Clara’s pov
After hours of the grand royal tour with Kai, the prince hybrid and unofficial palace GPS—I was this close to asking if the palace came with a personal scooter. My feet were throbbing like they had beef with me. These marble floors weren’t made for regular folks. Nope. They were meant for floating royals who probably never had to walk a day in their life.Just as I was about to throw myself dramatically onto one of the hallway benches like a Shakespearean heroine, a soft knock interrupted my thoughts.A maid stepped forward, bowing her head slightly. “My lady Clara, your room has been prepared.”I blinked at her with a smirk. “Finally. I thought I was going to die in the hallway and haunt this place as a tired ghost.”Kai chuckled beside me. “Don’t mind her. She’s always this dramatic.”“Excuse you, little hybrid. I am theatrically expressive,” I replied, tossing my hair like the queen I was clearly born to be.He rolled his eyes, smilingAmelia’s povMy knees buckled the moment Klaus stormed out of the room. I didn’t even make it to the bed—I collapsed right there on the cold marble floor, my heart pounding like a war drum in my chest.I could still feel his fury lingering in the air, thick like smoke after a fire. The way his eyes bore into me, the venom in his voice. it left an invisible bruise that wrapped around my chest and made it hard to breathe.Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them back. No. He doesn’t get my tears. Not tonight.I wrapped my arms around myself, rocking slightly, as if trying to gather the shattered pieces of myself back together. The silence felt loud after the storm he brought, and all I wanted was to disappear, just vanish into the walls of this cursed palace and never be found again.But then…Knock. Knock.I froze.My entire body tensed. Was he back?I stared at the door, eyes wide, breath shallow.“Lady Amelia?” a soft, female voice called from the other side. “Dinner
Clara’s POVI was halfway through my second glass of wine when I noticed Klaus hadn’t taken his eyes off Amelia once. Not even to blink. The way he stared at her made me want to lunge across the table and shove a steak knife in his eye. But, classy girl that I am, I chose a different weapon—my mouth.“Do you always stare at people like that, or is it just your creepy little hobby?” I asked, casually slicing into my chicken.Klaus’s gaze snapped to me.Kai nearly spit out his drink. Amelia froze with her fork halfway to her lips.“I beg your pardon?” Klaus said, his voice low and dangerous.“Oh, no need to beg, sweetheart,” I said with a smile. “You’re already quite pitiful as it is.”Kai choked on a laugh, then coughed to cover it up. Amelia widened her eyes at me like I was walking into a death sentence.Klaus leaned back in his chair, expression darkening. “You’ve got quite a mouth on you.”“You should hear what it says when I’m actually pissed off,” I replied sweetly.The air in th
Author’s pov A sudden commotion echoed from the palace courtyard. a loud noise of car tires screeching and urgent voices stirred the calm evening air. The sharp sound of doors slamming shut followed, pulling the attention of everyone inside.Maids paused mid-step. Guards straightened. Klaus, Kai, Clara, and Amelia stepped outside in curiosity, only to witness a sleek black car parked boldly at the palace entrance.The back door of the car swung open, and out stepped a woman in towering heels, draped in an elegant emerald green coat. Her dark hair was pinned up in flawless curls, her sunglasses slid down her nose as she surveyed the place with commanding grace.Behind her, a tall, broad-shouldered man with streaks of silver in his dark hair stepped out, Ethan, her husband. And following them, a lanky teenager with messy hair and a defiant expression hopped down from the car and slammed the door shut.It was Elena.Klaus and Kai’s older sister.The firstborn of the Mikaelson bloodline.
Elena’s POVComing back home felt… grounding.The palace hadn’t changed much, still as grand, still humming with old magic and endless drama. Dinner had been surprisingly fun, especially watching Clara verbally knock Klaus off his high-and-mighty pedestal. I swear, that girl had a sharper tongue than a dagger laced with wolfsbane.After hours of laughter, teasing, and a few awkward glares from Klaus, everyone eventually began to disperse, retreating to their rooms for the night.A maid had already prepared my old room for me and Ethan, she even dusted the corners I used to hide in as a kid. Sweet. Another room had been made ready for Liam, just across the hall, complete with his favorite dark blue bedspread and a mini fridge. The perks of being a spoiled first nephew.I sighed as I stepped into the room with Ethan, finally peeling off my heels like they were the shackles of royalty. My entire body was screaming for rest, exhaustion creeping in from the long journey.Ethan was already
Amelia’s POVMorning sunlight poured through the windows, casting a soft glow across my room. I stretched lazily, feeling the ache of the past few days in my bones. Moving to the window, I parted the curtains and let the light kiss my skin.Then I turned around—and froze.He was there.The King.Standing inside my room, arms crossed, eyes dark with something unreadable. My breath caught as his gaze trailed downward—stopping right at the outline of my body.That’s when I realized.The nightgown I wore clung to me like water. Every curve, every shadow—visible. And my nipples… betrayed me, pressing against the thin fabric.I stumbled for the robe draped over the chair and threw it around myself, heart thundering. “Y-Your Majesty,” I said, tightening the belt. “ W-What are you doing here?”He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he took a step closer, eyes never leaving mine.“Little wolf,” he said, voice low and dangerous, “are you really trying to hide what already belongs to me?”I backe
Amelia’s POV His breath was hot against my neck, his lips trailing a path that made my knees weak. My hands trembled as I clutched the robe tighter, but it was useless—he had already slipped it off, and now I stood there, vulnerable, trembling, and unable to form a single coherent thought. “You walk around dressed like that, moaning my name in your sleep,” he whispered, dragging his fingers slowly across my inner thigh. “Do you think I wouldn’t notice?” “I didn’t mean to—” I breathed, eyes fluttering shut as my body betrayed every logical thought in my head. His mouth found the hollow of my throat, kissing, tasting, claiming. “You belong to me, little wolf. I don’t care what anyone says… not even your husband.” My heart pounded in my chest, shame and desire clashing like fire and ice inside me. “I hate that I want you,” I whispered, barely able to speak. He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes. His were wild, stormy with desire. “Then hate me all you want,” he sai
Alex’s POVSeeing Ethan today… it did something to me. Something I thought I had buried long ago.He hadn’t changed much—still tall, broad-shouldered, effortlessly handsome with those piercing eyes that always seemed to see right through me. One polite smile, one quiet “good morning” from him, and it was like my heart forgot how to beat properly.I had always been in love with him.God, I tried not to be. I fought it with every fiber of my being. But feelings don’t listen to reason—especially not when they’ve taken root so deep, they’ve become part of who you are.But Ethan was straight. Is straight. His marriage to Elena, my best friend, was the nail in the coffin—if there was ever a coffin big enough to hold a heart this conflicted.Yes, I’m gay.And no one knows.Not Elena, even though she’s the closest person to me in the world. Not my father, the Beta of our pack, whose pride and legacy I was expected to uphold. Not anyone. I’ve worn this secret like armor for so long, it started
Alex’s POVStep by step, I crossed the space between us, each footstep powered by something I couldn’t control anymore.And then without thinking I kissed him.Hard. Aggressive. Desperate.He pushed me off immediately, his eyes wide in shock.“What the fuck is wrong w—”I didn’t let him finish. I grabbed him again, crashing my lips into his, tighter this time, refusing to let go.As if my life depended on it.Just when I thought he would shove me off again—he didn’t.He kissed me back.Fiercely.Hungrily.As if something inside him had snapped and there was no turning back.His hands gripped my waist, dragging me closer, mouths colliding like we were starved for each other. His kiss wasn’t gentle—it was bruising, possessive… desperate. Like he had been fighting this too, like he hated how much he needed it but couldn’t help himself anymore.Our bodies were slick from the shower, wet skin sliding against wet skin. He spun me, slamming my back gently against the tiled wall, pressing his
Ethan’s POVI couldn’t breathe.What the hell had just happened? My mind was racing as I stormed out of the shower, grabbing a towel to wrap around my waist. My hands shook, not from the cold water still trickling down my skin, but from the sudden rush of confusion and regret.Alex had kissed me. Kissed me. The force of it still lingered on my lips, and every inch of my body felt on fire, a blaze I couldn’t ignore. But I had to. I had to push him away.I couldn’t let this happen. Not like this. Not when I was married to Elena, his best friend friend. I loved her. I loved her with every ounce of my being. But what had just transpired…?I ran my hand through my wet hair, pacing the length of the room. My heart was still pounding, my chest constricted with guilt.Alex.He is my wife’s best friend, and now—what? Had I crossed a line I couldn’t take back? The way he’d kissed me, the way his body had reacted to mine, it all felt too real, too intense.But I was married to Elena. I loved her
Alex’s POVStep by step, I crossed the space between us, each footstep powered by something I couldn’t control anymore.And then without thinking I kissed him.Hard. Aggressive. Desperate.He pushed me off immediately, his eyes wide in shock.“What the fuck is wrong w—”I didn’t let him finish. I grabbed him again, crashing my lips into his, tighter this time, refusing to let go.As if my life depended on it.Just when I thought he would shove me off again—he didn’t.He kissed me back.Fiercely.Hungrily.As if something inside him had snapped and there was no turning back.His hands gripped my waist, dragging me closer, mouths colliding like we were starved for each other. His kiss wasn’t gentle—it was bruising, possessive… desperate. Like he had been fighting this too, like he hated how much he needed it but couldn’t help himself anymore.Our bodies were slick from the shower, wet skin sliding against wet skin. He spun me, slamming my back gently against the tiled wall, pressing his
Alex’s POVSeeing Ethan today… it did something to me. Something I thought I had buried long ago.He hadn’t changed much—still tall, broad-shouldered, effortlessly handsome with those piercing eyes that always seemed to see right through me. One polite smile, one quiet “good morning” from him, and it was like my heart forgot how to beat properly.I had always been in love with him.God, I tried not to be. I fought it with every fiber of my being. But feelings don’t listen to reason—especially not when they’ve taken root so deep, they’ve become part of who you are.But Ethan was straight. Is straight. His marriage to Elena, my best friend, was the nail in the coffin—if there was ever a coffin big enough to hold a heart this conflicted.Yes, I’m gay.And no one knows.Not Elena, even though she’s the closest person to me in the world. Not my father, the Beta of our pack, whose pride and legacy I was expected to uphold. Not anyone. I’ve worn this secret like armor for so long, it started
Amelia’s POV His breath was hot against my neck, his lips trailing a path that made my knees weak. My hands trembled as I clutched the robe tighter, but it was useless—he had already slipped it off, and now I stood there, vulnerable, trembling, and unable to form a single coherent thought. “You walk around dressed like that, moaning my name in your sleep,” he whispered, dragging his fingers slowly across my inner thigh. “Do you think I wouldn’t notice?” “I didn’t mean to—” I breathed, eyes fluttering shut as my body betrayed every logical thought in my head. His mouth found the hollow of my throat, kissing, tasting, claiming. “You belong to me, little wolf. I don’t care what anyone says… not even your husband.” My heart pounded in my chest, shame and desire clashing like fire and ice inside me. “I hate that I want you,” I whispered, barely able to speak. He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes. His were wild, stormy with desire. “Then hate me all you want,” he sai
Amelia’s POVMorning sunlight poured through the windows, casting a soft glow across my room. I stretched lazily, feeling the ache of the past few days in my bones. Moving to the window, I parted the curtains and let the light kiss my skin.Then I turned around—and froze.He was there.The King.Standing inside my room, arms crossed, eyes dark with something unreadable. My breath caught as his gaze trailed downward—stopping right at the outline of my body.That’s when I realized.The nightgown I wore clung to me like water. Every curve, every shadow—visible. And my nipples… betrayed me, pressing against the thin fabric.I stumbled for the robe draped over the chair and threw it around myself, heart thundering. “Y-Your Majesty,” I said, tightening the belt. “ W-What are you doing here?”He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he took a step closer, eyes never leaving mine.“Little wolf,” he said, voice low and dangerous, “are you really trying to hide what already belongs to me?”I backe
Elena’s POVComing back home felt… grounding.The palace hadn’t changed much, still as grand, still humming with old magic and endless drama. Dinner had been surprisingly fun, especially watching Clara verbally knock Klaus off his high-and-mighty pedestal. I swear, that girl had a sharper tongue than a dagger laced with wolfsbane.After hours of laughter, teasing, and a few awkward glares from Klaus, everyone eventually began to disperse, retreating to their rooms for the night.A maid had already prepared my old room for me and Ethan, she even dusted the corners I used to hide in as a kid. Sweet. Another room had been made ready for Liam, just across the hall, complete with his favorite dark blue bedspread and a mini fridge. The perks of being a spoiled first nephew.I sighed as I stepped into the room with Ethan, finally peeling off my heels like they were the shackles of royalty. My entire body was screaming for rest, exhaustion creeping in from the long journey.Ethan was already
Author’s pov A sudden commotion echoed from the palace courtyard. a loud noise of car tires screeching and urgent voices stirred the calm evening air. The sharp sound of doors slamming shut followed, pulling the attention of everyone inside.Maids paused mid-step. Guards straightened. Klaus, Kai, Clara, and Amelia stepped outside in curiosity, only to witness a sleek black car parked boldly at the palace entrance.The back door of the car swung open, and out stepped a woman in towering heels, draped in an elegant emerald green coat. Her dark hair was pinned up in flawless curls, her sunglasses slid down her nose as she surveyed the place with commanding grace.Behind her, a tall, broad-shouldered man with streaks of silver in his dark hair stepped out, Ethan, her husband. And following them, a lanky teenager with messy hair and a defiant expression hopped down from the car and slammed the door shut.It was Elena.Klaus and Kai’s older sister.The firstborn of the Mikaelson bloodline.
Clara’s POVI was halfway through my second glass of wine when I noticed Klaus hadn’t taken his eyes off Amelia once. Not even to blink. The way he stared at her made me want to lunge across the table and shove a steak knife in his eye. But, classy girl that I am, I chose a different weapon—my mouth.“Do you always stare at people like that, or is it just your creepy little hobby?” I asked, casually slicing into my chicken.Klaus’s gaze snapped to me.Kai nearly spit out his drink. Amelia froze with her fork halfway to her lips.“I beg your pardon?” Klaus said, his voice low and dangerous.“Oh, no need to beg, sweetheart,” I said with a smile. “You’re already quite pitiful as it is.”Kai choked on a laugh, then coughed to cover it up. Amelia widened her eyes at me like I was walking into a death sentence.Klaus leaned back in his chair, expression darkening. “You’ve got quite a mouth on you.”“You should hear what it says when I’m actually pissed off,” I replied sweetly.The air in th
Amelia’s povMy knees buckled the moment Klaus stormed out of the room. I didn’t even make it to the bed—I collapsed right there on the cold marble floor, my heart pounding like a war drum in my chest.I could still feel his fury lingering in the air, thick like smoke after a fire. The way his eyes bore into me, the venom in his voice. it left an invisible bruise that wrapped around my chest and made it hard to breathe.Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them back. No. He doesn’t get my tears. Not tonight.I wrapped my arms around myself, rocking slightly, as if trying to gather the shattered pieces of myself back together. The silence felt loud after the storm he brought, and all I wanted was to disappear, just vanish into the walls of this cursed palace and never be found again.But then…Knock. Knock.I froze.My entire body tensed. Was he back?I stared at the door, eyes wide, breath shallow.“Lady Amelia?” a soft, female voice called from the other side. “Dinner