At Present
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Tanya’s POV
The man is unruffled as I scream my lungs out. He just gazes at me with those wicked, cold eyes that send chills down my spine, making me scream louder. Although it is only for a few seconds, it feels like I am screaming forever; yet the man doesn’t blink. He just keeps staring at me with those icy, cold eyes.
“Who are you?” I ask, confused and startled that I am naked, in bed, with a man that I clearly don’t know. I subconsciously touch my neck. Luckily, at least he didn’t mark me.
“I think I should be the one asking you who you are?” his voice is cold.
He drags his icy blue eyes all over me and when his gaze rests on my face, I shiver slightly as the room seems to get colder. His gaze is filled with raw, cold power that envelops me like an invisible cold fog.
“No, I should be,” I whine nervously. “You’re in my room. You’re naked and sleeping on my bed.” I wring my hands together, trying to hide the anxiety that threatens to overwhelm me.
I try to remember what happened and how I got there. The room is a mess. The man’s towel hangs on the window railing while Alina’s gown is crumpled at the foot of the bed. My pants and bra are on the opposite part of the room and the bed itself looks like it has survived a third world war.
“My name is Macro,” he hisses at me, as if he thinks what I just said is ridiculous. “Who are you?”
As he speaks, sharp, long fingers grow from his hands and he nonchalantly snaps his knuckles. His movements are slow, mesmerizing, and very dangerous.
“My name is Tanya,” I wheeze, gasping in fear as I stare at his terrifying hand. “This is my room. I was at the bar last night and I got drunk and came to sleep it off in my room.”
“You lie,” Marco suddenly snaps, startling me.
“I’m not,” I reply. “I’ll show you my keycard to prove to you that this is my room.”
He considers the thought for a few seconds before letting me go. I am awed and scared by his domineering ambience and scamper round the room trying to find the keycard that Alina gave me the previous day. He watches me closely, probably wondering what game I am playing. I breathe in relief when I finally find the keycard. It is crumpled and rough, and tossed in a corner of the room.
Excitedly, I fetch it from the floor and march triumphantly to the bed and stretch the keycard to him. His gaze shifts from my face to the keycard and I glance at his face. He is even more handsome as the morning sun casts a bright warm glow on his skin. I find myself staring at his body, wondering how such a handsome, hot man can have such a cold, expressionless gaze.
“Is this some trickery?” Marco asks, staring at the keycard as though it is the greatest joke he’s seen all his life.
“What do you mean?” I ask, startled by the deep timbre in his voice.
“This is room 410,” he announces. “And this keycard says 401.”
“What?” I gasp, unwilling to believe that he is saying the truth. There is no way I am the intruder, “Are you joking?”
“I don’t joke,” he says and tosses the keycard to me. If I were a wolf with powers, I’d have easily snapped the keycard out of the air; but I am me and I flail and stumble before I catch the keycard. I am extremely embarrassed as I subtly glance at him but he just keeps glaring at me without making any remark. I clear my throat and look at the keycard.
“4…0…1” I slowly read the number of the keycard. “This can’t be right,” I murmur, confused at the uncomfortable situation I am stuck in. “I…how…what…”
I walk towards the door but his cold voice stops me, “And where do you think you’re going?”
“To check the number on the door,” I reply solemnly while earnestly hoping that the door says 401.
“You’re naked, dummy,” he scoffs and I look down, remembering that I am naked. The ruckus of waking up beside a stranger has made me forget that I am stark naked. I dash to the bed, wrap the blanket around me and run to the door.
“Gosh!” I gasp, immediately hating myself. I walk back to the room, wishing that the floor will open and swallow me. I am the intruder.
“Now spill,” he says coldly that seems to say that he’s caught me red-handed and there is no point lying. “Who sent you? Eric? Lily? Joseph?”
I stutter, trying to explain myself out of a terribly awkward situation, pleading, “I don’t know those people,” I stutter as fear overwhelms me.
“I promise this isn’t a setup,” I say nervously. “I came here with my sister because it was my 18th birthday. I caught my boyfriend in bed with someone and I needed a drink. But after just one drink I started to feel dizzy and hot, so I came to my room to sleep it off. I must have wandered to the wrong room…”
I pause as my heart grows heavier in my chest. Memories of yesterday surface in my mind. Yesterday was the day I was supposed to have sex with Brandon for the first time. I wanted to wait until the day I turned 18. But I caught him with someone else. I never even saw her face.
“I wouldn’t use my virginity to seduce you,” I sob, meeting his eyes. “It is just a misunderstanding…” I say that last part in a whisper.
He reaches his hand up and toward my face, grabbing it with force. I flinch, closing my eyes, and trying to take in a steady breath to calm myself down. Suddenly, his grip on my face softens and his body stilled.
I open my eyes, and then I realize a single tear has escaped from my eye and is running down my cheek; it lands gently on his hand. He takes a step away, looking down at the teardrop on his hand.
Marco suddenly turns his back to me, “You should go,” his voice softens and his posture is very rigid. “Don’t forget the keycard.”
I am surprised by how much softer his tone is. I nod and hastily get dressed. I wobble outside, hoping to get to my real room and call Alina that I am in trouble. I am just a few steps away from Marco’s room when I hear familiar voices call my name.
“Tanya!!” Alina and Brandon chorus my name in unison.
“Alina? Brandon?”
“What are you doing here?” Alina asks in a cold, steel voice that scares me. She has never spoken to me like that before and I am baffled.
“What…” I stammer but she doesn’t allow me to speak.
“What are you doing in a hotel room?”
“Yeah, what are you doing?” Brandon fires at me in quick succession as though they had rehearsed before coming to the hotel.
“Did you have sex with another man?” Alina asks.
“She obviously did,” Brandon replies. “Look at how tired her eyes are and how messed up her hair is. How can you do this to me? To your boyfriend that loves you so very much?”
“How can you betray Brandon like this, my little sister? The most powerful wolf in the pack stoops so low to date you and this is all you do? Cheat on him? How could you?”
Alina is yelling so loud that she is attracting other guests in the hotel. From the corner of my eyes, I see a fat old man that I recognize step out of room 401, the room that is supposed to be mine. He’s always told me he likes me, but I can never see myself dating him. The moment I see him, it all makes perfect sense. All the clues that I have conveniently ignored, and pushed away from my thoughts, come swimming back into my memory.
“He loved you, protected you,” Alina is yelling, waving her hands wildly as she gesticulates how much Brandon loves me, and that is when I see it.
The same wristwatch that I saw in the hands that the girl Brandon was smashing, the same wristwatch that Alina has supposedly thrown away; that same wristwatch is sitting smugly on her wrists, and I know beyond doubt that Alina is behind it all. The way she urged me to drink so much alcohol the previous night and that foul liquid she practically forced down my throat; it is all her.
“It is you,” I murmur to myself, unable to believe it.
“How could you do that to me?” Brandon says, faking a sob.
“Do what?” I ask, baffled by their betrayal. I just cannot fathom what is going on. It seems as though my world is crashing down all over again. First it is Brandon, now Alina. I just cannot comprehend that my life can go horribly wrong in just one day. What did I do to attract such damned fate? I can’t help but cry as I reminisce on how damaged my life is. It is just too much to bear. Brandon and Alina’s betrayal crushes my spirit. To make it worse, I have just given my virginity to an absolute stranger; it is too much.
“See!” Alina yells excitedly at the small crowd that has gathered. “She’s crying because she’s lying and she’s being caught.”
I want to refute her claim, but all I can do is cry.
“She…” Brandon begins to speak but he is hushed into silence by a loud bang. Marco steps out of room 410, slamming the door as he exits it.
Tanya’s POVThe slammed door shakes terribly, making a loud sound that attracts everyone’s attention; hence everyone turns to face Marco as he exits room 401. Shocked, I realize that I have underestimated how tall and huge he is. He is at least a head taller than everyone in the hallway and his cold, icy eyes sweep through the crowd in one swift glance.“What’s the problem?” he says, leaning against the doorway to his room with a cup of whiskey in his hands. “You all won’t let us sleep.”“It’s this bitch,” Alina yells. “She cheated on her boyfriend.”“Is that so?” he glances at me as though he has never seen me before in his entire life. “And what makes you think so?” he calmly asks, his eyes still lock on my face.“What?” Alina asks, confused by the question.“You march in here,” he turns to face her, standing erect and dominating everyone with his incredible physique. “Yelling and screaming at the top of your lungs that this pretty girl just cheated on her boyfriend as though you ca
Alina’s POVNo matter how much I think about it, it doesn’t seem to make sense. The aphrodisiac I gave Tanya is the most potent one in the entire kingdom. It has taken me a considerable amount of money, energy and effort before I could lay my hands on it. The drug is so potent that even the most powerful werewolf will not be able to resist it.I close my eyes and try to remember every detail of that particular morning. I remember that Tanya looked disheveled. Her hair was rough as though she had been in bed all night, yet she hadn’t stepped into her room. I think I saw hickeys on her neck but I am not sure.“I wonder who that stupid idiot is,” I hiss. “If that stupid giant hadn’t appeared, my plan would have worked.”Though my plan to make Tanya’s break-up public and disgraceful has failed, that doesn’t mean I have given up. In fact, it is the exact opposite. I am more determined than ever. Angrily, I decide to go to Brandon’s place to come up with a solid plan. On my way out, I am to
Tanya’s POVThe sharp knock on the door rings again, accompanied by a greasy voice, “It’s Rick.”My heart sinks with that sound. My first reaction is to run away, but this is my home, and where can I escape? I huddle in the corner of the living room as if that would make Rick unable to see me.“Welcome Mr. Rick,” Alina greets the fat pervert with a very bright smile. “We’ve been expecting you.”“Well,” he cackles. “I’m here and I hope I’m not too late.”“No, Rick,” Richard says, his voice reeking of indifference as though he is bored and would rather be somewhere. “Come, let’s get this over with.”“Oh, there’s my bride,” Rick laughs. I know I shouldn’t cry, I shouldn’t show my cowardice in front of Rick, but when I muster up my courage to glare at Rick, my tears still fall from my eyes indefensibly. Rick seems to enjoy my tears very much.His face gleans with lust and he repeatedly smacks his lips as he looks me over.“Well, let’s get to business,” Maya announces.“Father!” I sob and
Marco’s POV“Is that everything?” I ask her as she dumps a light briefcase at my feet.“Yes,” she gasps. “I’ve only got a few things.”“Good,” I reply and shove the briefcase into the trunk, “Get in the car. We have quite a ride ahead of us.”“I’ve never been to the capital,” Tanya says. “What’s it like?”“You’ll see,” I reply.The drive goes on in absolute silence. Though I can sense that she wants to make small talk, she seems unsure of how to begin. Her shyness amuses me. I’m just about to break the silence when I receive a mind link from Oliver.“What do you want, Oliver?” I sigh.Oliver is my best friend. We’ve connected numerous times through mind link that it is so easy for either of us to establish a mind link between us regardless of distance.“Hey buddy,” Oliver laughs. “You missed the party.”“Oliver,” I reply. “I thought we already agreed to call first before we establish a mind link.”“I know,” he laughs. “But what’s the fun in that? Besides, I couldn’t find my phone. I w
Cathy’s POVA small crowd has gathered before the fitting room to see the results of the girl’s stupidity. I am mortified that the clerk has allowed that pauper to wear the most valuable clothes in the whole kingdom. I have tried that dress multiple times and it never seems to fit, no matter how hard I tried. After many trials, I gave it up. I don’t understand what gives that beggar the audacity to think that the dress will fit her when it won’t fit me, the Princess of the entire Wolf Kingdom.The curtain to the fitting room slowly pulls apart and I am ready to burst into deep laughter at the monstrous figure that will appear behind the curtain. The girl slowly steps out of the fitting room and faces everybody. Instead of the mocking laughter that I’ve anticipated from the small crowd, they are all shocked; indeed, so am I.The clothes fit the girl perfectly. She looks like a perfect Luna but even that is an understatement; she looks like a divine goddess. The clothes hug her feminine
Alina’s POVI am livid with anger when the guard finally comes to let us in after what seems like an eternity. I just cannot believe that he has totally ignored Brandon and me because of Tanya. My blood boils with so much anger that I am determined to make Tanya pay for the way she humiliates me. I am also angry at the guard and I barely pay attention when he hands me a device with which guests will bid with and explains to me how it works.The device is small and can fit smugly in one’s palm. It has a red, glowing button on top of it that alerts the Auction Master as to the exact person that is bidding for a particular item.“…the button indicates you’re willing to pay five thousand dollars more to the bidding price,” the guard deftly explains but I wave him away.“Let me carry that for you,” a very young girl dressed in a red gown approaches Brandon and me and collects my small purse. “And lead you to your seat.”She leads us to an empty row and we sit directly behind Tanya. Even fr
Tanya’s POVI am curious to see the owner of the voice and I peer towards the door. A very pretty young woman enters the hall, and she is not alone. Her arms are intertwined with an equally handsome man and they look like a very lovely couple. They both exude a majestic and noble aura and I am very certain that they are either Royalty or Nobility. My suspicion is confirmed when the crowd suddenly bow their head very low and part ways for the couple to pass through. They are flanked by bodyguards with a few maids and servants trailing behind them.“The First Prince, Eric and his fiancée, Lily,” a servant yells and almost immediately, everyone genuflects, everyone except Marco and I. I don’t understand what is going on and I am certain that Marco, as the Second Prince and the most powerful Lycan in the kingdom is not obligated to genuflect.“You can all rise,” Eric says in a rich, smooth, baritone voice that I am certain can charm lots of women. The whole crowd rises while Eric and Lily
Tanya’s POVI glance at the contract in my shaky hands unable to believe my eyes. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always dreamed of the day I’m going to get married. Unlike other girls who dream of the beautiful gown and beautiful necklace they will wear, I dream of the handsome man I will marry. I often daydream about how handsome my husband will be and how much I will love him; most importantly, he is going to love me back, just as fiercely as I love him.The paper in my hand has invalidated those dreams. This is no marriage based on love, it is based on interest. I cannot deny that Marco is royalty and is very handsome, but the fact that he doesn’t love me dampens my spirit. I remember my mom and how she died before I got a chance to know her. I remember Brandon and how he betrayed me. I remember how Marco saved me only to marry me out of a sense of responsibility. I love these people, but never get loved back in return. It is as though I am not destined for love.The door swi
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