I watch as Darius walks down with Sage. Winter isn't phased by either Kellan or Darius being with Sage. I guess because she can feel the bond between Sage and Tony?"How are you feeling?" I turn and smile at Kellan."Right now, I'm feeling fine. Ask again in thirty seconds." We both laugh as he guides me down to the garden. I watch as Darius welcomes people with Sage."Your jealousy is weird." I smile at Kellan."Not weird, just Winter knows Sage isn't a threat.""And Callista, and Lyra are?" He tilts his head."I don't understand how either, so let's forget about it." I thought it was just Darius, seeing him with Lyra or Callista. Yet today proved it is Kellan as well. Which is interesting."Remember what we said?"I groan. "Yes, I remember. You have both repeated it over and over—constantly, like a record on replay."He laughs. "Remember that you won't feel a connection with everyone. You can talk to their wolves and such, though. I also know Sage wanted you to run with her and some
Waking, I open my eyes and see Darius asleep next to me. He looks so different. Looking at him now I realise there was a constant look of stress on his face before.That appears to have gone now that he's asleep. I'm going to be late for breakfast. Moving carefully, I get up and ready. Walking out, I smile at Yori."Morning, Miss Elara, we will escort you to breakfast.""Thank you, Yori. Where is Kellan?" I must have fallen asleep on the walk back, as I can't remember anything."He's not back yet. He was meeting someone.""Alone?" Why would they let him go alone?"Not alone. The king ensured there were plenty of guards there. Before Kellan even left guards were situated in the place he was going to. He's safe."Words don't help. Yori always went with him, so now how do we know he's safe? I look around and notice more guards on doors."What's happening?" Something is."They are making sure everyone is safe, ensuring that each person has enough security. Whoever is using your face won't
Astrid stays glaring at me while Yori and Sage remain ahead of me. It doesn't help. Winter is getting worse, and leaving the room means walking past her."It's pathetic!" She steps closer, and I see Yori nod to Ash, and he rushes out. "You're just a whore, everyone knows it. This entire thing needs to fall down!" Her words are loud, and my body shakes as I try and stop myself from shifting."Astrid, I have sent someone to get the king, so step back and speak to him." Yori looks at her, but she ignores him."The king who lies? Who is covering up something to do with murders? He's so great. The fact he let the mutt stay proves he's weak!" She growls at me."Focus Elara. She wants you to snap, don't." I nod to Sage. I'm trying. to stay in control."The king isn't weak." That is all I can say.She laughs and steps closer, my back now against the wall."No? Where is he now? Hiding away, no doubt." Yori pushes her back, and she continues to laugh. "Yeah, he's hiding. He's good at that, righ
I feel like I'm asleep but seeing things, yet they don't seem right. Why am I looking up at my mum? Something isn't right. She's crying. Why is she crying? I hear wolves fighting, and a loud roaring sound has her placing me down. The sounds of wolves fighting get louder. "The baby lives. Take their wolves as well." "It stated all were to die." "We killed it. We have no knowledge of where the body is." I see Ethan's face appear in front of me. "I have a plan for it." Waking up, I scream. "Hey, it's fine." Kellan looks at me. "Calm down, please." His arms wrap around me. "It was just a dream." "I don't think it was a dream." I think it was a memory. Was it mine? It must have been I recognised the woman, she was my mum. "Okay, so what was it?" He looks at me. "A memory." It has to have been a memory. His hold gets stronger. "Alpha Draven can't get near you to hurt you again, I swear." "It wasn't him, it was Ethan." "He won't get near you either." "Kellan, it wasn't a memory o
The cameras are ready, and Darius smiles at us. "The events you all planned are now over. Each event was marked and scored by your guests. The lowest number of guests was one hundred and fifty. To make it fair, that is the amount who could vote for each event regardless of your number of guests." "As always, the one with the lowest votes will be leaving." Kellan looks at us. I hear Astrid mutter something but ignore her. "Each person could give a score out of up to three points. With 436 points, is Sage." I turn and hug her. "431 points is Elara." I relax slightly. "420 points Lyra, 401 points Callista and 324 points to Astrid." Darius looks at her. "Your comments from your guests are here. Feel free to read and find out where you went wrong or right. That means Astrid is leaving." I watch as William guides her out. I expect them to stop, but they don't. The cameras stay fixed forward. "Tomorrow will be the next event." I still when I hear his words. This is quick. "The palace wil
DariusHe stands waiting for me to agree, but I can't. No part of me can agree to walk away from her."Your children with her become a new species. The wolves you see now will forever change Darius. This was all to protect you.""Fuck you! This was all you manipulating us, using us to gain what you want." I'm not doing it."You will not choose her." He steps closer.Laughing, I nod. "You're too late. I already have. You can't stop me.""If you choose her, I will have an army within this palace that will instantly ensure she doesn't breathe. Then Kellan, just for fun." Growling, I step closer to him, and he laughs."You dare to threaten her and Kellan!""I was nice and let her stay with Kellan. You pick Lyra and leave the mutt alone!""No!" The word roars from within me, and I step closer. "You're not strong enough to force me to." I'm stronger than him. He moves and grabs me, my body slamming into the piano and smashing it."You were stronger, not now." His words are full of humour. J
Breakfast was quiet; no one spoke, and I feel like it's because we're all mentally preparing ourselves for today. While they are mentally preparing to face people and have to decide if they should offer them help or not.I'm preparing myself for that, along with the fact someone might actually take a shot at me. I'm also preparing myself to control Winter, who likes freedom and being wild. I feel that's more because she has spent twenty years in a cage. Then, I'm also preparing myself for the overwhelming feeling of being close to Kellan or Darius."Okay, ladies, I will select the first person now." William picks up a box and opens it. "Callista." He points towards a door. "The king is waiting on the other side for you." She nods and walks out. We now have to sit and wait an hour before finding out who is next."How are you feeling about this?" Sage looks at me."Nervous, it's a risk." It's a very big risk, but I guess I can't avoid it."There will be plenty of guards in there." Willi
William calls our attention to him, and Kellan is still sitting beside me, looking far too happy.“Elara, you’re next. We will have the TV on so you can watch it here. It gives you all something to do as you wait.” William smiles at us.“Come on, I will escort you.” Kellan jumps up.“It’s in the other room.” I don’t need escorting. I watch as he does anyway. He guided me through, and I found myself sitting next to Darius.“They will come up, express what they need, and you decide. Then I will confirm whether I agree or not.” He keeps his eyes forward.“That is fine. Are you okay?”“Totally, now concentrate.” His words are quiet, and I nod.I watch as people come up and speak to us. They ask for a range of things, from permission to open a new business to help with projects. I’ve seen parents come up asking for help with money or renovations on their homes that cost too much.Darius barely says anything. A simple nod or hum. Even when people start conversations and are genuinely friend