I wake up with Kellan wrapped around my body, and I almost smile until I remember all the shit that’s happened. I was gone for three days. I need to see Sage and make her aware that I’m fine.“So, we figured out the Sage situation.” I smile, hearing Kellan.“Then tell me.” I am happy they figured this out.“She’s staying. As your best friend, she can’t possibly leave when this is over. She has to stay for the weddings.”I laugh and nod. “That doesn’t solve the issue, Kellan.” For a bit, sure, but that’s all.“Tony has spoken to Sage a lot. When this mess is cleared up, and the battle ends, Tony will be given a position as one of your Betas.” He stays grinning.“Right, but Sage has her pack, she’s needed there.” It doesn’t help.“Was. She’s decided she doesn’t want to take over her father, so she plans to find someone else to. Tony will be given leave. Sage’s father being sick and dying kind of gives Darius a good enough reason to let him have a break from the contract he signed.”So,
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
Asher POVI look down at Katla. She's only a few days old. After speaking with Zyra, she decided that the space in the mountains would be a retreat—a place for us to escape to, somewhere Katla could get used to what it is like to live in the Dragon Kingdom.We have spent a few days there, but not many. Apparently, she wants to be in the palace close to the others. Part of me feels like that's because they were her support while I was hiding away.It's shown her what having a family around can do. We're close, minus Aurelia. She seems to be thriving with the Bears and keeping her distance. Other than returning that day when I was going crazy and needed help, she rarely came back. We've adjusted and got used to that, however.She wants her life away from here; she wants her own life, not one that is connected to us. She should have that if she wants it."Hey."Turning, I see Elijah walk to me.He laughs slightly and takes Katla from my arms. "You look exhausted; fun night?"It's only 4
Asher POVI walk out of the room and go to where I know they will be. As I step into the office, they turn to face me.Darius shakes his head. "You should be with Zyra.""I was, but considering this is brought on by the Dragons, I should be helping." I walk further in and look at the papers."Nothing to help with," my dad shrugs. "His son is clean, Seraphine can tell. Things were explained to him. He had no idea about the arranged marriage and, to be honest, was shocked, as he apparently had a mate."So the son won't be an issue. Is that what he's saying?"Look, both Eliphas and Durnalin are in the cells, away from each other. The son has gone. Apparently, he has a whole life with his mate. His dad told him the dragons had requested their presence at events." Darius explains.It makes no sense, though. "Why? Why would the dragons want the warlocks there?" How didn't his son question it?"Apparently, because Eliphas and his son are the strongest warlocks, they invited them to make a un
Asher POVI wait and watch."Prince Asher, soon to be King, tell me something." He walks to the bars and leans against them. "Where do Warlocks belong?"My head tilts; they belong wherever they want to. I don't understand his question."See, there is no answer as we don't belong anywhere. There is the werewolf kingdom, fae, dragons and everything else. Witches and warlocks are forced to live in one of those kingdoms, with no real power."So this was all about getting power? My body is pushed back, and my eyes widen as I see King Drakon reach through the bars—his hand clamps around Eliphas' neck.I guess he's fixed, and his curse is gone. My dad and Darius drag him away, and I watch Eliphas drop to the floor, clutching his neck. The blood runs down from where King Drakon's nails dug in."We need answers; killing him won't get them." My dad turns and faces Eliphas."Apparently, this was all for power." Which still makes no sense."It wasn't just for power. We wanted our own kingdom, our
Asher POVI'm anxious. It's been two days since the curse was lifted, and I'm glad to be back to normal. All that is at risk, though. Tonight, I have to be close to whoever is pretending to be King Drakon. That then risks it happening again, and if it does, will it start slow again or begin where it was removed?I've noticed Elijah, Storm, and Aurelia are quiet. Whatever was done has worn them out, which I didn't want."Are you ready?" Zyra hugs me, and I nod. I'm not. We need answers and to figure out who it is."Be careful, okay?" I don't like that I'm not going to be there."It's you who needs to be careful. You will be in a confined space with him. If anything goes wrong." She looks at me worriedly.Wrapping my arms around her, I smile. "I'll be fine; once he's in the cell, he can't do anything." I kissed her and gave her a final hug before walking away.Getting to the cells, I sit in one and wait. I'm hoping the plan works. If we can get him in the cell, then his magic and power
Asher POVI can see Zyra is struggling, and I don’t blame her either. She just found out her brother is missing.“Look, when Seraphine checked trying to find out the issue with him, she saw King Drakon, but it wasn’t him. Whoever it was is who we believe Cursed Asher.” My mum grasps her hands and smiles. “We’ve got people tracking down where your brother really is. There’s a reason for this, and it’s you, Zyra. Seraphine could sense the curses were put on Asher and Elijah to try and push you to return home.”Zyra looks around the room and seems increasingly worried. “What about Ryker? Is he okay? Does he know?” She waits, and I don’t know the answer to that.“I’m sorry, we don’t know. You need to stay here, Zyra. We have a plan, and we’re hoping Seraphine can uncover more when the person comes here.”She nods and sits, looking lost.“We are expecting Seraphine to return late tonight or early tomorrow. If they can’t fix the issue, then we will keep working to.” My mum smiles and hugs h
Asher POVAfter about an hour of sitting in the cell with Zyra, I ordered her to leave. I wanted to spend time with her, but she shouldn't have been sitting in the cells with me.So, I've been alone for hours, waiting to find out their plan. They hadn't thought this through. I need to leave the cell to go to the room. As soon as I step out of this cell, it will come back. Then what?I'm willing to agree to anything right now if it gets me out of this cell and back with Zyra. The footsteps have me standing, and I watch my dad and Darius walk towards me."What's your plan? How am I to do this?" They haven't thought it through."You need to shift." Darius looks at me.I laugh at him. Is that some kind of joke? "You want me to shift, so that what? I can kill people easier?"My dad sighs and steps forward. "Please do as you're told. You won't understand why we're saying you can shift, but shift. Into your wolf, not dragon."Of course, I won't understand; they haven't explained it to me. If
Elijah POVI sit in the office; Seraphine has left. She's meeting her family halfway in the hopes they have something that can help. Merfolk are powerful creatures with extraordinary abilities.Curses and such are something they specialise in."We're going to request that King Drakon attend a celebration for Zyra's pregnancy. It means we can get what we need and figure out who it is and what their aim is." My dad looks at me, and he makes it sound so simple. This isn't simple."He's going to ask why Asher isn't present, then what?" We can't lie and hide him. "It will look suspicious.""Not if Zyra invites him, she won't know, remember. She can invite him, and whoever is portraying King Drakon won't suspect anything. We're going to be honest and explain something is wrong with Asher, and he's not well."So we're not hiding the issue."He could be in the cell for weeks, so we've had things moved down there for him. The plan is later to test how he is with someone in the cell with him. T
Asher POVI watch as Elijah glares at everyone and backs up more."Elijah, we need to know." My mum steps towards him."I saw him once, just once! You all need to focus on Asher, not me! He's the one that is cursed, not me!" He shouts and steps back. He backs into my dad, and he grabs Elijah as Seraphine steps forward and grips his head.His screams echo around the cells, and it's all over just as quickly as it starts. His body falls to the floor, and he cradles his head."Well?" Darius looks at Seraphine."You're going to need a warlock, or I'll need to contact my family and see if they have something to clear the curses." Her words make me look towards Elijah. So, he is also cursed."Asher's curse is to make him push everyone out and make him think he has a mad wolf so that Zyra leaves. Elijah's was to hate Asher, likely to intensify it." Seraphine smiles slightly. "There's no mate, Elijah. The curse is what's stopping us from having a baby. There's no third mate." Her words have hi
Asher POVNo one speaks, likely because they know what I said is the truth. I need to die; there is nothing they can do to change that."Explain the process, what happened, how it started, when it happens." Darius pulls a chair over and sits outside the cell.I laugh. "Why do I need to talk? Why do I need to explain? You're proving you believe me by keeping me locked in here and being too afraid to come near your own son."Nothing I say can change that."Asher, I'm not opening the cell because I don't trust you to try and run. So explain it to me, tell me how it's progressed, and let's be sure that is what is happening." He waits, and I watch my mum, Elijah, and dad sit with him."It began with whispers. The words were barely audible, but I heard whispers in my ear. They got louder and began to sound like words. Whispers were one thing, but then I began to see people dead and my wolf above them." It was a warning to me to hide, to push them away, and not let them close to me."When do