It’s the event tomorrow. This week has been painful, partly because I’m trying to reject Darius, and it is failing. Then there’s every day I’m with him, Sage and Lyra.I’m unsure what is more painful, smiling and playing happy for the cameras, watching Lyra and Darius, or trying to reject him and failing. Maybe it’s everything combined?No, it’s playing the part, showing how I can be an amazing queen when I know that Sage and I are not being chosen. We never were going to be.“Elara?” I look up and see Darius. Everyone has left. Where is Kellan? I glance around, searching the room. Kellan has stayed by my side or made sure Sage was here if Darius was.“Yes.” My word is quiet.“We have this to work over. You avoided it.” Sighing, I nod and move next to him. I know I’ve avoided it. It means sitting with him and discussing it. I have to, though. It was my idea. It was me who made him open his eyes to the orphanage.“So, there are currently one hundred and twenty children there. She’s ove
I sit with Lyra and Sage. I hate Lyra more because of Darius, but in the past week, she has changed. Sure, she would call me names and throw abuse at me.She’s made amends, though, and she’s actually herself. I realised her and the peanut shaving incident was real. She really is that gullible and easily fooled.So it makes sense she ran along with Aurora and everyone. We’ve spent a lot of time together, and her own family has apologised to me after the way they treated me at that ball, giving me zero points.I still have the letter. It’s nice, though. It also proves just how easily people can be manipulated and turned evil for the wrong reasons.We sit, drink, and talk. We stand, drink, laugh, dance, and fall over. Lyra wasn’t lying when she said she liked to party. She is drinking way more than Sage and me.“We will all be living together! We can do this every weekend.” Lyra laughs and falls off the chair.“You realise it is Sage and me that will get in trouble for how drunk you are?
Darkness surrounds me. My body pulls against the restraints, but nothing seems to work. My eyes look across the room, seeing the things.Growling, I pull harder and watch as people move around me.“Before you return it, we need more samples.” I watch his body walk to mine, the needle piercing through me. Growling, I snap forward, but it’s useless. I’m locked in. “Cut some skin off.” He turns as he speaks.I feel the blade slice across me. Howling, I fight, but it’s useless. Darkness sweeps away the images.Suddenly, bright lights surround me. My body radiates in pain.“Her parents’ wolves are different from her; they are just like normal wolves.” The words flow through my mind. “There are over three hundred wolves, and only this one is different.”Growls erupt from within me.“Nothing weakens it. We could find a way to match its strength. Watch.” Pain pierces through my chest. “It heals quicker than it should as well.”Darkness once again washes away the images. More slowly pouring th
Breakfast is quiet, no doubt, because we're hung over. Lyra has apologised at least fifty times to me and Sage. Then, another hundred times to Kellan for her comments. Then her apologies continue after to Darius. Apparently, William had failed to tell her Beta outside her room not to let her leave, so they escorted her to Darius's room soon after she was put there.From her conversation with Sage and me, she actually did strip, climb into Darius' bed and wait for him. It's highly amusing. For us, not her and Darius, however. They both are sat far away from each other, looking horrified."Are you ready?" I look towards William as he stands waiting. This interview is scaring me. I have to do it, though. I've gone over it multiple times with Darius and Kellan.Nodding, I follow him through. I sit with the cameras in front of me. Just as many as before when we told them I was Xenia.I walk over and take a seat."Luna Xenia, it's a pleasure to interview you again." I go to say I'm not Luna
I instantly search out Lyra and Sage. They are with the other contestants. Aurora and Astrid aren’t here, however. That is a good thing. Then again, from what I know, Aurora is still in a cell, and Astrid is being punished by her family for what happened.My body stops between Lyra and Sage. The women look at me and smile. “Princess Xenia.” Selene smiles at me but I want to puke as it is so fake.“Ladies.” I smile at them and act politely, but even I can see the glares and hate behind their warm faces. They still hate me but now realise that Kellan has chosen me, which means anything they do towards me won’t end well for them.“I have to say, I never expected you two to make it.” Willow looks at me and Sage.“I have to admit I never expected you ladies to return and be reminded why you lost.” Her mouth drops open. I see Kellan waving me over. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m busy.” Hugging Sage and Lyra, I walk to Kellan.“Did you play nice?” I laugh at his words. “That’s a yes.”“I did,
I'm done with this ball. With this event and everything about it now. Something feels off; Winter is on edge, and I don't understand why either.Currently, I'm standing beside Lyra, and Darius stands in front of us, waiting for William to announce the winner. He's counted up all the votes, and even I know it's Lyra.He was selective in who he invited. They are all team Lyra, and that was noticeable when they spent all their time around Lyra and avoiding me."Your new queen is Lyra." William's words have me smiling and stepping back. I feel an arm wrap around my waist and watch as Darius proposes to Lyra."I wanted to run away, but apparently, we're not allowed to yet." I laugh and turn, looking at Kellan. "Oh, come on, it's been four hours. I would rather be physically tortured than spend even longer here.""You're so dramatic." He nods and grins."I want to relax. It's over. Well, almost."Moving, I unfasten his tie, his eyes widening. "You're going to get me told off.""It got wet."
I didn't sleep well last night, I sit staring at my plate. I've barely eaten anything, but I don't feel well. At all, and I'm not sure if it's just because everything is happening at once."Are you okay?" Lyra smiles at me."Yeah, I think I'm just exhausted because of everything."She nods. "And still no break because it's straight into planning the wedding." She laughs, but she is right. May, my maid and one who will stay my personal maid, has already brought me a pile of magazines on weddings.It hasn't even been twenty-four hours. Yet, I've been asked about the wedding repeatedly. It's happening quickly, far quicker than I thought it would."I love this dress." Sage turns the magazine, and I peer at it. It's her style; it has flowers on it. She loves nature, wolves, and such, though, so I expected as much."It certainly looks like the perfect dress for you, Sage; I'm sure you will find one like it when it comes to getting your dress" It does look perfect for her."How about you? Ha
I wait, but Darius doesn't speak."Darius, this is highly inappropriate. Your future wife is through that door in her wedding dress.""Can we talk?" He looks at me."Now isn't the time.""Then when is?""That depends on what you want to speak about."He sighs and steps closer, my hand raising. "No, don't come any closer. Actually, I think we need to try the whole rejecting thing again.""Why are you so obsessed with rejecting me?""Why are you so obsessed with ignoring you're my mate and focusing on marrying Lyra?"His mouth closes. "Exactly, so I want to try again, and this time, Hades says it as well." His body stills, and he swallows hard. "Yes, I know, so this time it will work.""I'm busy." He turns and walks out. Moving, I lift the dress and follow him. He's not refused once until now. William stares at me and smiles."He went that way," he points out, looking rather happy that I'm chasing Darius down. I go in the direction he said, and he follows at a distance. I stop at Darius