A force I had never felt before, a primal pull, beckoned me to stay. My head screamed at me to seize the chance at freedom, but my heart yearned for him, for the monster who had become my captor, my savior, my...?And then, I did the unthinkable. With a surge of courage and desperation, I flung my arms around him, pulling him into a desperate, all-consuming embrace. My heart raced, and my soul screamed, as I held him tight, pouring every ounce of my being into the hug. I felt his body stiffen in surprise, his muscles tensing like stone as he was taken aback by the unexpected embrace. But I refused to let go, my arms wrapped around him like a vice, holding him close as if I'd never let him go again.His fists clenched at his sides as if he struggled to restrain himself from reciprocating the embrace. But then, like a balm to his soul, my name fell from my lips: "Aria…” I whispered “Aria Marie Ashwood is my name." The sound seemed to shatter his reserve, his body loosening, his ten
The palace was buzzing with activities as slaves scurried about, busily preparing for the grand evening ball. The crown prince's engagement to his betrothed, Princess Sophia, was to be celebrated in style, and no detail was being spared. The thought of these two evoked a feeling of unease.The sound of sweeping, polishing, and rustling of fine fabrics filled the air as the slaves worked tirelessly to transform the palace into a dazzling spectacle.As I gazed out at the slaves toiling away, their exhausted faces resonated deeply with me. I knew that same fatigue, that same desperation. If it hadn't been for Romain, I shuddered to think what my fate might be.My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. To my surprise, it was Lilly. Her eyes widened in astonishment as she took in the sight of me standing at the window."Aria! Oh my goodness, you're alive?" Lilly exclaimed, her eyes shining with tears as she rushed towards me.I opened my arms, and Lilly embraced me tightly, her
Aria’s Pov I felt a firm grip on my cheek, my head jerked to the side. Sophia, the gamma female and Henry's betrothed glared at me, her eyes blazing with anger. "You're a foolish little slave," she hissed. "You think you can catch Henry's eye? You're nothing but a mere plaything." I tried to pull away, but her grip only tightened. Her claws dug into my skin, and I winced in pain. "You'll learn your place, slave," she sneered, before shoving me against the wall. I struggled to catch my breath, my heart racing with fear. Sophia's eyes seemed to bore into my soul, and I knew I was in grave danger. I was dragged away by Sophia's maids, my wrists bound behind my back. They pulled me through the winding palace corridors, their grip unyielding. I stumbled, my feet struggling to keep pace with their hurried steps. We reached a small, dimly lit chamber deep in the palace. The maids thrust me forward, and I fell onto a cold, stone floor. Sophia stood before me, her eyes blazing w
Aria POV The silence was shattered by the screams of my fellow slave. I turned to see the palace gates, but no one emerged. The screams grew louder, and I realized they were coming from inside the palace. Lily's eyes met mine, filled with fear and dread. We knew what was happening. Romain's wolf had been unleashed, and the palace was trembling with its fury. "Please, don't let it be another slave," Lilly whispered, her voice trembling. “I knew what she meant. When Romain's wolf was unleashed, it was a sign of his anger and frustration. And to calm it down, disobedient slaves were sent to the wolf to mate with and are consumed, a gruesome appeasement to satiate the beast's fury." The screams grew louder, more desperate. I could tell whoever was inside Romain's lair was fighting for their life. "It's going to be another slave," I whispered, my heart heavy with dread. "Someone who proved to be stubborn." Lilly nodded, her eyes filled with tears. We knew the rules, knew th
As Sophia burst into the room, her face a maelstrom of unbridled rage, I felt my heart gallop like a wild stallion in my chest. Her eyes blazed with a fierce intensity that made my very soul tremble, her fury piercing through me like a thousand daggers. She stormed into the room, her gaze fixed on me with a ferocity that made my blood run cold as if she could see right through to my very essence. "What in the devil's name is happening here?!" she thundered, her voice echoing off the walls like a crack of thunder, making me jump in my skin. I tried to speak, to defend myself against the onslaught of her wrath, but my voice was frozen in my throat, trapped by the weight of Sophia's wrathful gaze. It was as if she had reached into my very soul and squeezed the air from my lungs, leaving me gasping and helpless. Henry reluctantly lifted himself off me, his face a mask of irritation, his eyes flashing with a desire to pounce on whoever had dared to interrupt his sinister plans.
Aria’s POV I lay exhausted on my bed, my body aching from a long day of cleaning the Queen's ginormous chamber. I had just drifted off to sleep when two palace guards burst into my room. I jolted upright, my heart racing, as they grabbed me by the arms and dragged me out of the bed. "What's going on?" I demanded, struggling against their grip. "What have I done?" "Silence, slave," one of the guards growled, his voice like a snarl. "You're coming with us." I kicked and squirmed, but they were too strong. They hauled me out of my room and down the corridor, their grip like a vice. I couldn't believe this was happening. What had I done to deserve such treatment? "Where are you taking me?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "You'll find out soon enough," the other guard sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. I shuddered at the sinister tone in his voice. What did they have planned for me? And why were they treating me like a criminal? Before I could ask any more que
I heard footsteps drawing nearer, the sound echoing off the cold stone walls. My heart raced with dread, wondering who could be coming to visit me in this forsaken place. The whisper in the darkness had given me a glimmer of hope, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty. As the footsteps stopped outside my cell, I held my breath, waiting for the door to creak open. The key turned in the lock, and the door groaned as it swung open. Three strong guards stood in the doorway, their faces stern and unyielding. "Time to come out, slave," one of them barked, their voice like a snarl. I winced as they dragged me out into the blinding sunlight. My eyes watered, but the horrifying growls I heard in the palace made my stomach turn. The savage loud growls sent chills down my spine, and I knew I was in for a brutal fate. It was Prince Romain again, his beast had been unleashed, waiting to be fed. "Where are you taking me?" I demanded, trying to sound brave despite my tr
Romain’s POV I struggle to contain the beast within me, Roma, my wolf. His fury rages like a tempest, threatening to consume me whole. I can feel its power coursing through my veins, fighting to be unleashed. But I dare not let him take control, for I know that if Roma takes over, I'll be lost forever. That's why I've commanded to be chained, to restrain me from unleashing the horror within. It's a constant battle, a war within myself. My wolf howls and snarls, demanding to be free, and the only thing that calms him is the taste of blood. It's a cruel irony, a royal but now I am a slave to my darkness. Before mother passed on, I was in control. I was the master of my destiny. But now, I am a shadow of my former self, trapped in a never-ending struggle to keep Roma at bay. As I stand here, chained and restrained, I can feel its fury building each day. It senses my weakness, my fear, and he feeds on it. My growls echo through the halls, a warning to all who dare app