed her sword. She looked almost playful and innocent, and I couldn't help but watch her bask at the moment. She most certainly deserves it. I couldn't bring myself to interrupt her, and so I attempted to leave. But she turned around, almost immediately, catching me off guard, and then I found myself laughing.I sarcastically complimented her, and we talked for a bit before she asked me to train her. I had outrightly refused to do s
Zelda's POV.I had really looked forward to training with Alaric, it seemed like my chance to get closer to him and break all the walls he put up because of me. I knew that his influence and power over his emotion was waning, he was becoming much more accommodating. He even sees me for me now.I waited for him for hours in the training ground, my patience growing thin, and anger slowly creeping in. The least he could do was tell me he couldn't make it, and I wouldn't be feeling so disappointed. I decided I was going to confront him today and give him a piece of my mind. There was no reason for him to keep putting up this ruse of hating me. I was going to make him admit that he didn't feel hatred for me anymore, even if that was the last thing I would do.The training gear I had on was beginning to ooze out an offensive odor. “Of course this happens”. I murmured to myself. I had been standing here for the past two hours, with hope and anticipation. Now I just look like a fool. “Argh
Jake’s POVIt’s been days since I left a message for the one who hired me explaining how I was deeply sorry for how the plan turned out, the piece of paper couldn’t contain how much work I had put into this plan and how much I wanted this to work out.It took me days to come up with what to write and how to write it, I wish I could get an audience with whoever this person was, but I knew that was out of the question, it was obvious that he had no intention of revealing his identity and that didn’t bother me until now. Deep down, I knew there would be consequences for my failure and I wanted to plead my case in person before he decided, I finally wrote down exactly what happened, and I do hope he realizes that I had wanted this to work out as much as he did.I checked the spot where I left the letter day and night, and it was still there, I checked on the fifth day and the letter was not there. I was glad that they finally picked the letter up, but I became more anxious as I waited fo
Aiden's POV.My eyes were blurry as I saw those boots walking away from me, I was gasping for air as I tried to stay awake.I had become feeble after being shot with this arrow. I felt strange and it took me seconds to realize that this was no ordinary arrow. Whatever it was made of was unusually strong as I wasn't healing as I should. This was disturbing. "What's happening to me..." I mumbled to myself as I felt weakened by whatever was smeared by the arrow.Could it be what I was thinking? No, they wouldn't dare use it on me! If I survive this, I won't stop till I shoot the person with the same arrow. I had also felt a slight pain in my neck too, and I tried to touch it, just so I could know what I was injected with. I knew I could have an idea of what that was if only I could just touch it.But I collapsed, waking up in the palace, with each member of my family, sitting at the dining table. Everyone just went about their business, eating and looking happy. Even Ajax seemed to be
Zelda’s POV Noel exited the room and I looked at Alaric, who was now looking me straight in the eye.“I will be in my room,” I said and slowly walked away, but he was following me and just when I held the door knob to enter my room, he held me back. “You just publicly chose me in front of everyone, you don’t think I’m just going to let you go into your room, right?” He asked as I turned around to look at him. Before I could say anything else, he pushed me inside the room and pushed me to the bed. He suddenly looked like a beast ready to devour me whole, and that excites me. He pulled down his trousers and I looked in between his legs with my eyes open, but I instantly pulled myself together. “You want me now after how badly you have treated me?” I said while sitting up, as I tried hard to stop myself from jumping on him that instant.“You don’t want me?” He asked seductively, and I smiled mischievously.I gestured for him to join me in bed, and he looked at me for a while before
Noel’s POV I opened my eyes and everything that had happened felt like a dream except for the pain that I felt as I watched my father lifeless on the floor. I took a deep breath and stood up to start the day, my dad had always said that dying at his age was no big deal, and I knew it was time I took his words seriously.But now I have no real family and I felt more lost than ever, I decided to go meet the people close enough to be called family. I met a guard on my way, and he handed me a letter that was meant for the princes. “There is a letter for you three,” I informed them as I sat beside Zelda. I handed it over to Alaric and he opened it. “What does it say?” I asked him, but he didn’t say a word and just handed the letter back to me. I cleared my throat after reading it. “Well, it seems like the king left his son one last gift.” I declared. “What do you mean?” Ajax asked. “A solution to the bizarre situation of sharing a mate. Turns out it was quite an easy one.” I expl
Alaric's POV.My body and head were definitely not ready for what has just been happening since. “How in the world is Zelda and missing? Noel too?” I thought to myself, completely dejected.Ajax suddenly sighed loudly and that caught my attention.“What is it?” I asked, red-eyed at this moment.“I know who took Zelda and Noel.” Ajax suddenly declared.With my head on my hands, and me being in deep thought, I had not been a part of the conversation that was going on.“Not when I finally told her my feelings. Not now.” I kept thinking.I felt it was my fault in a way, but I couldn't decipher how.I suddenly stood up from my seat and darted towards Ajax, ripping the letter away from his hand and reading its content. Apparently, our mother had known that the king was going to die, and she had a list of suspects mentioned in her letter. There were two critical pieces of information in her letter.
Ajax’s POV I couldn’t believe my eyes, I didn’t understand what was going through my mind as I watched Zelda and Alaric trying to put on their clothes. I exited the room unable to say a word, I had no idea what to do or where to go. I saw Alaric approaching me and a part of me wanted to walk away again, but I remained still. “I’m sorry, Ajax.” He said softly.“For what?” I snapped at him. “For everything.” He whispered. “No, Alaric. You are saying the wrong words. What I want from you is an explanation of what I just witnessed.” I replied angrily as I tried hard to stop myself from punching him.“I love Zelda.” He confessed. I was dumbfounded by his words.“Since when?” I questioned further. “From the very beginning.” He said gently. “You are nothing but a hypocrite.” I scoffed. He looked at me with his eyes full of sadness. “Aiden and I must’ve looked like
Alaric’s POV “Uncle Jamie?” I said to myself. I looked at Aiden and then Ajax, and they had the same horrifying look on their faces. “Uncle Jamie! We weren’t expecting you.” Aiden blurted out. “Well, I heard there was a problem within the council and as the only elder in the royal family I thought it was about time I stepped in.” He calmly explained as he sat on one of the empty chairs.“I’m glad you are here my lord, the young princes seem to be forgetting how things work, I think they require enlightenment.” Lord Thomas informed Uncle Jamie confidently. “None of you can sit on that throne without the approval of the council.” He stated clearly. “Not when their claims sound like an excuse to prevent any of us from being the king,” Aiden said with anger in his voice. “You will have no choice but to listen to them, unless you want to be a king with no subjects.” He threatened. It was cl
Ajax’s POV Coming out of Zelda’s room, I saw Aiden, I instantly concealed my sad expression as I wouldn’t want to give any privilege to tease me. I extended my hand for a handshake and just like I expected, he was taken aback by my gesture. “May the best man win.” I declared and walked away feeling a bit satisfied. The next morning…Jonathan, Connor, and I were already waiting for Zelda at the entrance of the palace. “You said you were going to show us around the town, but you somehow turned into a date with your mate.” Connor sarcastically complained. “Are we supposed to give you two some space when we are out?” Jonathan teased. “You two! Cut it out. She will be here any moment.” I cautioned them. “Was this your plan all along? To use us as an excuse?” Connor accused. I didn’t say anything, but instead, I was just smiling at his silly reaction. “I suddenly don’t fe
SIMONE'S POV.I must have wandered for days, just waiting for the earth to take me and put me out of my misery. I had run away from the only home I had ever known due to the incessant crisis in my community. I had lost my brother and my mother. And I got separated from my father, and now I am all alone.I wandered into this country with no hope and no property to my name. And since I knew no one, it was hard for me to plant my roots.Just as I was about to give up hope, I stumbled to a large gate. It looked like the owner of the building was very influential, and I was determined to plead my case before them.I knocked on the gate and I was immediately accosted by some men who looked like they were guarding the place. I got scared and cowered in fear, but I was determined.“Who are you and what are you doing here?” The plump and most gentle among them asked me.I was too tired and hungry to give him an answer. And so I
Aiden's POV.“Where are we heading to, Noel?” I asked as she kept walking ahead, sounding all giddy.“Don't you trust me, Aiden?” She asked, teasingly.“I do… but,” I said before she cut me short.“Don't be scared. I just want to show you something.” She declared, finally putting my fear to rest.“We are here!.” She exclaimed, shrieking as she spoke.I looked around and sure enough, it was a place in the palace no one had visited in a long time. The Queen's Garden.Being here brought about a flood of emotions and memories of my mother, the late queen. A cold chill of air suddenly ran down my spine as my hair stood on its end.“You can almost feel her presence, can't you?” Noel questioned, shuddering in between her questions.“Why'd you bring me here, Noel?” I inquired, a stern look on my face.Coming here was just too sad for any of us, and so we avoided it like a plague. Though, when
Corey’s POV “Did you get the book?” Lord Jamie asked immediately after I entered the room, I could sense his impatience and without further delay, I handed the book and the journal to him. “And the man?” He inquired as he dropped the book on the table. “You have nothing to worry about, my lord, he has been taken care of,” I assured him. “Good, make sure you deliver his reward to his family. I did make a promise after all.” He said and I nodded. “But make sure you are discreet about it.” He added. He picked the book up and flipped a few pages as he hummed to himself, I watched him carefully, waiting to be enlightened by his next move. He dropped the book and picked up the journal, he opened the journal and stared at the blank space for some seconds. “What do you intend to do with an empty journal?” I asked, unable to contain my curiosity. “I’m going to read it.” He replied with a misch