Marco’s POV
It warms my heart to see the relief in Claire’s eyes as she realizes it is me. She eagerly takes my hand as I take her away from her bullies and safeguard her from them. However, I can’t help but stiffen as the child for the third time this week encompasses me in a hug. Her dainty arms doing their best to wrap around my understandably larger body.
I always have a particular softness towards children. To adults, I have no desire to showcase any form of remorse or whittle down my brashness. But with children… there is something about their innocence that captures my attention.
My negative outlook on people’s intentions never befalls on children. Even with their temper tantrums, they have a level of purity with regards to the world around them. You could never blame them simply because they don’t understand enough about life. They are always good intentioned, or at least oblivious to the consequences of thei
Tanya’s POVThe midday autumn sun rests high in the sky, soothed by a breeze that remains calm and gentle towards all the outdoor stalls and laid out food for the family day event. It begins with various activities for all the families to participate in. Claire skips along in front of us, and I’m comforted by the high spirits that my daughter finds herself in. And I’m ever grateful to Marco for making that happen.He walks calmly beside me. And whilst I wouldn’t blame him for feeling out of place surrounded by all the parents and children. He blends in perfectly. Conversations with other parents seem like a breeze for him, as he plays the role of a wonderful dad, fully in love with his daughter. I can’t help but admire him quietly whilst he speaks or smiles at my daughter’s playful antics. If only this was real life…Nevertheless, I savor the moment and enjoy the day. We get up to loads of things. First, we sto
Tanya’s POVI race towards the two, my hands pressing firmly against Raphael’s chest, shoving him away from Mr. Barlow. Of course, my hand meets with the bully’s rippled chest, and I can barely push him. He chuckles at my feeble attempt, only stepping back with a malicious grin.Raphael isn’t as tall as Marco, but he is still a decent height for a male. And he didn’t get classed as a bully for no reason. Although muscular, there is no smooth elegance or refinement to his physic. Raphael is a rough piece of work, as if he has been carved with a blunt knife. Curated with jagged edges, a shaggy unkempt beard and buzz cut. He is like a rusty machete, worn, weathered, and ragged, but still dangerous enough to cut you and give you a nasty infection.“Stop! Stop this nonsense!” I yell, decently fearful, as I feel a close friendship with Mr. Barlow. Even with his annoying old man tendencies. I don’t want to see hi
Tanya’s POVThere is no time to waste on the hows and what-ifs. If I am going to get Mr. Barlow, his badge back and keep Marco’s arm attached to the rest of his body, then I couldn’t waste any more time worrying. I have to put my plan into action and just hope for the best.“Does anyone have a pen and paper?” I say with clear urgency in my voice.“I do!” Mr. Barlow shouts, handing them over to me without question. I quickly jot down a list of perfume-making equipment, ingredients, and raw materials that I know I’d need. With pen in hand, my fingers rush over the page in a scribbly mess as I’m aware of time. When I’m done, I turn to the one person who knows every item listed on the page, because he has been the one to set up my entire perfumery room… back when…Oh no…I stammer, frozen in confliction as I’m about to hand Marco the paper. I try to hide my
Tanya’s POVIt’s a known verified fact, that a mama bear will do anything for her cubs. And in that very moment, I’d never felt so much emotion in my life. Every instinctual motherly fiber within me is scorching with fierce intensity. My heart hammers against my chest as my weak senses heighten to their extremity and adrenalin kicks in.“Claire! Claire!” I scream, darting from one side of the pathway to the other, the crowd parting for me as I desperately look for my child.No one would ever understand how much my daughter meant to me. After I chose to leave Marco, I was nothing. Caspian found me washed up by lake on the brink of death, and even after he saved me, I was a hopeless empty shell of my former self.The loss of my love was so destructive to my brain and heart, every day after that felt like a chore. The weeks blurred as I aimlessly slept my worries away. And the only thing that kept me from ending it was
Tanya’s POVCaspian is quick in his greetings to Marco, with something clearly on his mind that he’s eager to spill.“So, Tanya, have you ever been to a banquet?” he probes with a toothy smile.“Um,” I have to stop myself from glancing in Marco’s direction upon recalling our night at the auction. With Marco’s memory loss, did the Autumn Equinox even count? “No,” my tone does not meet the energy of his anticipation, but Caspian doesn’t seem to notice it.“Well, my dear, you’re invited to the banquet at the Blue Moon Pack!” I feel bad for not appearing more excited, I do try to usher on a pleased smile, but today’s events have really worn me out.“The theme will be masquerade, and it will be taking place later this week! Almost everyone from the pack will be there,” he adds.Upon hearing this however, a discomfort settles in my stomac
Marco’s POVI generally detested banquets of this nature. It obviously didn’t help that I was a part of the royal family that used every God damn excuse to host events like this. My experience with royal banquets made me assume they were just all so fake.None of the noblemen liked each other anyways, whether due to politics, or rivalry for power. Their greasy hair slicked back against their balding scalps. Whilst their royal wives rotted with jealousy over this girl and the next, as they were caked to the heavens with an unnecessary amount of powder that was somehow overshadowed by their massive air balloon shaped dresses.However, I soon realize that my negative assumption of the Blue Moon Pack’s banquet is oddly wrong.As Tanya, Claire and I step into the main ballroom, the atmosphere feels light, and weightless. Despite the evening darkness that shimmers through the grand windows, the room emanates brightness. With sheer sky
Tanya’s POVI silently watch Caspian stride towards me, the smile on his face growing broader with each step. In midst of my confusion, I find Lisa has come up beside me, offering to take Claire home. Something in her gaze tells me that she knows what’s going on. But fails to articulate. Instead, I nod whilst still firmly confused, allowing her to take my daughter back to the house so she can get some sleep.When Caspian approaches, I can take a closer look at the flowers in his hands. Fresh red roses bunched together in a beautiful bouquet. But as the fireworks continue to sparkle and explode up in the sky, the mood of the atmosphere dawns on me.“Tanya…” says Caspian, a sweetness encompassing his tone.“Ever since the day you won the perfume competition, and protected the Blue Moon Tree from a terrible fate. From that moment on, I fell deeply in love with you,” he says as his eyes shimmer with a strang
Tanya’s POVI’m deeply worried and fueled by panic for my little girl. After considerable effort trying to wake her, she still doesn’t show any signs of consciousness. Knowing the person I could count on I rush to Marco’s door. I bet his lycan senses could smell my severe fear, because before I can even make my way up the steps, he swings his door open with a fierce gaze. “What’s wrong?”“It’s Claire. She won’t wake up. I- I don’t know what’s wrong,” I don’t have to say much more, as we rush back to my place. Marco understandably checks for her pulse, and when he confirms she’s still breathing he looks acutely puzzled.“Let’s just get her to the hospital,” I nod in response to his words, and I watch silently horrified as he gently lifts Claire’s limp and unresponsive body into his arms.But when he turns to me, his focused gaze forces
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