RaeI thought things between Von and I would be different from now on. But, I was wrong. Very wrong.The entire week leading up to Solstice Night had been buried in planning. Everyone had been running around, trying to make everything perfect. And then, when the night finally arrived, Von had acted like a grumpy child, barking orders and yelling at the maids like they were incompetent. And then he made Anna cry. That was my breaking point. I stormed up to him, not caring that he was in one of his moods. “Von!" I yelled. He snapped his head in my direction, flashing me a stern gaze.I wasn’t intimidated by his looks. I stood in front of him meeting his stern gaze. "What do you want?" Von asked in a firm tone."You didn’t have to yell at Anna," I snapped. "She just mixed up the dishes, that’s all—""I don’t need you telling me how to handle my staff." His voice was cold, his glare sharper than usual. “I’m just trying to let you know that what you did was wrong.” I continued not ca
Rae“Sorry!” I said as I bumped into someone.“Can’t you see where you’re going?” She snapped, turning to look at me.I noticed the girl looked like those ugly step-sisters in story books, with her long nose.“I’m sorry!” I repeated stifling a laugh.“You better be!” She spat, shooting me a glare and I flashed her an awkward smile. She turned to face the man she was talking to before I hit her, and as I glanced at her one more time I wondered if she had a mate and if she didn’t if she was ever going to find one.Pulling my gaze away, I quickly walked past her trying as much as possible not to bump into anyone else.My focus returned to Von. I had been walking for a second but there was no sign of him. Wasn’t he at the party?As I continued weaving through the crowd, I could feel eyes following me, lingering a bit too long. I felt weird about the attention I was getting. It had been so long since I’d been around so many people. The last time I’d gotten this kind of attention was bac
VonThe man turned, his face paling when he saw me. He instantly let go of Rae, stepping back in fear. “You dare touch her?” I growled.He stammered, “I—It was just a joke, I swear—” My eyes darkened. “A joke? You think assaulting a woman is a joke?” The man squirmed. “I didn’t mean—” I grabbed him by the collar, yanking him back. His breath stopped, and I could feel the rapid thudding of his heartbeat. "You don’t deserve to call yourself a man after what you just tried to do."As I said the words, something twisted inside me. My mind flashed back to that night when I had lost control—when I had let my emotions override my sense of reason. Rae had been at my mercy then, just as she was now. I wasn’t supposed to say this. I wasn’t supposed to judge him when I was guilty of something too. Keeping my expression unreadable, I shoved him backward. "If you ever try something like this again," I growled, "I will kill you." The man trembled, nodding furiously before stumbling away i
Rae "I hope you're not trying to kidnap me!" I teased as I followed Von down the lonely forest path. The night air was chilly, carrying the faint sounds of the Solstice party in the distance. We had managed to slip away unnoticed, the towering trees now our only company. Von scoffed. "Why would I kidnap a girl who already lives the life of a prisoner?" I rolled my eyes. "You just had to say that." He chuckled—actually chuckled. It was the first time I had ever heard him laugh, and the sound was… unexpectedly warm. It softened the sharp edges of his usual cold demeanor. For a fleeting moment, I forgot about his gruffness, and his mood swings, and just listened. His laughter was deep, rich, and oddly soothing. "I'm just stating facts," he said between chuckles, shaking his head. I smiled, shaking my head in return. "So, how much farther until we reach this secret place of yours?" Von had already taken a few long strides ahead, but he turned to glance at me over his sh
Von A sharp, continuous banging on my door shattered the quiet morning, dragging me out of sleep. I groaned, running a hand through my hair before pushing myself upright. I didn’t want to answer. I planned to just ignore it until it stopped. But the knocking didn’t stop. Whoever was on the other side of the door had no patience. I swung my legs off the bed and stood, grabbing a robe as I made my way to the door. I was hoping it wasn’t a maid. I might end up losing my mind if it was.When I yanked it open, one of my guards stood there, with a grim expression on his face.“How dare you know my door in that manner?” I yelled.“I’m sorry Alpha!” He said in an unapologetic tone.I kept my face stern. “What happened?”He hesitated before speaking. “something terrible has happened.”I frowned, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. “What’s wrong?” “There’s been an attack,” the guard said, his breathing slightly ragged. “One of the border guards was badly wounded. The others… they didn’t make
Rae“Well, that was weird,” I muttered, watching as Von stormed off down the hall. Anna, standing beside me, raised an eyebrow. “Weird?” she echoed. “Didn’t you see the way he was looking at you?” I frowned, shaking my head. “No, I didn’t.” Anna let out an exaggerated sigh. “He was staring at you like a lovesick puppy.” I scoffed. “You’ve lost your mind.” “I’m being serious!” Anna insisted, placing a hand on her hip. “I know what I saw, and I saw Von looking at you like you were the only person in the room.” I rolled my eyes. “You must’ve been seeing things.” “I wasn’t,” she said smugly. “And I think he’s softening toward you. He took you to a secluded place, didn’t he? You really think that’s just some random spot?” “It wasn’t special,” I argued. “He probably just wanted to get me away from the party. That’s all.” Anna crossed her arms. “You’re really going to act like you can’t see the signs?” “There are no signs,” I shot back. “You need to stop with this nonsens
Rae “Von, wait!” I called him once again, my voice carrying down the hallway. Von didn’t reply. He acted like I was invisible like I wasn’t there. His strides were faster, and his shoulders tense with anger or frustration—I wasn’t sure which. “Von!” I called again, quickening my pace. “Leave me be,” he finally spoke up, I ignored his words and kept moving toward him. “I’m not going to leave.” He didn’t acknowledge me once again, and when he finally reached his room, he slammed the door shut behind him, shutting me out completely. I stood there, staring at the closed door, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. What had come over me? Why did I care so much? Why did I feel this strong urge to talk to him? I exhaled, shaking my head. It was pointless. If Von wanted to sulk in silence, then fine. I had done my part. Later that evening, the cool night breeze drifted through the terrace, carrying the scent of fresh pine and damp earth. I stood near the edge,
Von I stared at Rae, waiting for her to speak. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came. I could see the conflict in her eyes, the hesitation. She was weighing her options, deciding what my offer truly meant for her. I knew asking this way was the only way I could right my wrongs. I didn’t want to force her into anything again. I wanted her to accept things willingly. "Rae," I called her name again. She inhaled as if finally ready to respond, and during that moment, the door swung open. "My king," one of my guards interrupted. "We’ve captured a man at the border." My jaw tightened. "Is he a rogue?" The guard hesitated. "No, Your Majesty. He claims to be related to you." A sharp breath left me. "Related?" My mind raced. I had no living relatives. At least, none that I knew of. I pushed my chair back and stood. "Where is he?" "In the throne room, Your Majesty." I turned to Rae. "Stay here. I’ll be back soon." She nodded in response, and I followed my guard
RaeThe minute I turned to the other side I realized that the bed was empty.Anna was gone. The sheets beside me were cold, meaning she had left a while ago. I blinked against the dull ache in my head, my body feeling heavy as if I hadn’t moved in days. When I sat up, my eyes caught my reflection in the mirror across the room. I barely recognized myself. My eyes were swollen and rimmed with dark circles from endless crying. My hair was tangled from the restless nights of tossing and turning. I looked empty and Lost. I forced myself to look away so I didn’t end up being reminded of my misery not that I cared. I hadn’t showered in two days. Hadn’t eaten. I was living life like I was on the edge of it.With slow movements, I pulled myself out of bed, dragging my feet across the cold floor. My body protested with every step, but I kept moving. I left my room, my mind numb as I made my way downstairs. The palace was quiet, the kind of silence that made grief feel heavier. As
Rae The next day arrived, and my heart felt heavier than it did yesterday. Luigi arrived at the palace quite early.I had sighted him from the courtyard and paid him no attention. He had stopped me from attending my own husband’s funeral and I saw him as an enemy.“Luna!” He called my attention. I was surprised he addressed me with that title but I didn’t let him know I was.I even acted like I didn’t exist and I didn’t hear him speak.“I know you heard me!” He said boldly and I remained as I was until he walked in my direction.“I don’t know why you are acting this way.” He said and I kept my head tilted. “I just wanted to let you know that the ceremonial procession for a new king needs to begin right away.”His last words caught my attention and I turned to look at him.“A new king?” I scoffed. “Von just died, at least give the people time to mourn.”“That’s not possible.““Why?” I asked.“An empty throne gives the enemy chances to attack.” He replied. “That’s why it is very import
Rae“Luna!” The guards had called out to me as I paraded the throne room the next day.I had come to the throne room the minute I woke up.I was hoping the words that Jace told me were all a lie and that I would find Von sitting on his throne, but when I got here I realized that Jace words weren’t some fantasy.It was true.My von was no more.I had broken out in sobs just like did yesterday, clutching my chest as the weight of the truth fell on me. “Luna!” The guards called out again.I turned and I saw one of them step forward, holding something in his hands. It was a piece of Von’s cloak and his sword. I stared at the torn fabric, my heart hammering against my ribs. The morning air felt heavier, pressing against me, and stealing my breath. “We could not find his body, Luna.” The guard said in a firm voice. “It seemed the rogues got rid of it.” I met his gaze, sorrow filling my eyes. A bitter part of me already knew what he would say before he did. “Keep it in the bed
Von “Rogues,” I muttered to myself, as I walked out to the palace. The word sent a chill through my veins. I had known this was coming. For days now, something in my gut had been warning me. I hadn’t had a vision in a while, but I could feel the uneasy feeling creeping inside even after Rae’s attack.The minute I saw Jace, I spoke up.“I need you to bring the guards at the courtyard to the border, rouges have been sighted beyond.”“Is there an attack?” He asked.“There will be” I responded. “So come prepared.”Jace nodded and I walked towards my car.“Where to your majesty?” The driver asked stepping right in front of me.“Don’t worry,” I responded. “I will be driving myself.”He nodded and then he walked away.I got into the car quickly, and before I shut the door I remembered I didn’t take my sword.I sent one of the guards close by to get it for me and once he did I zoomed off.My hands gripped the wheel tightly as I sped toward the border. I pressed harder on the accelera
RaeWhen we returned to the palace, the sky was cloaked in darkness, the moon was visible behind thick clouds. Von and I barely made it through the hallways before our lips found each other again. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me against him as we stumbled toward our chambers, lost in the heat of the moment. But just as we neared the door, a sharp voice stopped us. “My King,” one of the guards called, his expression grave. Von sighed, pulling away from me reluctantly. “What is it?” “Rogues have been spotted beyond the border.” Von’s expression changed, his golden eyes darkened, and the relaxed man who had just been kissing me disappeared in an instant. “I have to go.” He said pulling away from me.I swallowed hard. “Von, be careful.” He cupped my face, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead. “I’ll be right back,” he promised before turning to the guard. “Gather the others. Tell them to come to the courtyard.” I watched him disappear down the hallway, my stomach t
RaeThe ride back to the palace was tense. Von hadn’t said a word since we left the town square. I could feel the frustration radiating off him in waves. He wanted to finish Luigi. I knew that, but I had stopped him once again and that hurt his ego.When we arrived at the palace, the silence continued. I wanted to address the matter quickly but Von had called the attention of the guards immediately we stepped into the palace and told them to meet him in the study.“Give me three minutes.” He told me before heading to the study.As I made my way to the room, Anna approached me and she did not look happy.“How dare you run off like that?” She questioned.“I’m so sorry but I was worried about Von.”She rolled her eyes at me, and I knew she wouldn’t stay mad at me. It was typical Anna.“You want me to keep getting on the king’s naughty list.” His words pulled me out of my thoughts.“That’s not going to happen,” I told her. “Von wouldn’t do anything to you he’s actually angry at me.“I s
RaeAs the car neared town, I could hear the shouts echoing through the streets. People were yelling, their voices filled with anger and fear. The town felt like a battlefield, with pack members pushing against the guards who stood like an impenetrable wall around the center of the commotion. "Pull over," I ordered the driver, in a firm voice.He hesitated for a moment, glancing at me as if second-guessing whether he should obey. But one look at my determined expression, and he gave in, slowing the vehicle until it came to a stop. I stepped out and immediately felt the heat of the situation but what caught my attention first was Von. He was standing in the middle of the street, flashing the people one of his cold gazes, and beside him—on his knees was Luigi whose hands were tied behind his back.There was also blood dripping out of his nose and his face looked like it had received thousands of blows.I was a bit confused. Why was Luigi in that position? I thought all Von want
Rae I woke to the sound of movement only to see Von getting dressed.“I thought you were going to stay with me today,” I said as I adjusted myself on the bed."I can’t. I have an important meeting with the councilmen," he said, fastening the last button on his crisp shirt. I didn’t need to ask him what meeting. I knew the reason behind the meeting. He was going to address what happened at the market, and more importantly, he was going to pass his new law to the pack. I sat up, the sheets pooling around me. "Von… just don’t overreact, okay?" He glanced at me, his expression unreadable. "I’m only doing what needs to be done, Rae." I sighed, hoping that he wouldn’t do anything crazy. After he left, I made my way to the maids’ chambers, where Anna and I often spent time together anytime Von left. She was coming out of the bathroom when I walked in, but as soon as she saw me, her face lit up.“I thought your little honeymoon was going to continue.” She said shooting me a smug l
Rae I decided to speak to Jace about the whole Von issue I knew he would have answers, but there was one problem though, I haven't seen him since the incident. Jace was always at the border. Von was still angry at him and felt this was his little way of punishing him. I didn’t bother questioning von about his actions because I knew he would end up feeding me with lies.Anyways Jace would go to the border during the early hours of the day according to Anna’s observation.So I decided to wake up very early. It was the only way I could catch up with him. I found Jace at the entrance just as he was preparing to leave the palace. His sword was strapped to his waist, and he happened to be armored up. "Jace," I called after him. He paused, turning to face me. His expression shifted as he took an exaggerated bow. "My lady," he said dramatically. I rolled my eyes. "You just had to be extra, didn’t you?" "I'm merely paying respect to the Luna," he replied with an easy grin. "We