I watch as Darius orders everyone to leave. Moving, I go to stand, and his head shakes. Something has happened."What has happened?" Kellan looks at him, and I listen, Darius is going to tell Kellan about their mother and William. I'm not sure how he will take this. Darius took it badly, so will Kellan?"I was searching places today. Trying to find where dad would hide things that might answer why he ordered those murders.""You found it! Show me then." Kellan moves closer."I found something, but it isn't about that." I watch as Darius places the ring down on the desk. Kellan looks over at it, confused."You found a ring?" He laughs slightly. "That was mum's ring from her mother.""That was a lie. The ring didn't come from me." Darius hands him the letter. "Mum and William were having an affair. Apparently, they were mates."Kellan laughs. "I know."Darius' eyes widen. Oh no, this won't go down well. "How long have you known?""About a year before she died. Dad had left, travelling t
After telling the brothers my plan, I went to bed. Exhaustion had taken over me, and I fell asleep far too quickly. I've not seen Kellan, Darius, or even William today.I woke up alone, had breakfast, and have spent most of my day with Sage now. Later today is Callista's banquet, which I'm not looking forward to. It can't be any worse than Lyra's Ball, though; at least today, there are no masks.Sage is currently painting her nails. Something which she insists she does herself. Where as Lyra and everyone use the maids, who are trained to do it."Are you doing yours?""No! My toes won't be on show." We both laugh at that."Has May sorted your dress for tonight?""She has. It's a very tight-fitting gown. I think she's trying to help me taunt Kellan." It won't help, as I'm not seeing Kellan tonight. Not that anyone knows that."Go get ready then." She points to the door. Hugging her, I walk out and bump into Callista."What are you wearing?"I step back away from her, confused. "A dress.
DariusTonight is painful. Callista won't stop talking, and because she is between me and Kellan, it means I have to talk to her because Kellan is focused on Elara.Solely Elara, which means I have to deal with Callista alone, and my head hurts. While listening to her yattering, I am also trying to remember not to act too friendly with Elara.I'm meant to be pushing her out, not caring, whatever.Lyra's masquerade ball wasn't as painful as this. Sure, I spent most of my time with her, but we moved around the room. Constantly talking to people, new conversations. Away from her own agenda.No, Callista keeps talking about how much she has trained for this. How she has practised her routines for situations the queen may find herself in.Things like this are meant to be fun and relaxing. It is not so tense. Everyone else is laughing, so I can only imagine their conversations are better."It's amazing, Alpha Prime Darius. A perfect example of how a queen would help.""I think my brother ha
I'm not sure what happened that night, but for two days, I have barely seen Kellan or Darius. William has told us they were busy with issues. Issues, I apparently can't know as when I ask, I get told he's not allowed to tell me. "Something is happening." Sage looks at me and I nod. "I agree, and no I don't know. Neither Darius nor Kellan have told me. I've barely seen them." She looks across the room. "What I don't get is why are both Beta Ash and Yori watching you?" That, I don't know. "We can make up our own ideas?" I laugh slightly. "All Yori told me was that the brothers are busy and can't check in on me as much. They are together so Kellan doesn't need his Beta's." I feel that's a lie. I've no idea if they caught Aurora or if it was even her. "Maybe this has something to do with the people outside the wall?" I turn and look at Callista. "You didn't know? I left something in my old room and went to get it. There are banners and such calling both the king and prince murderers
I chase William down the hall with my Betas behind me."William, stop making me run." I laugh and follow him; as I round the corner, he is standing waiting."Could you have just not run at all? Instead of making me follow you all this way.""People would have heard. What do you want, Elara?""What are Kellan and Darius doing?"He glances around briefly before looking back at me. "After all the information about their father that has come out recently, they are focusing on ways to fix their image.""That's a lie." He's lying. Kellan would just say if that was it. "They are getting my wolf, right?" he grasps my arm and pulls me into a room and closes it."Don't speak of it.""What?" I don't get it."No one can find out. The king and prince have cut themselves off from everyone, so no one knows what they are doing. No one can know. Only a few of us do.""So they are getting my wolf?" Is that what he's saying?I watch as he nods. "Don't discuss it, Elara. All you need to do is wait for Ma
I wake up with arms wrapped around my body. Turning, I see Kellan."You've been busy." He nods, smiling at me. He looks worn out."We need to discuss some things today. So have breakfast with the others, then meet me and Darius." He leans forward, his lips pressing against mine."You look like you need sleep.""I'm fine, don't worry about me. I'm going to go get sorted and find Darius. I snuck away, and I'm not meant to be here."Laughing, I shake my head. "You're breaking the rules again?""They are made to be. He thinks I'm asleep in my room, just shh." Laughing at him, I lean forward and kiss him. His hands grasp me and pull me closer to him.I push my body closer to his, hearing him groan before he pushes me away. "No!"Pouting, I sulk, and he chuckles. Leaning forward, he begins to kiss me. My hand tangles into his hair."Enjoy your breakfast. See you soon." His words are mumbled against my lips before he climbs off the bed and walks out. I want to sulk that he's gone already. I
I was grateful when I heard that Astrid had decided that the garden party needed a marquee. Walking out, I look around; the snow has stopped falling.It's still deep, though, but Astrid had clearly thought of that and made sure multiple pathways were cleared, making it easier to walk through.While the marquee is there and it is big, there are a lot of tables and seating around the garden as well."I shall see you out there." Sage hugs me and walks to Beta Tony. Astrid planned this perfectly. We all walk in with someone. She, of course, is walking in with Darius."I'm here to replace you, Yori." Kellan pushes past him."You're meant to be spending time with others, Kellan." He plans to stay with me at my event and Sage's. He shouldn't be with me at this one."I'm simply walking you into the event. You can push me away after we get there, agree?" He smirks at me and I fail and laugh."I won't push you away, and can you stop calling me an alien? I heard you before." I narrow my eyes at
Kellan calling me alien wakes me. I almost want to punch him, but I don't. Sitting up, I look at him."Is it time?""Yes. Get dressed. I will wait outside for you." He walks out, and I rush to get myself ready. I'm not sure how this morning will go, but I'm hopeful.Walking out after getting ready, Kellan is waiting. I walk down with him, and he guides me around to the cars. I still don't know how they get past the angry mob.They must, though, as Kellan has left a few times."You are to stay with Beta William and Yori until we give the word." Darius looks at me."Fine. I'm happy to follow the order." I will, as I don't want them at risk. Getting in the car, I sit and begin to feel nervous and scared. It's not so much about getting caught but the thought of actually having my wolf back.A short while later, the cars stop, and I watch everyone get out and go into the building. Even from here, I can feel it. My body is itching to run towards it."Don't." I turn to William, my eyes going