RaeThe moment I stepped outside, I felt a lot better.I was so thankful to Malcolm for whisking me away. I needed this but I didn’t tell him that. I kept a straight face.Malcolm walked beside me, and as we ventured out of the packed gate, his presence was oddly reassuring even though I barely knew him. “Going somewhere dangerous, are we?” I asked, arching a brow. Malcolm smirked, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Would it be fun if we weren’t?” His easygoing nature put me at ease, though I know I shouldn’t let it. As we walked deeper into the forest, the pack grew faint as I glanced back at the path we had walked. I didn’t even know that we had walked this far.“It’s weird to see a Royal who’s not interested in the ceremony,” I spoke as I turned to look at him.“Like I said before I’m different.” Malcom pointed out. “And have come to realize that people don’t like different that’s why I chose to stay away from them.” “So that’s why you’re not mingling with the other alphas
Rae My breath caught in my throat and my heart pounded violently in my chest as I remembered my experiences with rogues. These crazy wolves wouldn’t stop until they killed someone. I turned to look at Malcolm who had his eyes glued on them. He looked like he was ready to fight. I sighed. Why can’t I ever go on a trip that ends peacefully? “Rogues,” Malcom said stating the obvious and his words had caught their attention. The man who had spoken earlier grinned. “Smart kid,” he drawled. “Too bad you won’t live long enough to share more of your intelligence with the world.” I swallowed hard. Malcolm raised his hands slightly and he pointed it in the man’s direction while his other hand remained on me. “I don’t want blood on my hands,” he said carefully. The man I assumed was their leader chuckled. “Oh, but we do.” Everything happened quickly, one minute I was standing next to Malcolm and the next the rogue leader had gripped my arm in a bruising hold, yanking me away fr
Von“There’s one thing I gotta tell you, young Prince-“ Bruce's irritatedly loud voice filled the air.“What’s that?” Edgar asked.“Ruling a pack is really fun. You will get to find your Luna and if she’s beautiful you will have a pretty woman by your side and many more that’s if you fancy some fun.”I shook my head as I took in his other words. I couldn’t believe that Edgar was actually listening to him. It seemed everyone at the table was doing the same because everywhere was quiet and their eyes were glued to him.I grabbed my goblet and noticed it was half empty.I looked around for the servers and the minute I sighted one I raised my goblet.The server approached me, poured me a drink, and disappeared.“Don’t be like Von!” Bruce's irritating voice picked up. “He’s the only one in the wolf kingdom who we know doesn’t have a bastard.”“My father doesn’t have a bastard,” Edgar spoke up.Bruce chuckled. “Lies, they tell you.”Edgar looked confused and I just rolled my eyes.“Von, he
Von I had barely made it past the gate before my eyes landed on a familiar figure. Malcolm— the 57th crowned prince of the Red Flames pack. I didn’t know he was around.As I analyzed him, I noticed he was carrying someone in his arms. The second I recognized the person in his hands I growled.The scent of blood was sharp in the air, making my wolf stir violently inside me. My fists clenched at my sides as rage took over my chest. What the hell happened?Malcolm looked exhausted, his dark hair disheveled, his clothes torn in places. But none of that mattered to me. My focus was solely on Rae—her pale face, and the blood staining her clothing. I stormed forward. “What the hell happened?” Malcolm met my glare. “Rogues,” he said. “They attacked us.” Another growl rumbled in my throat, my hands itching to hit something—someone. I took another step toward him. “And what were you doing with her in the first place?” “The guards had told me they had seen you wander off. I hope yo
Rae A knock at the door stirred me from my thoughts. My body was still sore, though the pain had reduced a bit. I shifted slightly, pulling the blankets tighter around me before calling out, “Come in.” The door creaked open, and Malcolm stepped inside. His expression was unreadable at first, but then his lips curved as his gaze swept over me. Without a word, he strode forward and dropped to his knees beside the bed. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice was filled with guilt. “I never should have taken you out there. This is all my fault.” I sighed, shaking my head. “Malcolm, it’s fine.” “No, it’s not.” His fists clenched. “You got hurt because of me.” I reached out, placing a hand on his arm. “I made my own choice. You didn’t force me to go.” His tense shoulders eased slightly. He looked at me for a long moment before offering a small smile. “You’re stronger than you look, you know.” I scoffed. “I don’t know if bleeding out in the forest qualifies as strength.” “It do
RaeI stared at Malcolm, in this belief. “You have to be kidding.”“I’m not,” Malcom said. “I’m actually going to do this.”“You sound ridiculous,” I said. “The whole idea is very ridiculous.”“It’s not,” Malcom said. He had stood on his feet and now he was leaning against the wall, with an infuriating smirk plastered on his face. “This is a way for me to prove my point. A smart way.”“There’s nothing smart about this. This is crazy Malcom and I don’t think we should do this.”Malcolm's brow furrowed.“Why do you sound scared?”I huffed. “It’s because I am, I don’t think Von is someone we should mess with. Your plan would only irritate him.”“And that would give me the proof I need!” He added, just after that word left my lips.I huffed. “And what exactly is that proof you need?” Malcolm straightened, stretching his arms over his head before giving me a lazy grin. “That Von likes you. Why are you acting like you have forgotten?”I rolled my eyes. “That’s because I don’t believe you
VonThe moment Rae entered the hall, my eyes found her. Her dress was simple, and unadorned, yet on her, it looked regal. The soft fabric clung to her body in a way that made my fists tighten beneath the table. She doesn’t belong here—not like this, not with him. And yet, there she was. Malcolm stood too close to her, and I could feel the air in my lungs seize as I watched both of them. Malcom leaned in, whispering something in her ear that made her laugh. My stomach twisted at the sight, and a foreign and unwelcome sensation made its way through my chest. I was losing my mind. By the time Malcolm led her toward a seat, I was already moving. “Von!” Alpha Edgar called out but I ignored him. All I cared about was facing Malcom and Rae. I just had to.With the speed at which I moved, anyone staring at me would think I was trying to stop a child from falling but this was much more than that.Well to me, it was and that annoyed me. I wasn’t supposed to be acting this way. It wa
Von I didn’t sleep in the room last night. I just couldn’t. I spent the entire night roaming through the hallway like some ghost with an unfinished business.“Alpha!” It was the sound of a voice that jolted me awake. I didn’t know that I had fallen asleep on one of the benches outside.I turned to see one of the guards. I was grateful it was a guard that found me and not one of the Alphas.“Are you fine your majesty?” He asked, and I nodded.“Just enjoying the early morning fresh air.” He scanned me for a while before speaking up.“Alpha Edgar said I should inform you that there would be a meeting held at his study after breakfast.”I nodded and immediately the guard walked away. He was all armored up for some reason. It was like he was going to fight a war. Did something happen?I didn’t bother to dwell on that thought. I stood on my feet, heading to the room.The moment I stepped into the room, Rae stood before the mirror, tying the last ribbon on the back of her dress. My eyes
Rae I stared at Anna in disbelief, my lips parted but no words coming out. I couldn’t believe what I just heard. I felt like I was in a nightmare. I managed to pull myself out of the haze staring back at Anna. “You’re saying… I have to die to save the kingdom?” My voice cracked as I spoke, and my legs felt unsteady beneath me.Anna gave a slow nod, her eyes filled with sadness.“I don’t understand,” I said, forcing myself to stand. “Why me? How am I the reason for the curse?”“I don’t know, Rae,” she replied gently. “But Von might. He’s been keeping everything to himself. I think he knows more than he’s saying.”I shook my head. “This can’t be real. I refuse to believe it.”My heart pounded in my chest. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. The walls were closing in. A thousand thoughts ran through my mind, crashing into each other. I didn’t want to cry, but tears burned behind my eyes anyway.Anna stepped closer. “Please calm down. Landon’s looking for a witch. He believes there might b
RaeThe dim light crept into view, it was blurry and soft at first, like a distant memory trying to settle into focus. My head felt heavy, and my body… foreign. I blinked a few times, trying to ground myself in the space around me. Everything was unfamiliar. I was disoriented. My arms ached, and when I looked down, I noticed wires—tubes—stripped across my body. I couldn’t tell if they were for healing or restraint.Then suddenly I heard soft sobs which broke through my haze.I turned my head, and my eyes landed on Anna. She was hunched over in a chair across the room, her shoulders trembling. Her voice cracked as she muttered to herself, “I think I’ve made a mistake… I shouldn’t have let him go…”What was she talking about? And why was she crying?“Anna…” My voice came out hoarse, it was low and if she wasn’t sitting close by. I was sure she wouldn’t have heard it.Anna’s head jerked up after those words left my lips. Her eyes widened like she’d seen a ghost. “Rae?” she gasped. T
VonThe moment, I saw Landon move I halted my steps, trying to figure out where he was heading. He directed his horse towards the side of the river while he rested on one of the stones. He was facing me now, but because of the trees I was well hidden and I couldn’t be easily detected. I kept watching, waiting for the opportunity when he would finally turn his back. Eventually, he did, and just as I was about to launch myself at him, my horse let out a sharp, loud snort.Landon jerked his head up and during that moment his eyes found mine. I wondered if he had seen me, but the moment I saw him reach for his horse I got the answer to my question.Landon pulled his horse out of the river in one fast move, climbed onto the saddle, and kicked hard. The animal responded instantly, racing through the shallow water, splashing and tearing through the trees.“Landon!” I growled, then yanked my reins.I mounted quickly and dug my heels in. My horse moved forward, its hooves digging into the t
VonI stared at Anna with a coldness that could freeze fire. My eyes locked onto hers, searching for answers, for some kind of remorse, but all I saw was silence. Her lips stayed pressed together, and it was clear she wasn’t planning on explaining anything anytime soon.My anger ignited. It roared up from my chest like a beast unchained. I hit her against the cage once again.“You dare remain silent?” I growled through clenched teeth. “You set him free and you stand here with your mouth shut like it means nothing?”Her gaze flicked to mine, and finally, she spoke in a soft tone. “Even if I explain things to you… you’ll never understand.”I scoffed, tightening my grip. “Did he promise you something? Huh? Is that it? Did Landon feed you some sweet little story?”“No,” she snapped back. “He didn’t promise me anything.”I let out a humorless laugh. “Then why? What in the hell made you think this was a good idea?”She yanked her arm out of my grasp. “Because he said he wants to help this c
Von The night had arrived.I sat in my chambers, wide awake. My sword rested beside me on the table, a sharp glint catching the flicker of torchlight from the wall. I hadn't slept, not even for a second. My instincts told me tonight would be the night they'd try it—the traitors among my guards. Anna’s warning had been clear, and my men were ready. My loyal guards were stationed throughout the palace, hiding in shadows, crouched in corners, armed to the teeth.I paced slowly across the room, boots echoing faintly against the stone floor. Then—just as I paused—came the sound. A low grunt. Then another. It started outside my door. The fight had begun.I moved quickly into the shadows, pressing my back against the cold wall. I could hear the scuffle grow louder. Then came footsteps rushing toward my chamber. Someone was coming for me.I didn’t move.I waited.The door creaked open. I saw the silhouette step in, sword drawn. He didn’t see me. He thought I’d be asleep.He took three step
Von The room was quiet except for the steady ticking of the clock on the wall. I had taken my position at the edge of the bed, my hands resting on my knees, the weight of everything pulling at my chest. Anna stood by the door, her brows furrowed, her lips pressed in a tight line. “Are you going to speak or not ?” I asked, my voice hoarse from lack of rest.She stepped closer, looking over her shoulder like she was afraid someone might be listening. “I don’t know if you are ready to hear this.”I sighed. Nothing else would surprise me, for the past few weeks I had watched my life go for bad to worse to wise. I knew nothing she would say would make a difference in my life.“Just say it, Anna!” I tried to keep my voice neutral trying not to lose my cool.“They’re plotting to kill you, Your Majesty.” Anna finally said.My eyes narrowed. “What do you mean by that?”“I overheard the guards talking with a few locals,” she said, her voice low. “They’re working together. They want to overt
Von The deaths in the kingdom had not stopped. Every day brought another body, another cry for help. And in the middle of all that, the truth I had learned clung to me like a second skin. Rae—no, Rose—was my sister. That revelation shattered something in me. It was like a rope had snapped. The very bond that once tethered me to her had been sliced clean through.I no longer looked at Rae the same. Her smile, her voice, the warmth in her eyes—it all haunted me now. I dared not to think of our memories, the feeling of me thrusting into her, the sound of her calling out my name. It felt like a nightmare. I forced myself to think of something. It wasn’t easy and to make things worse I started having dreams. Horrible, violent dreams. In them, I killed her over and over. Sometimes with my hands. Sometimes with a blade. Sometimes I just watched her die, unable to stop it. Every time I closed my eyes, those dreams returned, more vivid and terrifying than the last. Sleep no longer gave m
Von “Shall we leave now, Your Majesty?” one of the guards asked. His words felt distance it was like I was in another world and I was disconnected from my body. I couldn’t bring myself to reply I just stood staring at world around which had suddenly lost its light.“Your majesty!” A voice called out and this time I realized that the voice belonged to Roy. He was moving closer to me. I could hear his steps but I couldn’t see him. I was lost in my mind.“Are you fine your majesty?” He asked. “Do you want us to attack?”I was sure he must have thought the seer did something horrible to me, little did he know that she had no hand to place in this. I was just shocked by the truth.“Your majesty!” His voice returned and I knew it I didn’t reply they are going to be hovering around her and they might end up going in to attack the seer.“I’m fine Roy!” I finally said. “Don’t attack.”He didn’t look fully convinced but he nodded.“Shall we leave?” He repeated and I nodded. We got into the
Von The night air was cool and still, as we set out on our journey to see the seer. The drive through the forest was smooth, quiet, almost too quiet. Trees blurred past us like silent watchers, and inside the car, my thoughts raced. I kept staring out the window, pretending to be calm, but my mind was anything but that. My stomach churned as I thought about the fact that I was closer to the truth.What if the seer tells me something I can’t handle? What if there’s no going back after tonight?For a second, I considered turning back. Doubt crept in, whispering its poison. But I clenched my fists and shook the thoughts away. This wasn’t the time for fear. I had made it this far. Rae—no, everything—depended on this.When we arrived at the seer’s place, the guards approached first. The hut was small, isolated deep within the woods, lit only by the dull glow of moonlight and a single flickering lantern hanging from a crooked pole.The lead guard stepped up and knocked twice on the wood