NEILLA'S POVA mere wish I wished I never craved for because it was right after, I got the shocking news of my entire existence."Duty called," I went on. "He had to answer by showing his capacity to be future leader and officially mark me as his mate and Luna. I was to rule by his side. I know I wasn't born into a royal household, yet it didn't deter me from wanting to know the mechanics of how it worked."My mind wandered off again to the night I saw him perform the ritual on the blue moon with Venn by his side. The deceitful wench.The feeling of warm grip on my fingers reminded me that there was someone in the room still waiting for me to speak. I looked at Lykos."Look, it's fine if you can no longer talk about it. Hell, I'm fine if you decide to avoid the topic entirely."It was my turn to grip his fingers, only that mine was cold and shaky. Revisiting the past was no easy feat for any victim of trauma. Still, it was essential for the healing process to commence."I decided to t
NEILLA'S POV I didn't know how long I had been snoring awaybut I sure wasn't ready to leave the warmth of the soft bed. Not yet. My nose soon picked up something smelling extremely aromatic, something like heavy butter and cream cheese. My stomach growled in hunger causing me to groan. It lulled me out of my slumber like bait, dragging me back into consciousness."I'm so hungry." I muttered to myself as I rolled over, pulling the heavy mattress with me."I know. That's why I brought you breakfast instead. You missed it." Lykos' voice sent me into a sudden awakening and the energy I didn't know I had, pumped me into sitting upright. What the hell?Truly, it wasn't a dream and Lykos was lounging in the sofa next to the bed. He appeared to be freshly shaved and showered, donned in a gray tee and dark wash jeans. If I wasn't so hungry, I'd have labelled him more edible than the meal he brought.Speaking of meals, where was it again? As if he was listening in to my thoughts -which I wou
LYKOS' POV My phone pinged, distracting me from the conversation I was having with Neilla. I took a look at the screen to find a text from Axel. He wanted me to come to the art room where I had the surprise waiting for her. Taking a few pointers from her wolf in the right direction, I learnt about her passion to paint. "I'm leaving to get a few things put in order. Make sure you're ready to go when I come back. If I can't come get you myself, I'll send Axel." I rose to my feet, my gaze on Neilla."Where are we going?" She asked, her doe eyes staring up at me from her position on the bed. It took everything in me not to pin her to it and ravage that small pouty lips of hers.The mate bond was driving me nuts and before I'd anything stupid, I switched out of that train of thought. The surprise I had in store for her superceded any other thing and should come first. "It's a little surprise for you, Agapiméni mou. Something to ward off negative thoughts and a hobby you can develop pendi
NEILLA'S POVI stepped out of the bath tub, wrapped a thick cream towel I found folded neatly in one of the cupboards, around and my body and proceeded to brush my teeth. Since the pregnancy, I always preferred to brush after my breakfast. Food tasted better that way.Having finished bathroom business, I stepped into the bedroom where I proceeded to the wardrobe for clothes. I rummaged through each section of clothing, turning my nose up in displeasure at each one I looked at. None seemed to catch my attention. Then, I caught wind of a familiar scent. Lykos.The scent led me to a navy blue hoodie, large enough to pass for a mid length gown but cute to be worn with the accompaniment of leggings or joggers. I picked out the outfit and closed the door to the wardrobe. Moments later, I stood in front of the full length mirror, admiring my outfit with a grin of satisfaction at what I looked like; hoodie and large joggers that had me snuggled in. For reasons unknown, I packed my hair into
SEVEN MONTHS LATER...NEILLA'S POV"If you dare hide that piece of chocolate, you're dead!" I warned in an angry tone. Lykos had been nothing but annoying in every way, including every way he tried to help. I didn't want his help, I wanted my chocolate and if he didn't provide that, there'd be hell to pay.I tried to stand up, gripping the armchair tightly to ensure it could keep my weight and keep me from toppling over.Lykos slid the last bar of chocolate in his pocket, grinning at me as I wobbled over like a pregnant seal. He was enjoying my discomfort."Agápi, not again. I don't enjoy your discomfort. I swear it to you. You just finished the eleventh bar of chocolate and it's just five in the morning. Go to bed already." He made a move to come close, stopping for a second when he saw that I didn't want any form of cooperation. If he handed the chocolate over to me, there wouldn't be any issue. With claws extracted and eyes glowing, I gave him a look that said 'take a step closer
***Smut scene***NEILLA'S POVUnless small kisses on the hands and cheek, we'd never done anything remotely intimate. Not like I wasn't hungry for him, I was just scared of the rejection. After sharing my grievances with Lady Justina, she suggested I take it one step at a time but since I was feeling so insecure, I never made a move. None of us did. Perhaps both of us were scared of rushing things and scaring off the other person. He turned to look at me, gently placing my foot down on the foot cushion underneath. "Are you sure about this, agápi? Because once it happens, there's no going back to what we were.""What were we?" I teased, gently tugging at his shirt, a silent communication for him to come closer.He chuckled, his deep voice reverberating through my brain and registering there. He had that much effect on me. "You tease."Our noses were touching now. I looked back and forth between his gray eyes now darkened with desire and his plump lips. "Can you shut up and kiss me?"H
LYKOS' POVI couldn't bring myself to fall asleep when she did, so I laid wide awake watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest until the morning light seeped through the curtains and into the room.Every now and then, she would reach out for my fingers and grip them tightly until she fell back asleep. Sometimes, I'd brush her baby bump with my fingertips, marvelling at the movements happening afterwards. It never ceased to amaze me; watching new life move from up close.I picked up my phone by the bedside. The time on the screen read a little past eight, meaning there was still more time to arrange her meal before she woke up. Disentangling myself was no easy feat but it was my life at stake if she didn't see her breakfast early enough.After successfully extricating myself from her hold, which she unconsciously reacted to with a sound of protest and a frown, I began on my way to the wardrobe to pick a shirt. The crease on her brows smoothened and she settled back into bed. When
NEILLA'S POVMy fingers spread out to touch Lykos, feeling around for his warmth, for the muscular bouts of his long arms... found nothing. Slowly, I peeled my eyes opened, astonished to find the place empty and cold. I sat up, pulling the sheets with me as I did, looking around the room and wondering his whereabouts.I looked out the window, suddenly missing him. This was the reason I didn't want to move into his room when he first suggested it. If I remembered vividly, he was the one who'd moved my things before I could process thoughts. I didn't want to wake up thinking there'd be somebody and waking up to find none.As the pregnancy progressed, I grew used to his scent filling everywhere I turned to; the sheets, the sofas, the pillows and my clothes. I raised my wrist up to my nose, realizing with a smile that I now smelled like him.Then I heard footsteps approaching quickly, I hadn't caught the scent of the person but i made a quick guess it might be Lykos. Judging by the time of
NEILLA'S POV "You were saying, sweet uncle?" I smiled sweetly at him, enjoying the look on his face. For the first time ever, he bore an expression other than arrogance and it thrilled me to no end. Setting the book down without taking my hands off it nor my eyes off him, I ripped each page disregarding how it scalded my palms. I would heal eventually so it bothered me less. "No! Anything but that, please." He crumbled to his knees, as he begged. "Anything but that. That is all I have of my mate." "Wrong! She did not ask you to avenge her or go taking packs forcefully." I debated in an anger that led me yanking off more pages in quick succession. "If you have lost a mate, you would understand." That touched a sore spot in me and I paused in the middle of my actions. "Lies!" Nia spat out for the first time since I came back to life. "In that book is all the secrets of his existence as a hybrid alongside all the monsters that do his bidding. Do not fall for his wi
NEILLA'S POV I broke down, in shameful admittance of my failure to her. Everyone spoke of my mother in reverence in awe and when they knew I was her blood, they had exalted expectations of me. Even I had expectations of myself only to be slapped with the wicked truth. I was nothing compared to who my mother was before her death. "That's where you got it wrong, my daughter." My mother cooed, as she framed her face again with her soft hands. "You don't compare to me, I don't compare to you. I let sentiments get me into a trap that cost me my family, that cost me you." "If I had killed Vincent a long time ago, when I should have, you won't be in this mess. But I didn't, because he was family to me. He was my only sibling." She revealed, avoiding my face but laying strict attention to my hair. Was it something about my hair or something about the words she was saying? I wondered, pulling out of her hold. "Vincent was your brother and he killed you?" What kind of blood relation was h
NEILLA'S POV"That's not true!" Nia pulled my arm, trying her best to dissuade me from confronting Vincent by myself. "You can't be the Alpha's daughter, you don't know what you're saying!" We turned to her, a buzz of energy humming around us as we replied her. "It is true. If you hadn't said that lie, we wouldn't have been brought to our fate."We turned our focus back to Vincent who slowly descended the short flight of stairs, hands behind his back and that cynical smile on his face.The model definition of a psychopath. "No, Neilla. Let me handle him. Save the kids." Lykos ordered as he appeared by us in the blink of an instant. "I said this is my fight!" We roared suddenly. Frightened, the triplets scampered to Lenora quickly. "Stay out of my business and go be with them!" We warned with our voice ringing out clear.The vein in his neck ticked, his jaw did the same. He was angry with us but who cared? We wanted to get things done with once and for all. "Now, now." Venn's faux
NEILLA'S POV"I can't." Nia said, stopping us in our tracks. Before we started to raise our claws, impatient to strike her down and let ourselves out of the cell, she quickly filled in her reasons."If we do so together, Vincent might discover a little too early of my betrayal to him.""Like you haven't betrayed your own people already."Nia all but snapped at us. "We have already established that, Neilla. You don't have to bring it up everytime." She sighed, "As I was saying, you have to be in here for a few minutes while I go up alone. If the coast is clear, I'll send one of my trusted persons to come get you.""Let's hope they don't betray you too." My wolf spat out cynically before retreating back into the backseat of my head as I took rein now.I felt no remorse for my wolf's words. It was the truth anyway.She said nothing else in reply, went out of the room. Lenora proceeded to secure the locks from within and together we sat in the dim light of the lamp, waiting for her arriv
NEILLA'S POV My ears picked up on the sounds of commotion from way above us. Nia must have as well because she paused briefly so she could tilt her head to the side and listen. "What is that?" I asked in alarm. She shook her head, rose from her seat. "I cannot say for sure." She ventured close to the heavy doors. "If my guess is right, then Vincent, or should I say Lonnie, has lost his mind yet again." "Tell me, does this happen frequently?" I quizzed, my eyes following her every move even as I paid attention to the distant commotion. "You don't want to know how many times he loses his mind in a day. Whatever character he might have been displaying to you was a faux." She added, finally coming back to sit. The noise had all but stopped. However, it was reduced. I found that the kids were no longer playing with their toys. They probably heard the commotion too. I thought back to the short time Vincent add I spent in each other's presence. I found it almost impossible to
NEILLA'S POVNia arose from her position to give I and the triplets a moment to ourselves while she stepped to the darker room with the human girl, Lenora. The kids made sure to talk my ear off with half baked stories of their adventures, the friends they made who were just the fake servants that abducted them that day "I told them about our birthday." Jade was saying. She found a spot in the curve of my arm and settled there. "How aunt Nia told us to follow some people so she could have time with us."Her story drew my interest, same time repelled me. Did I really want to know how they were abducted? The truth of how it really happened?I decided against it. "That's enough, Jade. I'm glad you're here with me, alright?" She nodded and as she did so, the tendrils that were peeking from her crown, bounced."When mean uncle said you wouldn't come back to us, it hurt my feelings so much. I yelled at him and told him he was wrong. He was laughing at me." Juno said, his face reflecting t
NEILLA'S POVI hastened my steps, pushing to meet up with Nia who had become interestingly faster than she was some seconds ago. The servants who saw us coming only took a second to observe me, perhaps out of curiosity, before they immediately lowered their heads.I had seen more than ten of them do the same.What were they scared of?Who was Lonnie?"He's not going to do anything to his sister, is he?" I voiced out my thoughts as we hurried along the hallway that didn't seem to have an end.Nia's grip on my wrist tightened further and she inhaled sharply. "Trust me, you do not want to know."We took the very first turn before getting to the end of the endless hallway. It led us down several stairwells. A few servants met us on their way up. I heard their little whispers as soon as they thought we were out of earshot. "She's going to be in trouble." I managed to catch.I was already in trouble, that was a no-brainer. I was just yet to figure out a way to extricate myself and my tri
NEILLA'S POV.Nia recovered from the shock of seeing me. She turned to the siblings with an angry glare. "What is she doing here? I thought you said you were not going to bring her until you have made a bargain? Why didn't you give me a heads-up first?"Venn leaned back in her seat to regard Nia properly. She plucked one seed of grape and bit into it slowly, taking her time. She dropped the other half of it."I see you have forgotten your place. That is not a problem. Might I remind you that you work for me and not with me and you know what that means, right?" Nia rolled her eyes, nodded all the same. "Still, you should have said something."I didn't even let their conversation come to an end before I started to vent. "Nia, how could you?" We might not have been on cordial terms, but this was an outright betrayal of trust. "We trusted you.""Oh, please." She replied with scorn. "That was you being gullible and that's on you, not me."Everything started to make sense to me. Her sudden
NEILLA'S POVThe long walk from the portal brought us to a yard whose environment brought back a feeling of nostalgia to me. The stranger whose name was Lonnie, walked behind me as Venn went up front. She had reverted to her normal self on the way which I had to admit to myself, was more unnerving. The werewolf façade was a misleading representation of the true nature of her being. There was so much innocence in her pretence than in the form she presented to us.I decided instead that I could deal with the veiny, bloodthirsty vampire that she really was. At least, dealing with people in their true elements made all the work easy.We came to what resembled a throne room with vault ceilings, flower ornaments in each corner, an entire floor of polished marble against which the soles of my boots thudded.There were several paintings of one man whom I guessed was probably the Alpha. With a strong and chiseled jawline, a aqualine nose over a mouth that looked like it said little but promi