Eliza’s POV “Eliza, we have to go back to the palace.” my brother suddenly ushered me away to the waiting car before I could open my mouth and protest. "Eliza?” he said, his voice low and urgent. “Get in.” I frowned, looking up at him. "What's wrong? What's going on?"But he just shook his head. "Not here. Let's get in the car.”"Alex, please," I said, trying to keep my voice light. "Tell me what's going on. Is it Father? Is something wrong?"He finally turned to me, his eyes grave. "We'll talk about it when we return to the palace," he said.Bernard sat beside me, and we remained silent, but I felt so alone. What was going on that we had to go home so soon? The rest of the ride was torture. I could feel my anxiety growing with every passing minute. What could be wrong with Father? He was the most muscular man I knew.When we finally arrived at the palace, he helped me out of the car, and we entered the grand hall. The servants were all huddled together in a corner, whispering amon
Eliza’s POV Bernard raised an eyebrow. "Wow, Princess Eliza. You're damn special to have a second chance, mate," he crossed his arms over his chest. I scowled at him, thinking about how I had rejected four mates already. My father was unwell, so did I want the hassle of another mate? Alex placed a hand on my shoulder. "We'll support you, Eliza. We'll be here for you, no matter what." I nodded, feeling thankful to my brother. He was always there for me, even when I was stubborn and headstrong. "I think I need some time to think," I said, turning away from them. "I'll come back and talk to you both later." Bernard nodded. "Take all the time you need, princess." I walked back into my father's room, feeling anxious. Father's eyes were closed; I sat beside him, taking his hand in mine. "Father?" I whispered. "What do you think? Should I take a chance on Ryder?" He opened his eyes, a faint smile on his lips. "You deserve happiness, Eliza. If Ryder makes you happy, then ta
Rylan’s POV “What the hell is wrong with you, Daniella?” I demanded to know as she was shoved into an empty room. I couldn’t believe how stupid she was in front of Prince Alex and Eliza. She is lucky she wasn’t ripped apart, but as the new alpha, we could not let her off lightly. We had to show an excellent example to others. “I hate her. She doesn’t deserve anything. Why should she be a princess and in the royal family?” Daniella scowled and crossed her arms over her chest like a spoilt brat. “You know what, Daniella? I’m so glad that we never took you as our chosen mate. Your attitude stinks.” With that, I gestured for the guard to lock the door and ensure Daniella stayed there until it was decided otherwise. “Rylan, what will we do about this situation with Daniella?” Enzo asked me, and Rio stepped up before I could respond, let alone blink. “What do you think?” I said, rubbing my chin and focusing on my brothers. I could sense their concern when I looked at my brothe
Eliza’s POV Alex’s eyes widened in surprise. “Help him? How?” I felt a wave of encouragement in my brother’s interest. “Ryder’s friend, Dr. Adams, has a new experimental treatment that could—” “Experimental?” Alex interrupted, a frown settling on his face. “You know how dangerous those can be, Eliza. We can’t just jump into something without knowing the risks.” I met his gaze, trying to find the right words. “I know, but what if this could be the breakthrough we need? What if it could save him?” Alex shook his head, his brows knit in concern. “Have you spoken to Father about it? Does he even want to go through something so uncertain?” My heart sank. I hadn’t thought about that. “He hasn’t been awake long enough for us to discuss it,” I admitted. “But I know he wouldn’t want to leave us in a position where we had to watch him suffer.” “Is it worth the risk?” Alex asked, his words laced with scepticism. “Maybe,” I replied, a quiet determination settling in. “I’m willing to hear
Eliza’s POV Ryder said goodbye to me and I walked back into the pack house where I found Abbie arranging some flowers into vases. She looked really deep in thoughts and I admired how she always paid attention to detail. “What do you think he'll be like?” Abbie asked thoughtfully as she noticed me beside her. “Dr. Adams?” I wondered aloud. “I hope he’s as talented as Ryder said he is. I want to believe he can really help Father.” “You really like this Ryder don't you? I see the smile on your face when you hear his name. “ Abbie grinned at me knowingly. “But, I do hope that we will have good news?” Abbie stepped back, admiring her arrangement of flowers. “I’m trying not to get my hopes too high,” I admitted, grabbing a small bouquet of wildflowers I’d picked from the garden the previous day to use as a centrepiece. “But I can’t help it… I need something good to come from all of this.” Abbie looked at me. “We all want that for your father, Princess Eliza. He deserves a chance.
The next morning I was so nervous that I hardly slept that night. I threw the covers off of me and got a shower and then got dressed into black shorts and a white frilly top. I shoved my hair up in a pony tail and decided to go and help Abbie to prepare a breakfast for everyone. I needed to keep myself busy until my father was ready to show his face. I just hoped and prayed that Dr Adams had worked his magic well enough on my father. I couldn't bare to think of life now without my father. “Good morning, Princess Eliza!” my father called cheerfully as he walked into the kitchen. I gasped at the sight of him, I hadn't expected that this morning. Me and Abbie exchanged excited glances and she gestured for me to go to him. He looked healthier than ever, with a colour in his cheeks and a confident stride. He was already dressed in a crisp shirt and a tailored waistcoat, his hair neatly combed. “Good morning, Father!” I beamed at him. “I hope you’re ready for a feast. It is good to s
Rylan’s POV Daniella had been a thorn in my side for as long as I could remember. Watching her act recklessly in front of the prince and Eliza had been infuriating. She was lucky she wasn’t dragged out and punished severely. I know we had made a difficult decision; letting her stew in that empty room was a mercy compared to what she deserved. A message had to be sent, and as new alphas, my brothers and I had to uphold that standard, even if it meant getting our hands a little dirty in the process. As we walked back down the dimly lit corridor, I could hear the echo of my heartbeat reverberating in my ears, still pulsing with the fury of the confrontation. Enzo, Rio, and Ed were silent, likely wrestling with their thoughts about Daniella’s behaviour. “Do you think we handled it right?” I asked, breaking the oppressive quiet. My voice felt heavy with doubt. “I don’t know, brother,” Enzo replied. “It’s a messy situation. She’s reckless, and there’s always been something off
Eliza’s POV I couldn’t believe that I had accepted Ryder as my mate. He made me feel so happy and so special. I didn’t even give the quadruplets a second thought. How Ryder looked at me made me feel like floating on a cloud. Jasmine wouldn’t stop howling in my mind, and I knew she was happy, too. Things were finally looking up for me, and I couldn’t be happier then. Ryder had left to collect some things for me, and I walked excitedly back to the main lounge, lost in my thoughts. I wondered what my father and brother would say. Would they approve? “I hear congratulations are in order.” I turned around to see Theron in the doorway, grinning from ear to ear. I was surprised to see him and hadn’t heard him come in. “Thank you, but how did you know?” I exclaimed. The news did travel fast, that was for sure. “Oh, I saw Ryder, and he looked delighted.” Theron chuckled. “But what brings you here?” I frowned and gestured to him to take a seat. My brother walked in at that moment and look
Eliza’s POV As I spoke those words, a fire ignited within me—a fierce resolve I hadn’t known I possessed. The weight of my lineage pressed down like a mantle, but it no longer felt like a burden. I couldn’t afford to be weak, not when the stakes were so high. “What do I need to do?” I repeated, this time my voice unwavering. Rylan’s eyes narrowed with a mixture of pride and concern. “We’ll start with the basics. You have to learn to channel your emotions. Fear can be a powerful ally if you guide it, but it can equally ensnare you if you let it. You’ve felt what happens when you’re afraid, haven’t you?” I nodded, remembering the way I had felt Yelda’s presence gripping my heart like ice. “I can’t afford to feel like that again.” “Exactly,” Rylan said, his gaze unwavering. “You have to embrace every part of yourself—the light and the dark. Together, they will make you stronger.” Rio stepped forward, his expression shifting from anger to solidarity. “We can help you push t
Eliza’s POV The weight of their words pressed down on me, a heavy shroud of confusion and betrayal. “So Yelda really was just using me?” I managed to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper. Suddenly, a cold chill swept through the room, making the candles flicker as if a draft had burst in from an unseen passage. My heart raced, recalling how Yelda fed off my power. Who knew how long that had been going on? I clenched my fists, but not out of anger; it was profound fear — fear of my own abilities and who might exploit them again. “She was manipulating you, Princess Eliza,” Rylan said, his voice steady amidst the chaos of emotions swirling within me. “Crafting a façade that made you vulnerable. We recognized it just in time.” “What did you do?” I confronted them, rising from my seat, the chair scraping painfully against the floor. “Did you hurt her? Did you kill her?” “She’s not dead,” Rio interjected quickly, his brows knitted. “She’s sealed, but her spirit lingers—un
Eliza’s POV I woke up with a start and sat upright. Looking around me, I quickly realised I was back in my room. But how? The last thing I remembered was looking at Yelda and hearing my name called. My mates? How did I get back here? I couldn't remember, but my head hurt like hell. Raising a hand to rub my head, I glanced at myself in the mirror and frowned. I had to find Rylan and find out what had happened to me. Where was everyone? Suddenly, the door flew open, and there stood Bernard, the bodyguard my father had insisted I should have to keep me safe. “Where is everyone, and how am I back here?” I demanded to know from him; I strode towards him and pushed him hard against the wall, causing him to tumble and a look of shock on his face. “Princess Eliza. Wait a moment. You’re not thinking straight.” He stuttered as I rushed out of the room and ran down the hall to where I knew my father and brother would likely be. I stormed into the room and saw my father with Theron and Lar
Rylan’s POV With that command roaring from my lips, we sprang into action. I led the charge, muscles coiling as I surged forward, driven by an intense need to protect Eliza. My heart raced wildly, pounding a mantra of urgency as I darted from the shelter of the bushes towards the stranger and Eliza. "Eliza!" I shouted, my voice slicing through the tension like a knife. She turned, eyes wide in surprise, but a fleeting moment of shock fell across her features before the cloaked figure moved closer to her, positioning herself as a barrier. "Stay back!" the woman hissed, her voice like cold steel against my resolve. I skidded to a halt, heart pounding in my chest as I gauged the situation. Eliza hesitated, caught between fear and instinct. My brothers fanned out beside me, forming a protective barrier as we faced the two figures. "Rylan, we have to be careful," Enzo warned, his eyes scanning for any threats. “We don’t know what she’s capable of.” "I don’t care!" I shot
Rylan's POV "Hey, bro. Where is Eliza?"Rio appeared at my side, and I felt annoyed that he had interrupted me. I wanted to have a moment with Eliza alone. "She will be back in a minute." I hissed at my brother, who blinked in confusion. "But where did she go? You shouldn't have let her disappear; anything could happen." Rio continued to say. I rolled my eyes and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck. “Look here, I said she was fine and she will be back in a minute. What do you want her for anyway? You were dead set against her at first.” I grunted. "Back off, Rylan. Her father is asking for her and Bernard is coming to get her." Rio snarled, lashing out and scratching the side of my face. Enzo and Ed rushed over, pulling the two of us apart. "Boys, what are you doing?" our mother shouted as she and Theron strode towards us. Their disappointment made my anger boil even more. "I was just—" I started to explain, but the words caught in my throat when I saw the fury in her e
Eliza’s POV As the words hung in the air, a bittersweet weight settled in my chest. I cast a lingering glance at the familiar surroundings, memories flooding my mind—yet the thought of leaving it behind was surreal and painful. “Let’s go, then,” I said, straightening my posture as determination seeped into my bones. “But I need you to promise me something.” I fixed both Yelda and Dorian with a fierce look, channeling my anxiety into a fierce resolve. “Promise me you’ll do everything in your power to protect them while I’m away. I need to know they’re safe.” Yelda stepped forward, her expression earnest. “I swear on the ancient bonds of the coven that we will keep watch over your loved ones. They will not face any threat alone.” “And if anything happens—if they’re ever in danger—” I added, my voice trembling slightly, “promise me you’ll bring me back. I won’t let anything happen to them, not while I can still fight.” Dorian’s eyes shone with sincerity, his voice steady an
Eliza’s POV “Wait, who’s coming?” I pressed, my voice filled with urgency as Dorian stepped closer, his expression tense. Yelda looked to me, but something about her demeanor felt different—shrouded in gravity as if she carried burdens deeper than I ever knew. “Yelda, what is this?” I exclaimed, a wave of anxiety flooding my chest. The air felt thick with unspoken words, and I clung to the hope that they both recognized the chaos looming at our doorstep. “It's time for you to return to the coven, Eliza. It’s no longer safe here,” Yelda answered, her tone leaving no room for argument. “But what about my family? What about Rylan and my quadruplet mates? They need me here!” I protested, my heart racing as I thought of my family’s faces and the bonds we shared. “It’s not safe,” Yelda insisted, her gaze piercing into mine, an unyielding shield against my desperation. “I’m telling you this for your own good. Something dark is on the rise, and staying here only endangers you a
Eliza’s pov As Rylan pulled me closer, enveloping me in his warmth, the laughter of our friends faded into a blissful white noise. His fingers brushed against my arm, sending sparks of electricity racing through my veins. In that moment, all seemed right with the world, and I allowed myself to lean into his embrace. Just as I began to lose myself entirely in his touch, a light flickered in the corner of my eye. It was brief, almost imperceptible, but it pulled me toward the shadows at the periphery of the gathering. My instincts flared, and I instinctively turned away from Rylan, curiosity tugging at my heart. “Hold that thought,” I whispered, stepping back. Rylan's brow furrowed, a mixture of confusion and concern evident on his face, but I was already moving toward the gathering of trees that bordered the clearing. “I will be back, just give me a moment.” “Where are you going?” he called after me, but I didn’t stop to answer. My pulse raced as I navigated the dimming garde
Eliza’s POV I froze at Theron's words, the weight of his warning hanging in the air like an ominous cloud. His tone was calm, but the intent behind his words sent a shiver down my spine. "What do you mean?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. He took a step closer, lowering his voice further, as if the very walls could hear us. "I know you have faith in Yelda, and she has helped us—but we must remember what she is. Witches have their own agendas, and trust can be a fragile thing. We don’t know her story, her past. She could still be playing us." “The stakes are too high,” Theron continued, his eyes searching mine for understanding. “Morgan was dangerous, and if there are others like him out there, we can’t afford to let our guard down. What if Yelda isn’t as loyal as you think?” His words echoed in my mind, awakening doubts I had barely allowed myself to consider. Yelda had always seemed genuine, her wisdom guiding us when we needed it most. But what if Theron was right