Tanya’s POV
Later that day, I get a call from the palace. One of the messengers says the King would like to meet with me. Although I’m a little unnerved by the proposal, I still say I’ll be there soon, and hang up and get dressed.
Marco drops me off, and I walk nervously into the palace, and into one of the rooms where the King is waiting for me. “Your highness,” I curtsey before the King. He sits comfortably in one of the chairs, a glass of whiskey in hand.
“Welcome Tanya, please have a seat.”
I sit down on the chair opposite him, placing my hands on my laps to stop their nervous twitching whilst under the placid gaze of the King. “The reason I’ve asked you to come, is because I have an offer that I’d like you to consider.”
I can’t get a read on his expression, nor think of anything that would warrant the King to be upset with me. “An offer Sir?”
He
Tanya’s POVWhat I learn from my family and old pack members is that the Lycan King has started imposing harsh sanctions on my pack. Using methods such as increasing taxes, restricting imports and exports, all to displace the economy and profits my pack earns to maintain a comfortable living for its residents.They have all come to the capital to find me after the King set an ultimatum. That if I’m to divorce Marco, then he’d undo all the restrictions and sanctions. Despite their cries, I find it all so difficult to process. My fingers wriggle nervously with the hem of my shirt in considerable discomfort.I was a nobody before I married Marco, declared an abomination and a worthless lost caused that no one cared for. My father didn’t see me as his daughter, and my stepsister pretended to care despite her betrayal by sleeping with my boyfriend.“Please Tanya, the King’s sanctions have left us in a deficit. In mo
Tanya’s POVI sit in one of the rooms, as I bury my head in my hands, my mind is filled with turmoil. How could this be? Why did things have to be so good, before being snatched away from me?Before I can sink further into a hole of my own misery, I hear the click clack of heels as someone walks into the room. Instantly I realize it’s the last person I am interested in seeing. My eyes slowly lift up to cast upon Lily.There’s no longer a requirement for formalities between the two of us. We know where we both stand. And most important of all, she’s won. Lily’s won.Hence, I’m not surprised as she gets straight to the point of the matter. “I’ve checked the ancient books. And I now know of a way to cure Marco of his curse and save his life,” part of me is relieved that Marco can be saved, but knowing what it’s going to cost me is detrimental to my sanity.Lily continues to
Tanya’s POVThe car Lily has arranged to take me away feels like a portal. It is like I have been living in my own made-up fantasy land. Where I have been someone important, a princess, married to a prince. I have lost myself in this dream, that felt so real. And now…. I am being forced to return to the real world, to a place where I am nothing and no one.The car hasn’t made it far till my eyes are forced to flicker up to look into the rear-view mirror. I see the familiar figure of Marco, and he’s running, chasing after me with all his heart. I think that he’d eventually give up and let me go, but he doesn’t. He just keeps running, and I can’t bear it anymore.“Stop. Stop the car.” The car screeches to a halt.“Just give me a minute to sort this. I’ll be back.” The driver simply nods his head before I exit the vehicle. As I walk towards Marco, I mentally prepare myself for
Tanya’s POVI can’t help the scream that escapes me, immediately I veer away from the outstretched claw. My hands fumble and slam against the car door, before finally slipping hold of the handle. I roughly tumble out of the car, pushing myself desperately to my feet and breaking into a sprint for my life.The rain rushes down in thunderous rage as I run blindly, screaming out for help. But no one hears me, not with the wind’s terrible screams, and not when the earth ruptures with ground shaking thunder.With no wolf form, with no wolf speed, and with the fetus barely protected by my weak body, I fail to maintain much distance. I look back to see white glowing eyes in the dark, and a large menacing shadow resembling the form of a massive wolf can be seen through the slits of downpour.No…. I look ahead pushing to run faster, but I can hear his ominous paws galloping after me, each contact they make with th
Caspian’s POVDylan and I move like shadows through the forestry in our wolf forms. Dylan’s wolf is a mocha brown, whilst the fur on my paws showcases a lighter, ivory hue. We follow our normal routine route that has been allocated for centuries for patrol units. The path we take is a thin line that penetrates through the grass, weighed down into a muddy consistency by the numerous paw prints that litter it day in and day out.Despite being Alpha, I’m not beyond the usual tasks that are given to my wolves. Moreover, I find a sense of ease whilst conducting patrols. We belong to the forest. We were born here, and we shall die here, and I find no greater comfort than being in my wolf form, surrounded by it all. My eyes are accustomed to the vibrancy of the greenery, nose inhaling soft scents of the florals, leading the way with ease.That is until I hear a loud splash sounding from the west that halts my movements, ears swiveling to pinp
Tanya’s POVI’m taken to the hospital by customers who are more than happy to drive me there, and I’m thankful for their generosity. The pain is immense, and I find myself cradling my tummy to cope with the on sudden rush. Every unexpected jolt of the car strikes pain through my body, and I desperately try not to cry.Finally, we make it. The customers help keep me on my feet as we make our way in. My clear baby bump makes it evident to the staff of my situation. I’m placed on the gurney and rolled into one of the rooms before they move me onto a bed. Despite its softness, it doesn’t ease the awful cramps that start escalating in pressure.The hospital staff all look like worker bees, rushing to and from the room to prepare for the birth. One carries towels, another soft blankets. One adjusts the position of my bed so my back is slightly raised, whilst another attaches me to fluids, injecting the top of my wrist with a need
Tanya’s POVThe afternoon sun casts its waning rays of light through my shop window, declaring it the typical time for Mr. Barlow to waltz into my store in clear dire need of some company. And in my store, he is. Despite his elderly appearance and stumpy stature, one could tell he was quite the looker when he’d been in his prime.He has a smooth bald head, and broad shoulders, although his age means the loss in some strength, it’s apparent he has once been very muscular. If it is not for his terrible drinking habits, maybe he’d still look the same, and smell less of age-old whiskey which tends to put people off. If not for that, Mr. Barlow would’ve had more people to talk to other than just me.For he is rather charming, in a childish, temperamental, playful sort of way, always cracking a joke or two, before going off on long rambles about stories he deems ever so interesting. Course I never mind, I enjoy the company, and a
Tanya’s POVSome part of me is hoping for a different reaction from my past love, maybe some form of acknowledgment that would change everything. But hope is often a feeble thing, that can be harshly shattered by the realities of life. This cruel reality crushes my expectations and longing, as Marco completely blanks me. His glares daggers into my heart as he turns away and moves into the next door house.Not wanting my daughter to see my misplaced feelings, I take Claire’s hand and head into our home. I prep dinner, and we eat whilst she tells me all about her day. I always love listening to her stories of what she got up to. And despite the lingering desire to speak to the man next door, I remain enthusiastic and present in our conversations.Later however, as I’m washing the dishes, I hear a loud sound coming from Marco’s house. Recalling Lisa’s request, my eyes widen with realization. With Claire, we rush out the door a