Louis's POVTwenty minutes ago.The hurried footsteps disturbed my contemplation in the study, where I had been staring at a portrait of Liam.“Your Highness, we’ve captured a suspicious man in the castle’s corridor. We haven't ruled out the possibility of him being an assassin, so we need to escort you to a safe place immediately!”However, facing the panting guard, I stood up from the armchair, buttoned my suit jacket, and spoke calmly.“Have you identified the man yet? And where is Claire?!”“We have already dispatched a patrol team to protect Claire and Maria! As for the captured man… he insists he’s not an assassin, but we haven't confirmed his identity yet.”“Wait, did you just say, Maria?”I squinted at the guard, “She’s in the castle now? With Claire?”“Yes, Your Highness.”“When did this happen?”“About ten minutes ago.” The guard answered with his head down, “Your Highness, should we use the whip on the suspect? Give me a little more time, and I believe we can get him to tal
Louis’s POV“Prince Louis.”When Maria’s voice sounded from behind me, I instinctively frowned. However, as I turned around and saw her heavily made-up face filled with panic and fear, a strange sense of satisfaction welled up within me. Why was she afraid? Had she already learned about Andy’s capture?I quickly pondered the possibilities. Regardless of the reason, enjoying this woman’s discomfort always brought me pleasure. Too bad it wasn't time to reveal her true nature just yet.Suppressing my emotions, I motioned for Maria to walk down the stairs and sit in front of me. “Have a seat, Maria. Would you like something to drink? Tea or coffee?”As expected, my deliberate display of friendliness made Maria lower her guard temporarily. That familiar smile reappeared on her face, and her shrewd eyes studied my expression. “Tea with milk, no sugar.”The servant received the order and silently left the room. When she returned, a steaming cup of tea was placed in front of Maria.“So, Maria
Claire's POV“Andy?!”When I appeared at the doorway with Andy Barton, I saw the shock and fear on Maria’s face.“Weren’t you detained by Louis? How are you here?”“I’ve been in the next room all along, you b.itch! You’re so heartless and cruel!”Andy’s teeth gnashed in fury, looking like he wanted to tear Maria’s fake face apart.“You knew I did this for you! Yet you not only refused to plead with Prince Louis for me but also agreed to have me killed! Why? Maria? Why would you do this to me?!”At this moment, Andy’s furious roars carried a hint of sobbing. This poor man probably couldn’t understand yet that to someone like Maria, he was nothing more than a stepping stone.As I looked at Andy with pity, Maria turned her gaze toward him. She stared at Andy, taking several steps back as if he were a dangerous and filthy contaminant.“You’re insane, Andy! How could I ask you to do such a thing?! Evans has already made the letter public, so even if you stole it, it wouldn’t…”“Wait!”Loui
Claire's POV“Chris is here?!”Louis frowned and shot a sharp, dagger-like look at Maria. “Did you arrange this too?”“You needn’t think so poorly of me, Prince Louis.”Seeing a way out, Maria quickly shed her tearful demeanor, a hint of smugness replacing it.“I’m just a mother. When a child is separated from his mother, he will naturally want to find his mother. It’s inevitable.”While Maria’s expression revealed her satisfaction, Louis’s face darkened completely. The air grew thick with impending danger. Everyone present held their breath, fearing they might be the one to ignite Prince Louis’s wrath.“Prince Louis, please believe me, I really didn’t—”“Stop thinking you can always use Chris to escape punishment, Maria.”Louis lifted his chin, looking down at Maria with cold disdain. He delivered a nearly threatening warning, “You will pay for your crimes. Remember my words.”“Louis, I—”Before she could finish, Louis grabbed my hand and walked out, ignoring Maria entirely. As we pa
Claire's POVSurprisingly, after Andy’s attempt to steal the letter, Louis didn’t immediately interrogate Evans or even question Andy Barton, who was locked in the dungeon. It was as if the incident had never happened.The only difference was that Louis began visiting the lakeside cabin more frequently, spending longer periods there. Eventually, he would sit silently in the cabin for hours each day.Everyone was uneasy, thinking it was the calm before the storm. But I knew that this lonely man was simply mourning his father and brother.“Louis.”One day, I came to the lakeside cabin, interrupting Louis’s thoughts. “I brought you something to eat, my dear.”Louis looked up and nodded, granting me permission to enter his private space.“These past days, you’ve brought me food without asking any questions. Don’t you want to know how I plan to deal with Maria and Evans?”Hearing Louis’s voice, I was slightly surprised and looked up, meeting his scrutinizing gaze.“I haven’t asked because,
Claire's POVI don't even remember how Louis and I got back to the castle room. When the words "Bear a child for me" came from Louis's sensual lips, even the cold night air turned scorching hot.I looked into Louis’s dark blue eyes, and before I could react, he lifted me and tossed me onto the soft mattress.“Louis…”My soft call made Louis’s deep eyes flicker slightly. He stood at the foot of the bed, his gaze full of desire and lust as it roamed over my body.“Come to me, Louis.”I spread my arms toward Louis, casting a shy yet expectant look at him. This pleased the proud man.A wicked smile tugged at Louis’s lips, and then he raised his hand. Slowly unwrapping the tie from around his neck, he casually tossed it aside. The dark blue striped tie landed perfectly on the bedpost, making the scene even more intimate.“Let me help you.”As Louis's fingers moved to his shirt buttons, I sat up and moved closer to him.“Sure.”Louis responded in a husky tone, tilting his head and casting m
Maria's POV“So, Rick, I believe you’ve heard the recent rumors, haven’t you?”I smiled as I handed the man across from me a cup of hot tea, then glanced at his face. Sure enough, when I mentioned the rumors, I noticed a hint of anxiety on Rick’s stern face.“You said you had something about Alpha to discuss with me.”Rick looked at me, his gaze as hard as if he were examining a stone. Damn, is he blind?! I’m still wearing a nightgown! How can he not be interested in me?“Fine.”I rolled my eyes and got to the point.“You don’t need to keep searching for news about your Alpha. He’s detained by Prince Louis in the castle. You’re welcome.”“This news isn’t fresh anymore, Maria.”Rick was clearly unimpressed with my information. His eyes still stared at me, but there was no hint of desire in his dark pupils.“I need to know the exact reason Prince Louis is holding Evans.”“Are you ordering me?”I narrowed my eyes at the Beta before me.Yes, this man was indeed one of Evans’s most trusted
Louis's POVAfter my conversation with Claire, I set aside the authenticity of the letter and even forgot about Andy Barton rotting in the dungeon. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to hold someone accountable, but I knew that man was just a clown, a puppet controlled by Maria.Now, a more severe crisis lay before me.“Are you saying the Black Mountain pack is mobilizing everyone to wage war against the royal family?”I scanned the faces of the elders before me. They all wore identical white robes, their heads almost buried in their chests, looking like a row of somber candelabras.“That’s correct, Your Highness. According to our assessment, war is imminent.”The man in the middle answered my question, but he still didn’t have the courage to meet my gaze. “Centuries ago, the Black Mountain pack attempted to overthrow the Bouchan royal family through war. Their ambition is almost ingrained in their DNA. Even peace couldn’t change that. Now, with Garfield Evans detained, they see a perfect o
Maria's POV“What happened? What’s going on?!”The sudden explosion of cheers woke me from my drowsiness. I looked around in panic, and only after confirming that there was no danger did I finally relax. I grabbed Mandy, who was leaning on a broom and watching TV with great interest.“Mandy, what’s going on? Why is it suddenly so noisy outside?”“That’s not noise, Maria,” Mandy said, revealing an ugly smile with a mouth full of crooked teeth. “Alpha Louis just announced his heir!”Hearing the name that hadn’t appeared in my life for so long, it took me a few seconds to finally react. “Louis? Prince Louis?! He’s become the Alpha King now?!”“You really are a country bumpkin.” Mandy rolled her eyes dramatically at me and disdainfully pushed my arm away. “That happened last month. Haven’t you heard? Our Alpha even has an heir now.”“Heir?”The moment of confusion was quickly replaced by a surge of joy.Yes, the heir—it must be my Chris! My Chris has become the heir of the kingdom. That m
Louis's POV"Your Majesty, here is your speech."Kyle's voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I quickly turned off my phone, hiding Claire's refusal from the screen."Sure." I took the paper Kyle handed me and scanned it quickly, frowning. "Isn't this a bit too formal?"Kyle shrugged. "Well, Your Majesty, tonight is an official ceremony. After all, every werewolf will witness Claire becoming our Luna.""Alright."I nodded in agreement, folded the paper, and tucked it into my suit pocket. Then, I checked my watch. "How long until the wedding starts?""About twenty minutes. Perhaps you would like to wait outside? The media is ready."Glancing out at the castle lawn, I saw the sea of people and cameras aimed at the wedding venue. Surrounding the crowd were countless armed guards maintaining order.I withdrew my gaze and chuckled. "This might be the grandest ceremony of the year, don't you think?""Well, perhaps the grandest ceremony of the century."Kyle responded with a smile. "Shall we
Claire's POV"Are you sure this dress looks okay, Olivia?"I anxiously tugged at the wedding gown and stared nervously at my reflection in the mirror. Damn, my waist still looks a bit bulky."Am I the only one who thinks this dress makes me look fat?""Yes, my dear Luna."Olivia, who had already helped me change into the third wedding dress, rolled her eyes at me. "You look absolutely stunning, Claire. You're just experiencing a common condition called pre-wedding anxiety."As she spoke, Olivia lifted the large train of my dress to prevent Kitty from stepping on it."Don't believe me? Ask Kitty! Kitty, do you think Claire looks beautiful?"Caught off guard, Kitty turned around, holding a flower basket slung over her shoulder. It was empty of petals, but she already looked as cute as a doll.Oh, how I wished my first child would be a girl as adorable as her! I silently prayed to the Moon Goddess.But the sweet Kitty couldn't hear my thoughts. She tilted her head and carefully examined
Louis's POV"This will likely be our last meeting, Prince Louis."In a small tavern near the Southern Forest, Garfield Evans, clad in black and wearing a hood, sat across from me. The arrogance and ambition once evident in his demeanor were replaced with a bitter smile and an unhidden hatred towards his enemies."I suppose so," I replied, ignoring Garfield's raised glass and instead downing my drink in one gulp. "After all, the Southern Forest is a terrifying place. Even my brother met his end there.""Well, dying in the same place as Liam would be a kind of luck," Garfield responded with a resigned smile, but I could see the sincerity mixed with sorrow in his moist eyes."Don't forget, this time you'll face not only the horrors of the Southern Forest but also the secret organization hiding within it, which opposes the royal family. They are your real enemies.""I'll never forget that, Your Highness. Rest assured, I will avenge Liam before I breathe my last!"The rekindled murderous i
Claire's POV“So… you really plan to exile Evans?” I asked cautiously after listening to Louis recount the events in the dungeon the previous night. “What about the Black Mountain pack? They’re already stirring, trying to overthrow the royal family. Won’t this only fuel their ambitions?”“On the contrary. I plan to convene the Council of Elders and hold a public trial for Garfield Evans. Once his crimes are exposed to all the werewolves, everyone will understand why I imprisoned him. By then, the Black Mountain pack will have no justification for opposing the royal family.”Louis calmly analyzed the situation while peeling a grape and placing it in my mouth. I nodded thoughtfully, but then immediately spat it out, wrinkling my nose.Louis looked at me in concern, “What’s wrong?”“The grape tastes bad,” I said, my mouth puckering from the sourness.“Really?” Louis glanced at the grapes on the table and immediately summoned Alfred.“Your Highness.”“Claire says the grapes are bad.”“Bad
Garfield's POV“Say it again—what did you do to him?!” I tightened my grip on Maria’s throat, feeling an overwhelming urge to snap it right there and then.“Tell me, Maria, what else did you do to him?!!”“Let go of me! Garfield!”Maria's face had turned purple, her flailing legs now dancing on the edge of the abyss. Even this couldn’t quench the burning hatred I felt for this woman.Blood debts must be paid in blood!Anger surged within me. Just as I resolved to end her wretched life, a figure crashed into me. My injured leg gave out, and I fell into a puddle, releasing my hold on Maria."Seize them all!"Prince Louis’s commanding voice echoed in the dank, hollow dungeon. Within moments, torches illuminated the damp darkness. A squad of armed guards swarmed the small cell, capturing Maria, Rick, and me, dragging us before Louis.“Prince Louis, Evans... Evans tried to kill me!”Louis’s appearance was Maria’s salvation. She cried out, reaching for Louis’s robe, but he recoiled in disgu
Garfield's POV"Alpha!"Just as I was coaxing Kitty to finish her broccoli, a figure once again climbed through the window."Rick?" I narrowed my eyes at my beta, my tone growing stern. "I don't recall ordering you to enter the castle again.""I'm very sorry, Alpha."Rick's expression was serious under my rebuke. "I followed your instructions that night, intending to take Chris from Maria's villa. But I discovered something important that I felt I had to report to you immediately."I scrutinized Rick. Though he wasn’t particularly sharp, he had always been loyal. If he claimed to have made a significant discovery, then…I set down the bowl in my hand and said, "Go ahead. What did you find out?""Last night, Chris suddenly fell ill and was rushed to the hospital.""What?!" My voice involuntarily showed my anxiety. "How is he now? Is he alright?!""No. In fact, I overheard the doctor and Maria talking. The doctor said Chris's illness is congenital and very difficult to cure—unless Maria
Maria's POVThings were progressing smoothly.I walked quickly through the castle’s corridors, followed by three or four guards. They were accompanying me to retrieve Prince Liam’s portraits and belongings on Louis’s orders. However, these items were useless in saving my son’s life. The only person who could save Chris now was someone else entirely.“Ouch!” I exclaimed in pain, clutching my stomach and suddenly squatting down.“What happened?!”“I... my stomach hurts.” I faced the approaching guards, looking distressed and speaking weakly, “I’ve been too stressed about Chris’s illness, and my stomach problems have flared up again.”“What should we do?!” One of the guards scratched his head, looking worried. “Should I notify Prince Louis…”“No, there’s no time to waste!” I bit my lip, feigning great pain, and interrupted the guard’s suggestion. “The most important thing now is to get Prince Liam’s portraits and belongings! If Chris wakes up, he will surely want to see his father first…
Claire's POV“What? Chris is in the hospital?! What happened?!”“Calm down, my dear.”Louis gently pushed me back onto the couch, but his brows remained furrowed. He turned to the guard who brought the news and asked, “Could this be another one of Maria’s schemes? Is she trying to gain sympathy using Chris?”“No.” The guard lowered his head and relayed the information he received from the doctor about Chris’s condition.“Moreover, I inquired with the emergency team that responded that night. They all confirmed that Chris nearly suffocated to death.”The words “nearly suffocated” left Louis in silence, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of worry for the innocent boy. No matter what Maria had done, Chris was just a child. Besides, he was Liam’s only son.Thinking this, I turned to the guard and asked, “Which hospital is Chris in now?”“Saint Richard’s Hospital, but Chris is still unconscious. The doctors have recommended no visitors.”It seemed Chris was gravely ill this time. Both Lo