PHOENIXI can almost feel when it is about to happen. I don’t know what exactly to name the emotion but it is very clear to me, so I wasn’t that surprised when I woke up and I saw everything around me was dark. Too dark for me to see past my hands.I was aware of every other thing, the presence of other people, their attention not necessarily on me.“This is preposterous,” a loud voice booms in the room, almost making me jump because I didn’t expect it.“Keep your voice down,” a familiar one chastised.Heavy breathing is followed by the sounds of something being dragged. Chains, a person after. I heard the thud of a body being dropped and I tried to pry my eyes open, something tells me it would be important. But no matter how hard I tried to peel my eyes open, they felt glued shut.“He is here, your majesty.” The king is here? I tell myself after hearing the title.At least all those lessons about how to address the members of the royal family paid off.“Take the veil off.” The same f
EZRAThe past few weeks have been hectic. Since the ball, I don’t think we’ve had a straight peaceful night.The parliament has eased and though that meant I should be worried they were up to something, but other things are currently occupying my mind that I couldn’t care less what they did. Until it becomes a problem, that is.“You seem out of it, you sure you don’t want to take the day off?” Nate asks, studying me from the other end of the couch where he was sitting.“I have too many things to do and Phoenix is out with the girls,” the girls being Kiara and another girl I keep forgetting the name of. “They said something about going into the village.”He hums with a nod, a proud smile making its way to his face.I was very proud of her too. I knew she was worried about people liking her and how she was going to do this but she has proven to be even better than we all thought, exceeding expectations she didn't even know were set for her. Even my father is surprised by all she is doin
EZRAAlejandro didn’t bother pretending to like me when he saw me, he didn’t even act like he was happy to see me, which I respected him a little for. I hated ass kissers.“Father, you asked for me.” I didn’t spare Alejandro a glance after the first time our eyes met and I didn’t take a seat either, showing them both I didn’t plan on staying for long.I wanted to let Phoenix spend time with her girls but now I wanted to see her, I was getting desperate even.“Yes,” he said, giving Alejandro a look that I couldn’t decipher. “Take a seat please. We have something to talk about.”I sighed and lowered myself into the empty chair beside him. He still didn’t acknowledge me past the first one, not that I’m complaining.“Is there any problem?” I directed that last part to my father’s guest.“No, no problem.” Father said, clearing his throat. “Alejandro brought an offer and I wanted to hear your opinion on it.”My back stiffened but I nodded nevertheless, keeping my face passive and I waited f
PHOENIXI gathered my hair in my hands as much as I could. Turning from side to side to see how I looked from all angles, I sighed and just let the wild curls fall off my shoulders as it normally does.“You do know you look amazing, however you decide to leave your hair, right?” I spun on my heels, watching Ezra who was buttoning up his shirt.I popped one side of my hip out and chuckled, shaking my arms to release the muscles. It makes a cracking sound that I feel right down to my toes, the relief I felt made me moan.“You also shouldn’t make sounds like that when we are about to join others,” he covers the distance between us, nuzzling my neck in my throat and making a soft growling sound. “Especially my father.”“Maybe you should get Jax under control,” I teased, craning my neck to the side and giving him more access. “Not my fault.”He hummed in the back of his throat, his hold tightening on my waist. I chuckled and wiggled my waist. “Let me go or you’ll make it worse and I will n
PHOENIX Sibel smirked, looking smug as she strutted over to me.It was my turn to stiffen and I felt Ezra watching me, he ignored his brother and pulled me to the side, successfully blocking my view of her. It was perfect timing because a certain voice I’ve been hearing in my head suggested I knock her front teeth off. I didn’t want to get in a catfight, with someone like Sibel even.But my God, wouldn’t punching her feel so good?“You okay, babe?” he asks, his hands going straight into my hair. He tangles his fingers in the curly tresses and lowers his head to my ear.I know we are a bit closed off from the other people in the room but it was still too much PDA according to the royal rule book. We could as well just set it on fire now with how many times we have broken those rules.“Yes, I’m fine.” I smiled, though it felt fake even to me.Ezra saw right through me and he sighed, massaging my scalp with the hand that’s in my hair. I melted into his touch, closing my eyes at the amaz
EZRAAlejandro was up to something, I couldn’t point my finger on it but it couldn’t be good.I knew the man he brought to dinner but he was insignificant in everyone’s life, but he didn’t just bring him for nothing. Seeing this, I mind linked Nate, deciding it is better to have plan B ready, even if I don’t have a plan A yet.My mate was here and whatever game he was playing, I didn’t want her close to him, close to any of them.Zanders looked like he would rather be anywhere but here, though he keeps his thoughts to himself. He doesn’t even try to be polite and start a conversation with siren or anyone.I should start calling her with her actual name before I mess up. It might happen one of these days.I figured he'd just been friendly with her before to get on my nerves. The thing about karma is, she never forgets and he is about to get his.Father rings the bell, signaling the start of dinner and the maids start trooping in with the first course. I knew he would go overboard now t
PHOENIXMy eyes widened in shock and I have to say, it is the least reaction in the room. I stared at Zanders, just to be sure that he just said that and from the way he was seething, he didn’t regret it nor did he plan on taking it back.The other person that looked utterly livid in the room is Sibel’s father. His hands came down on the table, hard. His daughter jumped as did the other woman who came with his guest.“How dare you disrespect me like that?” he growled.Zanders rolled his eyes and turned to the man, his expression as calm as ever. Like he didn’t just say something that would have had anyone else killed.“Calm down, you’re barely relevant.” He mutters, sounding bored if anything. He turns to his father, the look still on his face. “My decision is final. You can find someone else to marry her, or you can do it yourself but I am not interested.”This gains Sibel’s attention and she turns to him sharply. She looked more irritated than anything and I had to fight the urge to
PHOENIXI thought the first silence was surprising but this, this just made everything stop. If I was told the world stopped moving too, I would believe it because everything felt that still.Zanders’ chest is heaving with every breath he takes, there is a vein that looks like it’s about to pop in his temple.“Well?!” he yells, making Sibel flinch.I held my breath as I waited for his next words. He sounded entirely too sure for this to be just him talking out of anger, there was no doubt in his voice that he knew who killed his mother.Moving ever so slowly, I turned to face the king and was surprised when I saw he looked normal, no trace of shock on his face, or even irritation. He looked almost like he knew.Did he?I looked at Ezra and he had a frown on his lips, his eyes were hard. I only then noticed his hand had released mine and he was clenching and unclenching his fists.“Don’t you have something to say?” he turned to Sibel’s father, his look downright murderous.He must have
PHOENIX It felt like I had been sleeping for years on end, and when I finally woke up, my entire body felt fatigued. Too heavy for me to lift even a finger. Ezra was beside me, he was wide awake and he was just watching me. I was aware of his presence, even in my unconscious state and that just made me realize how extremely lucky I am to have him in my life. “Hi,” he whispers, moving closer and pulling my body to his. I sigh when I feel his warmth surround me. He felt like peace, like home. “Hey,” my voice was weak from lack of use so I cleared my throat and tried again. it wasn’t any better not that he seemed to mind. “I feel like I have been sleeping for years.” I mutter, stretch and yawn as my bones make satisfactory pops all around. I felt slightly better after that stretch. “Three days,” Ezra says, his voice gentle and calm. I knew something was wrong from the way he sounded. Pushing back the heaviness I was feeling and the voice in my head telling me this was going to b
EZRA We have Alejandro and Hank in custody now, with audio and video proof of them admitting to all the things they had done.Yesterday had taken multiple unexpected turns but it turned out perfectly well if you asked me. I just had one thing to cross off my list before I can finally be at peace.I’m careful as I get out of bed. Phoenix is sleeping beside me. She has been out since last night when we came back with Nate and the cars they brought with them. I refused any medical checkup and instead stayed by my mate's side until she was cleared.The doctor, who thankfully knew what was happening, had stepped in for their actual doctor. They couldn’t deal with her face to face beforehand since they didn’t want their identity to be known, which made it easier for that to happen. A little overhaul and show of power by Nate had the actual doctor spilling, which allowed them to bring our doctor in.I was only able to alert Nate of what was happening but the second they drugged me, our conn
PHOENIX Alejandro is your typical bad guy, who would sit for hours and tell you how he came up with his perfect plans, the steps he followed, the moves you made that made it easy for him to win.I think I fell asleep five times during his anecdote, and each time I woke up, I prayed he would be done but my prayers weren't answered. We were all exhausted. In fact, he was the only one that didn’t seem tired of hearing himself.I started to feel sorry for him, because he clearly had issues. I couldn’t pinpoint where it stemmed from but he was more than due for therapy. And thanks to his torture, we all might too.“Enough.” Alpha Hank growls, getting off the wall he’d been resting on during his brother’s long history lesson.I have to admit, that is the one twist to the story I didn’t see coming. And though it doesn’t seem that significant, something tells me we need to be careful. I still have those dreams I’m not sure I translated well.At least, I feel better knowing Ezra is going to b
PHOENIX“Are you okay?” the doctor asks, looking over her shoulder in fear.“Do I look okay to you?” I mutter drily. I know I sound like a bitch but I couldn’t care less what she thought of me right now.She heaves a sigh and comes to stand in front me, she rethinks and immediately steps back, putting a little space between us. I only rolled my eyes because if I wanted to get to her, I would have since when Alpha Hank and Sibel’s dad were here. I’m not scared of them, even in the slightest bit.I’m biding my time because if I let whatever I’m feeling crackling under my skin take over, then I would rather it be worth it. I have a feeling there will be no going back from there.“You’re right, that is not the right question.” She huffs out a breath.I watched her, trying to look past the anger I’m feeling at her betrayal, to try and give her the benefit of the doubt but it doesn’t work. Maya just wants to tear her apart and it is taking everything I have in me to stop her from acting on
EZRAJax is losing his mind not knowing where Phoenix is or how she is managing.I’m calm for some reason, because I know she is alright. I don’t know how I know it, but I just di=o.‘Calm down, she is fine.’ I reply in a calming way, hoping it would help him relax but he just growls at me too. I sigh and throw my head back then almost immediately regret it when the wood dug into the back of my neck.They could have at least gotten comfortable chairs if they wanted to kidnap me. The chair is the most uncomfortable I have ever sat in.‘How can you be calm at a time like this?!’‘I trust Phoenix, if she was in danger she would have reached out to me by now.’ He just grunts. Not believing what I’m saying, or more accurately it wasn’t enough to make him calm down.‘And how can you be of help? Last I checked, you’re tied up.’‘I have you,’ I say with a small laugh. ‘I’m kidding.’ I immediately add before he does something dumb like try and hit me. Which is impossible but annoyance is a gre
PHOENIX I was tied up. It was the first thing I noticed when I woke up.I panicked immediately and tried to fight against the restraints but it was pointless. I didn’t even think to check to see if the person that has me tied up is still here. I just knew I needed to get out of here, I didn’t know how but I’ll be damned if I stay here for any moment longer.Ezra! The realization makes me stop struggling. I look around the room frantically, trying to see if I can see him but I’m alone.Everywhere is dark, if not for my wolf vision, I wouldn’t have been able to even make out anything.I’m on a wooden chair that is not comfortable in the least and my hands are tied behind me, so tightly that I fear that if I move the wrong way, I will pull them right out of their sockets.I couldn’t believe Jake’s dad was doing this. I didn’t even understand what he meant by the power I had was his. I never wanted it, but now that he so obviously wants it so he could hurt more people. He would have to k
PHOENIXI thought I was hearing things when I heard my old alpha’s voice. Jake’s dad. But when I turned, almost completely confident that I would find a different person, I saw him and my blood immediately went cold.Ezra’s hands tighten around me like he could feel the same negative energy I feel rolling off the man in waves.For the entire time I dated Jake, I wouldn’t say we were particularly close with his dad. I stayed away from him as much as I could because he just had this scary aura I didn’t like. Now, I’m seeing it as a different thing, especially as he bares his teeth in what I assume was supposed to be a smile.“What are you doing here?” I ask, my voice shaking slightly.He looks down at me, literally, and his lips turn down in distaste. He never really liked me but he never openly hated me. He just made it clear that he didn’t care what his son did with me. He looked like he wanted to slit my throat right now.“Shu—”“I would be careful how I finished that sentence if I w
EZRA Multiple times, I almost stopped Phoenix so I could kiss her and many more things. I managed to get my wolf to shut the hell up. This is extremely important for her—for both of us and our life. Our future.“Do you know where you’re going?” I ask her, circling my arm around her waist and pulling her to my side. She stretches and covers her mouth with her hand, yawning loudly.“I think I do,” she rests her head on my shoulder. I kiss the top of her head and hum in response.“I should have let you sleep more,” I murmured, steering her away from a tree root she hadn’t noticed.“I’m fine.” I only hum in response.She is stubborn but I loved her determination. I don’t know how she is doing it but i commend her hard work and efforts.Dealing with uncertainty and not knowing what to do or what is going to happen sucks. I’m unable to focus on anything, my mind is constantly running, thinking of things that could go wrong or another threat toward her.We have gone far from the main buildi
PHOENIX “Are you okay?” Ezra asks, his voice shaky as he holds both my shoulders. He wraps his arms around me, looks over my body, he is touching every part of me like he doesn’t even know where to check or where to stop.I’m not looking at him, instead I’m staring at his back, right at the large imposing building I have never seen before. We are not at the palace, this place looked unfamiliar but I feel like I have been here before. I feel the same feeling of déjà vu and I shake my head.“Phoenix?” I look back at Ezra, his amber eyes are filled with worry and he is panicking. I can read it in his body language.“I’m fine.” I’m surprised by how steady my voice sounds. “What happened?”I move out of his hold, a pained look crosses over his eyes but he doesn’t reach out for me, instead he stood to his feet when I did the same. Still standing at a safe distance, he reaches for my hand which I don’t offer.The way he looked like a scorned child made me feel bad but I don’t let that emoti