Tanya’s POVOnce I’m fully recovered, I visit Lady Vivian’s home in the palace every few days to learn her craft. The days I get to work as her apprentice quickly become the highlight of my week. Her wing of the palace is not as grand as the ballroom or the main hall, but I can tell from the moment I step through the doorway that Lady Vivian’s home is filled with love. She has a delicate woman’s touch and carries herself with admirable grace and dignity. She looks young for her age, but there are a few tiny wrinkles around her eyes when she smiles that make her look friendly and enchanting. “Careful when diluting the oils, dear,” she says, watching as I pour the contents of a dropper into a larger bottle. “Remember that the concentration of the extract will affect the intensity and duration of the fragrance.”I follow her advice, carefully mixing the solutions. There’s something incredibly soothing about being around Vivian, and I can’t help but feel the need to make her proud.“Wel
Tanya’s POV“I just don’t know what to do,” I mutter in defeat. “I don’t know how he would want to celebrate exactly, but I want to make it perfect for him.” There’s a hesitant silence on the other side of the sheer curtain, and I stare at my hands, fiddling anxiously with my wedding ring as I proceed. Perhaps I’ve missed something? “My husband… He’s very special, and everyone knows it. But I see more to him than high society and status. He’s the child of a surrogate, and his biological mother died when he was very young, just like me. My relationship with my stepmother was always strained, and my father never allowed me to celebrate my birthday.” My father resented that I was born on a blessed harvest moon but didn’t manifest a wolf, so he considered my birthday a waste. Unlike me, Marco is very strong and powerful. I don’t think the king hurt Marco like my father hurt me. But there are many to damage a child. “I believe my husband has a complicated relationship with his own step
Tanya’s POVHe’s here. Goddess saves me, Marco is here, and I don’t know what I’m going to do. There’s no way I have enough time to take down all the ribbons, balloons, and ornaments that I’ve used to decorate the interior of the townhouse. There’s no time. The best I can hope to do is hide the birthday cake, so I pick up the tray where I’d set the cake and gift down and whirl around to try and stash it away. But it’s too late.I turn around and freeze at the sight of Marco hovering in the doorway. He stands there staring at me, his face unreadable as his eyes scan the gathered crowd. Nobody dares cheer or yell ‘surprise!’ Everyone just stands there in deathly silence, and I wish I could disappear. I’m so ashamed I could crumple into the ground. Marco takes a step towards me. Then another. Each step echoes in the quiet hall and feels like a blow to my heart until he’s standing right in front of me. I stare at the floor, feeling like an utter fool. He doesn’t say anything for a while
Tanya’s POVAfter an early dinner, Marco invites me to go on a drive with him. He takes me out of the capital, driving for miles until we reach a glen on the outskirts of the kingdom. He tells me that we’re in the Blue Moon Pack.It’s impressive to see how expansive the Kingdom of Mador truly is, and I’m reminded of how much power his family holds to rule over all of this, even the territories inhabited by other packs.“I want to show you something.”Marco parks the car, and we walk for a short while, reaching a beautiful clearing in the glen. At the heart of the small valley is an enormous tree with hundreds of little beautiful flowers. I’d never seen it before, but I immediately recognize where we are. Even I’ve heard the wondrous stories of the Blue Moon Tree. Legend says the ancient tree was blessed by the Moon Goddess herself many centuries ago, and those beautiful flowers around the tree must be the Blue Moon Flowers.People are gathered in the open space, some walking around pe
Tanya’s POVI am walking back home with excitement clearly written all over my face. I have a bright smile on my face while I cling the application form closely to my heart.When I consider how my life has drastically changed, I am very surprised. My life has gotten much better, and I have a number of people to be grateful for. One of those people is Lady Viviane, Lily’s mother.We’ve only known each other for a couple of months, and it feels as though we’ve known each other since forever. She is slowly becoming the mother I never had.I finished early with Lady Viviane, and I want to enjoy an evening stroll before I reach home.My stroll takes me by the main gate of the palace. The main gate is truly a majestic work of art. It is adorned with gold and shines brightly under the evening sun. The gate was also peaceful. I expect to feel the same peace as I walk by but a loud noise startles me. I look towards the gate and am surprised to see the guards forcefully toss a man out of the pa
Tanya’s POVI can’t bring myself to watch anymore.Each second I spend by the window feels like a shard of glass is constantly digging into my heart.I can’t bear it anymore.The moment Lily’s silhouette intersected with Marco’s I turn my head away in pain. I don’t have the courage to continue watching. How can I stand there watching my dearly beloved husband kiss another woman? I can’t. I hastily turn away from Lily’s office and run back the way I came. The pain in my heart is almost unbearable. I’ve never felt this much pain in my entire life, and it feels like I am breaking apart with each step I take.The tears that pool in my face make my vision blurry as I run back to my office. I clasp my mouth tightly with my hands as I try to fight back the tears. Although I don’t want to believe it, it doesn’t change what happened.Lily and Marco kissed.I am struggling not to cry but it is becoming increasingly difficult. I quickly scoop my bag from the table and dash out of the office. I d
Tanya’s POVDespite the chivalrous nature of Marco’s actions and the warmth that I felt from being caught in his arms, it didn’t change how unsettled I felt. For the rest of the night, I barely spoke to him. Retreating back to being the girl I once was. As quiet as a mouse, withdrawn and doubtful that I could trust anyone.Sure, Marco didn’t have to love me. It was only a marriage contract after all. But at least up until yesterday, I was made to believe he began to care about me. I was just... just a little bit sad.Although I haven’t gotten over my sadness from yesterday, I try to hide my emotions and not bring them to work. I walk into work with a robotic disposition and set up at my workstation silently.I don’t feel like talking but despite this, one of my co-workers walks up to me. “Tanya, Lily wants to see you,” I politely nod, but a sense of dread erupts in my system. Not again… the only person I could do without seeing today. With a sigh I start off towards her office, each s
Tanya’s POVThe chilly temperature is what wakes me, and I peel back my eyelids to the cold and impersonal small room that I’m in. The soreness of my body suggests I’ve been on the ground for a while, and I try to move my hands but they’re uncomfortably restricted as tight rope bounds my ankles and wrists. The slow rhythmic pulse of my heart now escalates in a race, I begin to panic, and I no longer can find the air in my lungs to breathe.I’ve been kidnapped.And I start to fear the worst.However, before my body goes into hyperventilation, I spot another body to my right. Cathy. And realizing it’s my husband’s sister calms me enough to crawl over to her. “Cathy. Cathy wake up!”I shake her with my tethered hands till I detect movement from her and can see that she’s beginning to stir. Her eyes blink frantically before she is conscious enough to speak. “Oh god, where are we?”“Cathy, do you remember seeing who captured you?”She shakes her head. “No, all I remember was being hit with
Tanya’s POVFor our honeymoon, Marco takes me somewhere far away. Far from the royal families and the kingdoms. Far from civilization. We delve far into the woods and into its depth is where he brings me to a beautiful clearing. And there lies a small and quaint log cabin, big enough for just the two of us.“It’s beautiful Marco,” I whisper in awe.Like little fairies, the bees and little bugs float and dance about the fields of lavender that surround us. The sun sparkles down and makes the grass glisten a vibrant green. And the log cabin sits quietly amidst the beautiful scenery.Marco brings me in and we drop our things in the room. I immediately go to kiss him, but Marco shakes his head with laughter. “What?’ I ask playfully.“Put on your bathing suit first.”“Oh?” I chuckle, but oblige, pick up my bikini and quickly change as does he, and the two of us head off again. H
Tanya’s POVI’ve been laced up in the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen. The heart shaped bodice is covered in magnificent rhinestones and crystals that glitter and shimmer as I move. The corset hugs my figure and is connected to massive angel sleeves that slip past my wrists. The bottom of the dress flares out around me in layers of a brilliant shade of emerald green. And the veil that’s placed over my head cascades down and out in a long train that’s fit for royalty.For a Queen.I can’t help eyeing myself in the mirror in disbelief. With my hair pulled into a tight bun, it’s only the little twirled whisps of my hair that are left to frame my face and green eyes that stare back at me in astonishment. To consider all the events leading up to this very moment, baffles me. Eighteen-year-old Tanya would never believe she is standing here today, about to be married to the King of the Mador Kingdom, to be
Queen’s POVI’ve been confined and restricted to my quarters for over a month now. No one has come to see me, nor have I asked to be seen. I remain in solitude accepting my fate, so long as my children are able to survive, I care little for my own existence. My children will carry on my legacy, they will live on.Despite my acceptance of it, this reality still haunts me. And I find myself turning to books as a method to overcome my sadness. At least Joseph allowed me that. He could have easily left me within four walls that are empty and barren. But he permitted my love for reading.I drown myself in the variety of genres I’ve collected over the years. Books about science, books on philosophy, bibliographies, and my favourite, fiction. But today is no day for reading, for as I sit beside my window, my hands are forced to put down the pages in my hand. My room faces the main gate, and I watch the guards fluster and run about like madmen
Dorian’s POVMist enters my eyes and the world suddenly swirls out of focus. I frantically blink trying to see, but the mist is heavy. Thick clouds darken my surroundings as snow falls like white bullets from the sky. My skinny arms and hands wrap themselves round my body. The tips of my ears sting from the frigid environment as my teeth chatter uncontrollably.I’ve been walking for days. But my legs struggle to push through the thick layer of snow that blankets the ground. And behind me I leave a pathetic trail that will soon be erased as more snow falls. I bet I will be erased, blown away from the terrible cry of the wind, or smothered by the ice, or worse, I’ll freeze, and wither away and melt into the snow.I drop to my knees.I try to stand, but my body is too weak. And the snow feels like a comfy mattress, offering me eternal sleep. But I have to keep going. My life has to mean more than just what my mother has made of me.
Marco’s POV‘Marco? Marco, are you there?’ I’m sitting with my war council when Eric’s voice suddenly infiltrates my mind. My brows wrinkle, and my forehead creases as I can’t decide how to respond.“I need time alone,” I say to my soldiers, and they all leave the tent we’ve been using to conduct tactics for the fight against the pack rogues. Eric is still calling out to me when I sit down.‘You right. You were right. I should have listened.’ This doesn’t sound like Eric, not at all. We considered each other rivals since children, we never played together, never trained together. We chose to be as far away from each other as possible. I saw Eric as the son of the Queen who replaced my mother, and Eric saw me as the person who threatened his right to the throne. I don’t even remember the last time we’ve spoken over the mind link. Or, we m
Marco’s POV“What do you mean she’s missing?” Eric has to yell over the rain, but his eyes are wide with disbelief.“She’s missing! Taken from her bed last night, there’s no evidence that she even left her room. And even if she did leave, she took none of her possessions, not her purse, nor her clothes, nothing! It just doesn’t make any sense.”I relay to Eric everything with regards to Cathy’s disappearance in detail. About how she was seen the night before but could not be found the next morning. That we checked all of Cathy’s usual places, and that I sent soldiers to every corner of the kingdom. And how even other kingdoms hadn’t seen her. “The only explanation is that you took her!”The rain pours and drenches us. But with my wolfish eyes I can see through the fog and dark mist, noticing how Eric is visibly shaken by the news about his sister. However, I notic
Tanya’s POVThe morning starts off in absolute chaos.Marco receives a call from the phone by our bedside, and the frantic voice over the line makes it difficult for me to make out the words. But I know it’s serious as Marco’s face immediately hardens. Knowing not to ask any questions just yet, I rush off to get ready, and he drives us to the palace. In car he explains that Cathy appears to be missing!I leave Claire in the care of Vivian as I go off to help in the search. The soldiers check the surrounding woods, while police officers roam the streets in their patrol cars. Neighbouring kingdoms are alerted to her disappearance and asked to keep a look out for her. I go with a couple of the maids that knew Cathy well, checking all the places she may have ended up, hopefully on her own accord. But we all can’t help but think the worst of this situation.Eventually, I, Marco and couple of other well-known and well-trusted ro
Tanya’s POVI don’t really remember how I woke up this morning. All I remember is that I was the little spoon, and as soon as Marco roused from his slumber, he decided to fulfill his role as the big spoon. I girlishly giggle trying to run away, saying that we need to get up to start the day.Course Marco cares little for my logical arguments. “I don’t like to use my royal title as an excuse. But in this case, I will. The world can wait on us for once. We’re royals.”I gasp in laughter. “Marco!”“Nu uh, I want you. And I will have you,” despite my flailing, I finally surrender to his lustful impulse. I allow him to press my body flush against his, spooning me again. And as he fiddles with his boxers, I find my desire rising down below, my wolf growing hormonally impatient despite my initial protest.Finally, I feel the head of his length press against my hole, and I suck in a breat
Tanya’s POVAs our lips finally part again to catch our breaths, I stare into the depths of his ocean eyes, finding myself roaming across the waves of his deep blues. He smiles. And I smile back, and we both can’t help breaking out into a chorus of laughter. My giggles and his playful chuckling weave into a glorious happy melody.“From now on,” Marco whispers. “I’m never letting anyone get in between us ever again. You’re the love of my life,” I find myself staring at him in awestruck, before propping myself up, leaving my lips inches from his as I whisper.“And I promise, to never let anyone stop me from loving you again,” but before, I allow him to lower himself towards me. One of my hands gently grabs his arms, pulling one side of his body towards me, whilst my other hand pushes against his chest. And he soon understands what I’m after.We tumble again into array of kisses, and