Tessa’s POVThe room was dark and I squinted to see. I stepped into the room, the darkness overwhelming. I walked forward cautiously, waving my hands in the air until my fingers finally brushed against something. I groped it and then realized with relief it was a light switch. I pressed it, and the room was instantly bathed in light.It was a massive room, so big that it left me stunned. It was at least five times larger than my father’s bedroom back home. But there was a strangeness about the room. It was eerily sparse, with barely any furniture or décor.Apart from a grand bed, a sofa, and a chandelier, there was nothing else. Nothing at all. No coffee table, no desk, not even any pictures on the wall or other decorations of any kind.At first, I was surprised by this, however, as I looked around I realized that despite the emptiness, the room’s design radiated a vintage elegance. It was a strange blend of refinement and comfort that offered, somehow, an inexplicable sense of sec
Tessa’s POVPrince Sylvan grabbed his neck and threw his body violently to the ground. I watched in horror as a spurt of blood escaped his throat, and sprayed onto his silver hair, staining it. Why was he doing this? Why was he hurting himself like that?My heart swelled with sympathy as I rushed over in a panic. I couldn’t leave. I had to help him. He was all alone. I knelt down beside his crumpled form on the floor and collected him into my arms. He made a soft moaning sound, allowing himself to be held by me.“Are you okay? What’s happening to you?” I asked, my voice trembling with concern.I noticed that his eyes were now black. His silver hair hung messily over his face and I gently smoothed it away with my fingertips. I studied his face. He looked exhausted, as though every line of his face screamed with weariness. He met my eyes then and I watched the look of shock enter his eyes. He was in utter disbelief that I had stayed. He furrowed his brows and then his face contorted
Tessa’s POVMy wolf?Could it be? Has my wolf finally awakened? But how? She hadn’t come to me the night of my sixteenth birthday as I’d so desperately hoped she would. I figured I didn’t have a wolf. Yet, here she was, calling out to me, calling my name. My jaw fell open in stunned silence as her image emerged in my mind. Azura had a thick coat of pure white fur. It was the whitest fur I’d ever seen. She radiated grace, strength, and power. I was in utter disbelief at the sheer majesty of her. I’d dreamed many times about my wolf, about what she would look like, how she would sound. But I never, in a million years, dreamed she’d be anything like this. I’d never seen a wolf more beautiful or formidable than Azura. I longed to touch her, to run my fingers through her snow white fur, to nestle my head into her neck. But right now, she was trapped—frozen in place, unable to move.‘Milo,’ my wolf called out. I cocked my head in confusion. She repeated the name and I realized
Tessa’s POVI woke up the next morning, disoriented at first. I had the panicked feeling that came from not knowing where you were. But then pieces of the night flooded back to me. I was somewhere in Prince Sylvan’s palace, in the basement, in an empty room of cold, hard cement.I’d fallen asleep with Prince Sylvan wrapped around me. But I got my bearings, I quickly realized that he wasn’t there. I sat up, groggy and sore from sleeping on the ground. Carefully, I stood up, afraid that my tired legs wouldn’t be able to bear my own weight. With one hand on the wall to steady myself, I moved towards the door. I wondered for a moment if the whole thing had been a dream? Has it all really happened? Prince Sylvan and his forlorn face, twisted in agony. His massive wolf erupts through his body. My own wolf awakening and calling out to his. And then? I shuddered as I remembered the soft sensation of Prince Sylvan’s kisses across my neck.I got to the door and twisted the door knob. Bu
Tessa’s POV“Get out of bed, you lazy idiot! It’s time to make breakfast for the pack!” the head maid snapped at me, rudely yanking the blankets off me. I groaned and looked out the window. The sky was still dark; it wasn’t even dawn yet!“I’m getting up,” I groaned, as my heart sank at the thought of the chores that lay ahead. I was the Alpha's daughter, but ever since Luna—my mother—died giving birth to me, I became the pack’s disgrace. Everyone in the pack, including my father and brother, utterly despised me.I climbed out of bed, my body weak and frail from years of malnourishment and abuse. I was assigned the dirtiest, most grueling, and most exhausting chores in the pack, and when I made even the smallest mistake, I was punished harshly for it.The head maid flung a tattered gown at me and threw me daggers with her eyes. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I changed, and I turned away quickly, disgusted by the scars and bruises all over my body.An hour later, co
Tessa’s POVI sat quietly in the attic, waiting. I waited all through the night, watching the shaft of moonlight creep across the floor. The entire night passed, but my wolf never came. Despair engulfed me.Why didn’t I have a wolf? Was it because I was malnourished? Had my lack of nutrients physically weakened my wolf?Or was it something else?Was it… because my birth was too sinful? I had, after all, killed my own mother, just like everyone in the pack said. I was personally responsible for the death of the noble Luna. Perhaps the Moon Goddess had refused to bless me because of it. As silent tears streamed down my face, the attic door creaked open. I lifted my head to see my brother, Sandon, step inside. Normally, the first thing Sandon would do when he saw me was kick me. He reveled in my pain and misery. But today, he simply stood in the doorway and announced with a mocking tone, “Your punishment game is over.” I braced herself for my next round of chores. I could only
Tessa’s POVI felt my stomach churn violently, as bile rose in my throat. For a moment, I feared I was going to vomit up everything I’d just eaten. I pushed the plate away and sat, trying desperately to blink back my tears.This couldn’t be happening. This wasn’t real, I told myself as I sat, staring at my half-eaten plate of food in shock.Surely, Father couldn’t be that cruel! Marrying me off to Alpha Charles was a fate worse than death as far as I was concerned. What had I done to deserve this?‘You killed your mother,’ a voice inside my head said. ‘Your brother is right. You are a sinful freak.’But even so, why couldn’t I just stay there, with my pack. I would do any chore asked of me and I wouldn’t complain. I would suffer the abuse and the cruel punishments without spilling even so much as a tear if it meant I didn’t have to leave and marry Alpha Charles.I tried to take steadying breaths as I pushed down the rising bile in my throat. If only I had my wolf, then maybe I sto
Tessa’s POVThe carriage tore down the path. I couldn’t even bear to look out the window. I felt as though my soul had left my body, like I was a puppet with its strings cut off as we sped towards Alpha Charles’ pack. I sat in stunned silence the entire way, trying to push aside the feeling of impending doom that threatened to swallow me whole.After what felt like a lifetime, we finally arrived at Alpha Charles’ Pack, the Sliver Moon Pack. The carriage halted to a stop and the soldiers didn’t even bother to step out of the carriage. They simply opened the door and shoved me out with callous force before driving off, leaving me all alone in a strange and unsettling place. I took a cautious look around and swallowed hard. The buildings were painted in vibrant, almost garish colors. They gave off an unsettling, ominous sense of chaotic energy. My unease grew. I didn’t know what to do or where to go, so I just stood there, wringing my hands in front of me.It wasn’t long before a
Tessa’s POVI woke up the next morning, disoriented at first. I had the panicked feeling that came from not knowing where you were. But then pieces of the night flooded back to me. I was somewhere in Prince Sylvan’s palace, in the basement, in an empty room of cold, hard cement.I’d fallen asleep with Prince Sylvan wrapped around me. But I got my bearings, I quickly realized that he wasn’t there. I sat up, groggy and sore from sleeping on the ground. Carefully, I stood up, afraid that my tired legs wouldn’t be able to bear my own weight. With one hand on the wall to steady myself, I moved towards the door. I wondered for a moment if the whole thing had been a dream? Has it all really happened? Prince Sylvan and his forlorn face, twisted in agony. His massive wolf erupts through his body. My own wolf awakening and calling out to his. And then? I shuddered as I remembered the soft sensation of Prince Sylvan’s kisses across my neck.I got to the door and twisted the door knob. Bu
Tessa’s POVMy wolf?Could it be? Has my wolf finally awakened? But how? She hadn’t come to me the night of my sixteenth birthday as I’d so desperately hoped she would. I figured I didn’t have a wolf. Yet, here she was, calling out to me, calling my name. My jaw fell open in stunned silence as her image emerged in my mind. Azura had a thick coat of pure white fur. It was the whitest fur I’d ever seen. She radiated grace, strength, and power. I was in utter disbelief at the sheer majesty of her. I’d dreamed many times about my wolf, about what she would look like, how she would sound. But I never, in a million years, dreamed she’d be anything like this. I’d never seen a wolf more beautiful or formidable than Azura. I longed to touch her, to run my fingers through her snow white fur, to nestle my head into her neck. But right now, she was trapped—frozen in place, unable to move.‘Milo,’ my wolf called out. I cocked my head in confusion. She repeated the name and I realized
Tessa’s POVPrince Sylvan grabbed his neck and threw his body violently to the ground. I watched in horror as a spurt of blood escaped his throat, and sprayed onto his silver hair, staining it. Why was he doing this? Why was he hurting himself like that?My heart swelled with sympathy as I rushed over in a panic. I couldn’t leave. I had to help him. He was all alone. I knelt down beside his crumpled form on the floor and collected him into my arms. He made a soft moaning sound, allowing himself to be held by me.“Are you okay? What’s happening to you?” I asked, my voice trembling with concern.I noticed that his eyes were now black. His silver hair hung messily over his face and I gently smoothed it away with my fingertips. I studied his face. He looked exhausted, as though every line of his face screamed with weariness. He met my eyes then and I watched the look of shock enter his eyes. He was in utter disbelief that I had stayed. He furrowed his brows and then his face contorted
Tessa’s POVThe room was dark and I squinted to see. I stepped into the room, the darkness overwhelming. I walked forward cautiously, waving my hands in the air until my fingers finally brushed against something. I groped it and then realized with relief it was a light switch. I pressed it, and the room was instantly bathed in light.It was a massive room, so big that it left me stunned. It was at least five times larger than my father’s bedroom back home. But there was a strangeness about the room. It was eerily sparse, with barely any furniture or décor.Apart from a grand bed, a sofa, and a chandelier, there was nothing else. Nothing at all. No coffee table, no desk, not even any pictures on the wall or other decorations of any kind.At first, I was surprised by this, however, as I looked around I realized that despite the emptiness, the room’s design radiated a vintage elegance. It was a strange blend of refinement and comfort that offered, somehow, an inexplicable sense of sec
Tessa’s POVI couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. For all intents and purposes, it seemed like Prince Sylvan couldn’t wait to get away from me. He’d just barked orders at Beta Parker to get a room ready for me and then marched off, ignoring me, like I didn’t matter at all.I felt like I was right back at square one. I was still the same unwanted outcast, shirked off by everyone, still a sinner in everyone’s eyes.Beta Parker led me to the palace doors. The Prince had already disappeared, somewhere inside. A maid rushed over and Beta Parker greeted her.“Head Maid Alice,” he said. “This is the Prince’s mate.” I noticed that he didn’t even use my name. Did I not even matter enough to be addressed by my name? “Take care of her,” Beta Parker continued, handing me off to the maid. “Make sure she gets a bath and everything she needs.”The Head Maid looked me up and down before giving me a knowing smile. I wasn’t sure exactly what she ‘knew’ but she took my arm and led me up
Tessa’s POV“Strawberry… sweet…”I heard Prince Sylvan’s deep voice murmuring softly in my ear.Strawberry? I grappled to understand what he was talking about as he continued to hold me tightly in the back seat of the car.His calloused hand trailed slowly from my calf to my thigh. My breath hitched in my throat as I felt his hand slip naturally beneath the hem of my dress, stopping on my hip.I froze, my heart pounding against my ribs as I felt his fingers knead my skin in a deliberate way. Waves of tension ripped through my body. All I could do was sit, perfectly still, while his lips, warm and unrelenting, grazed my neck, then my collarbone, and then my shoulder. The air was dead silent in the back of the car, and I heard his breath quicken. I couldn’t tell if it was just my imagination, but Prince Sylvan’s entire body seemed to radiate heat. I trembled under his touch, my nerves fraying with each passing second. What was he doing? Why was he doing this? And was his touch
Tessa’s POVI didn’t immediately understand what Prince Sylvan meant.Revenge of Alpha Charles? That had to be what he was referring to, but I was confused. Alpha Charles was going to face the Werewolf Council. They’d issue judgement and punish him accordingly. So what was this revenge that Prince Sylvan was talking about?Prince Sylvan didn’t wait for me to respond though. Instead, he ordered me to get dressed. He stood and tossed me the clean dress that the maid had brought in.His voice was cold and sharp, and I didn’t dare ask questions. So I grabbed the dress and turned my back to him. Once I had covered my top, I stood and let it fall to the floor.Prince Sylvan cocked his head to the side, a strange expression on his face. Was it want? Desire? Need? Lust? I wasn’t sure, but without a word he strode towards me and scooped me up in his arms. He kicked open the door with his foot and headed for the pack house’s exit.I struggled against his arms, trying to signal to him t
Tessa’s POVAs the towel slipped away, I immediately scurried backwards on the bed, reaching for the blankets to cover myself up. I hauled the blankets up over my legs and chest, leaving only my back exposed.He’d seen me naked, but only for a flash. I felt instantly better as the covers hid my naked body from his intense gaze.The room was eerily quiet, and I could distinctly hear Prince Sylvan’s breathing grow heavier. I turned on the bed, positioning myself so that my bare back was turned to him. I couldn’t see him behind me so I had no idea what he was doing. This only served to heighten my awareness though. Suddenly, I felt his warm, slightly rough fingers, coated with salve, made contact with my skin. The salve was cool and provided instant relief. But his touch caused every single nerve in my body to come alive. He rubbed the salve gingerly over my wounds. Then I heard him dip his fingers back into the jar. He continued applying the salve to every whip mark across my back a
Tessa’s POV“One hour. That's all we’ve got,” Prince Sylvan said as he carried me to a room. I could tell by his things on the floor that this was the room he’d used the night before.He set me down gently on the sofa and a maid immediately walked in brandishing a fresh dress and medicine for my wounds. She placed both the dress and medicine on the bedside stand and turned to leave, but before she did, I noticed her hesitate, her eyes lingering shyly on the strikingly handsome Lycan Prince. I didn’t blame her, he was devastatingly attractive. I was sure he drew a female gaze wherever he went.Prince Sylvan’s gaze stayed fixed on me, but he seemed to sense the maid’s lingering stare. Without sparing her a glance, he ordered coldly, “Leave.”The maid flinched and then bowed quickly before scurrying out of the room like she couldn’t escape fast enough.Prince Sylvan turned back to me and his hands moved to help me undress. Startled by this, I instinctively recoiled.His hands froze m