-Dante- Mission successful. I have finally been able to put Zafa in a fix, and with this, I can get him out of the way and out of this pack. I had planned to take two birds with one stone and that was getting at it perfectly.It's been three days now, and Aria was still in coma and not responding to treatment, just what I wanted. I loved Adonai's agitation while I pretended to worry and care, offering my comfort as well."What are you going to do now?" I had asked once in his room while he was pacing around restlessly."If Aria does not get better by sunset tomorrow, I am going to have no choice but to have the head of that bastard who put her in this condition," he swore."Well," I cleared my throat. "I warned you about him but you did not listen. Trusted him a bit early and now this."Adonai did not reply. I had said that intentionally to prick him more. He should have listened to me. Wait until Aria dies; perhaps he will learn to listen to his brother more and not trust a total st
-Zafa- My days in the prison were uneventful, with thoughts of how Aria was faring and what would happen to me eventually. I had no news of her and except for the whisperings of the guards and maids around, I had no idea what was happening outside the four corners of the room I was kept in. From the look of things, I suspected Aria was not getting any better.I tried to get some information off the guards securing my door."Heiss," I hissed silently but did not get any response from them, even though I was sure they heard me."Hey," I tried again."Shut the fuck up fool," one of them finally said. "Who are you trying to talk to? You're a prisoner condemned to death."I waited for my chance. I could see the other guard was not as grumpy so when he was alone, I called out to him."Look, I just want to know about the status of the princess, nothing more," I coaxed, and he looked around to be sure no one was watching."I shouldn't be telling you this nor talking to you," he said. "The pr
-Adonai- Ungrateful set of werewolves, fools. They have the nerve to tell me I am being affected by the same woman who was able to break the curse I have lived with for years. The only woman who has been able to win my heart.They don't even care about me, and despite everything I have done for them, they do not care to show a little concern for everything I am going through now.Aria is my life and everything. I cannot let anything happen to her. Fuck the council of elders, fuck the pack. If I cannot save my Aria then I don't care about any other thing.I looked at myself in the mirror, and it was a contrast to everything I used to be proud of. I did not see the almighty Alpha I was able to make out of myself. Ever since I met Aria, my perspective about a lot of things changed. I was not satisfied with power anymore, all I wanted was her."Aargh!" I exclaimed and my fist went flying to the mirror before I could help it. Someone gasped and I turned round to see Maria. She has walked
-Dan-Adonai walked towards me, his eyes not leaving me for a second and I could read suspicion in them."Why are you just standing there and unable to tell me anything?" He asked. "Did something happen to Aria?""N...no," I stuttered and shook my head. "Nothing happened to her. I was just about to give her the drug before you came in.""Then go ahead and do it," he stretched his hands forward. "What are you waiting for?""Oh yeah, sure," I breathed out in relief as I hurried to the bedside to inject her. Good gracious, I thought I had been caught. Surely, this would be the end of me.I watched from the corners of my eyes as Adonai looked while I worked. I could see the passion, the worry, and love through him. How this lady had managed to win over his heart was something worth studying but I wouldn't have the time for that now until I was able to first get myself out of this mess.When I was done, I stepped back and Adonai went to sit beside her silently, taking her cold hands delica
-Zafa- Dan jumped in fright and we both turned round to see the guard in our faces."Good gracious heavens. I thought it was Dante," Dan muttered, breathing hard and placing his hand on his chest."Dante?" I repeat with a raised brow. "You are working for him, right? Why am I surprised?""Did someone hear me?" The guard shook his head at us. "I've got not much time for this. I cannot get into trouble because of the two of you.""Right," Dan turned to him. "Just give us a few minutes and we'll be done, I promise."The guard eyed us, and when he said we were waiting for him to leave so we could continue talking, he snorted before walking back to the door."So you were working for Dante?" I asked immediately, and he said he did. Dan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them, he let out a breath."I was stupid, Zafa. And I only did it in the first place because I was jealous of you," he said."Wait, really?" "You were so skilled that I was scared you would take my plac
-Prisca-I had no idea what was happening to Aria and did not know how to feel about it. Zafa had been arrested but even though I was not happy with him for the way he treated me in the first place, trashing my feelings and emotions as a woman, I was finding it difficult to believe he had poisoned Aria.It seemed he was framed but who was I to say otherwise or even for my opinion to be heard? I was not even allowed to see Aria since she was kept in treatment and I got updates about her health from Maria who told me she was not getting any better.She wore a sad look every time she was telling me."Did you think he did it?" I had asked her once out of curiosity."Who? Dan? No," she shook her head. "I don't think he would do such a thing to Aria. He doesn't seem like such a person.""You don't think he did only because he doesn't look like one who would?""No, because my instincts tell me so," she said and I shrugged."In that case, since Aria is not getting any better, why don't they l
-Adonai- I blinked my eyes rapidly at the sight before me to be sure I was seeing well."What is this?" I asked the guards even though I could see clearly who it was. Dan was lying lifeless and as cold as the floor beneath him."We found his dead body in the heart of the forest. It was murder. His stomach was torn open by strong werewolf paws. There were no traces of who did it."I swallowed a lump and took in a shaky breath."How did this happen?" I asked no one in particular and did not get any reply. "Just how did this happen.""Who would have killed him and for what reason?" Dante asked the question that was on my mind. "Did he have any fights with someone?"And to those questions, there were no answers as well. I could not think straight. Aria needed to be treated and one of the best men in the pack had just been killed.I had to get some doctors on standby to attend to her while the guards searched for Dan but now that he was found dead...I did not even know what to do."What d
-Dante- If only I had known that killing Dan would make Adonai think of the option of using Zafa, I would have thought of something better. But Dan was a fool and the reason for my hasty decision. I was livid. He dared go behind my back to seek Zafa's help.He must have told him I forced him into it and I cannot have such foolishness go free. My only consolation was that the poison would have done severe damage to Aria by now that there would be no help for her.Let Zafa try all he can, and Adonai try to get all the medicine men he can far and wide, there's nothing that can be done.I have made all my strategies and they are ready now. I have strong support within and outside the pack. This is only but a distraction before I pounce on Adonai finally. He wouldn't be able to fight back because his hold on the pack is weak.Almost all the elders and men in the pack are by my side. I have penetrated them and talked them into believing Adonai was no good anymore. Aria made it even easier
- Prisca-"You...you followed me?" I stuttered. He stood up from the bed and walked towards me slowly. I moved back instinctively."Yes I did," he said casually. "I came to your house, but you were nowhere to be found, so I sat and waited for you. Where have you been?"For a brief moment, life left my body. I thought he followed me to the hideout and knew everything.Oh shit...I let out a deep breath of relief. Thank goodness."Uh...uhm," I swallowed hard. "I was just around, you know. The pack. I needed some fresh air so I went for a stroll.""So why didn't you return to the palace?" He asked further and I quickly thought of what I could say."Well," I chuckled nervously. "Just trying to escape from the tension in the palace. I mean, so much has happened in just one day so..."Adonai grunted and his eyes scrutinised me, perhaps trying to see if he could believe me or not."I had to come here because we needed to talk," he finally said. "About what's happened earlier. We are married b
-Prisca- "Who are they?" I asked them, trying hard to keep calm."We don't know Prisca," one shrugged. "But they did not look anything like us. They looked different. Maybe werewolves from another pack."What business does Aria have with other werewolves that they came for her? Or has she been having contact outside our pack all this while? That bitch, I cursed under my breath. She always manages to escape my hands.Gosh, I hit my fist against my palm. And I was this close to getting rid of her this time. I hissed and made for the door when the men called my attention."What do we do now?" They asked and I scowled at them."Get your failure asses back home. What else is left to be done when you have lost her?""Then what about our payment?"I turned round in disbelief to face them. Had they the nerve to ask me that?"What payment?" I scoffed."For the work we did for you. You haven't paid us.""You bunch of losers are expecting payment?" I asked."We had a deal. You cannot just send
-Prisca- Yes! My plan has finally worked. I am going to exchange marital vows with Adonai and legally be his wife.It does not count that I am impersonating Aria. He is not going to be tied to Aria in reality but to me.I sat beside him, before the crowd with my face veiled and a sly smile across my face which no one could see.A few people had suggested I take off the veil so they could behold my face but Adonai politely declined. No one pushed it, and I successfully got tied to Adonai.I had feared that Dante would have wanted to expose me because he didn't seem pleased with the plan, but he didn't.I was led to Adonai's room while the party continued in the hall. There I took off my veil and sat comfortably on his bed.He was not here yet, for he was still having some drinks with his visitors. I chuckled happily. Alas, my dream has come to pass.The door opened and I quickly adjusted. I hissed when I saw it was Ariel."What are you doing here?" I asked sharply. She did not reply b
-Adonai-It took a while before what she said registered in my head."Are you insane?" I retorted, placing a finger on the side of my head."No, I am not," she responded confidently."How then can you say such a thing?""I am only trying to help you, alpha," she said. "Think of what the people at the table will say when you return there without a bride.""And have you thought about what it would be when they also realize that you are not Aria?""They wouldn't have to know. A bride can be veiled. You are not under any law to reveal your face to anyone. I believe that they might think that is what you want and they will respect it."I hesitated, trying hard to think about what Prisca had said. She was right. I would be seen as a fool if I returned to the people with the news of Aria eloping with another man and there would be no wedding.It would be the second time I gathered people and something ruined the ceremony."You know what, you are right. But this is just for the ceremony. You
-Adonai- I took in a deep breath to steady myself when Maria approached me, her face strained with worry and told me Aria was nowhere to be found.I had asked her to go get her since the ceremony was about to start."What do you mean by she is nowhere to be found," I asked, my voice in a low whisper so the people at my table would not hear."Even I don't understand myself," Maria said. "But she is not in her room and no one seems to have seen her."No, this cannot be happening now. I braced myself and tried to remain calm."Uhm, gentlemen, I will be right back," I addressed the men at my table."Is everything fine?" Dominick asked as I excused myself and I told him all was well. All was not well at all. A few minutes to the start of my wedding the bride is nowhere to be found.I walked with long strides towards Aria's room with Maria following steadily behind me."I was wondering if she had to quickly do something outside the palace because it doesn't seem like she..." Maria trailed
-Aria- I groaned in pain as I opened my eyes. I tried to move but discovered I couldn't, I was tied firmly to something I could not see, a pole or something.What's going on? I tried to think. The last thing I remembered was being prepared for my wedding and then strange faces appeared in my room.I looked up sharply when I realised what had happened. I was in an empty room that was void of anything normal in a location I could not fathom.I recognised the faces in the room as the ones who had walked in on me."Who are you and why did you kidnap me?" My throat was dry, as well as my voice. None of them bothered to give me an answer."Hey, say something. Who sent you?" I pushed."Keep it down Aria," a very familiar voice said. "This is not the palace where you speak anyhow you like and everyone is answerable to you.""Prisca?" I muttered under my breath but she heard."Tis me, yes," she stretched her hands out in a show of dignity. "Flesh and blood."I looked on in shock. Is this a dr
-Aria- I was being dressed by the maids for the wedding when Adonai walked in, and they all trooped out to give us a moment."Is anything the matter?" I asked, searching his face."Not really," he replied with a small smile on his face. "I just wanted to see you."I rolled my eyes at him."You see me every day," I pointed out."Yeah," he replied with a sigh as he walked to a stool and sat in front of me, his eyes watched me tenderly."What?" I shook my head with a chuckle."You know, there is this old story we heard while growing up," he said."Okay?""That you become too excited and overwhelmed about someone or something because you are about to lose it.""Hmm." I breathed out. "Never heard about that before. But why are you talking about that? Are you thinking I might leave you?""No. I am relating it to how excited I am about getting married to you," he said and took my hand in his. "Are you ready to become Mrs. Adonai and Luna of this pack?""You think I am ready?" I threw back a
-Adonai- Today is the day I officially get married to Aria. I was sure my face radiated the joy I felt within. I could not hide it.I walked around the building, watching as the maids and guards ran around to put things in order. It is going to be a very big ceremony. Invites have been sent far and near, and all the provinces and clans, big and small packs, would be gathered for the wedding.Werewolves coming from far distances had arrived the night before. Dante approached me with a grimace on his face."So you are finally getting married to Aria," he commented."So am I," I said with the same energy."Well, how does that make you feel?" He wanted to know and I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to discern his reason for asking."Complete, I guess. A man with a family.""Mmm," Dante hummed and nodded. "True.""And after this, you also have to settle down as well. You have a fiancé already, so that wouldn't be hard, I guess?"He chuckled."Well then, after you."While we spoke, alpha Do
-Aria- My heart skipped a beat when I lifted my eyes to the door and saw Adonai. He walked in with a blank expression on his face, approaching us slowly."Adonai, Zafa here was just telling me that he was leaving the pack. It was what we were discussing before you walked in," I jumped in to explain hurriedly when he had not asked me anything.Adonai did not respond. I tried to read his expression, but he hid it well. He stood beside me and faced Zafa, who looked back boldly as if Adonai had not walked in on us almost about to kiss."Is that so?" Adonai finally spoke, addressing Zafa."It is indeed so," Zafa confirmed, unshaken."But you did not tell me," Adonai said dryly. "You came to my wife to tell her but I am not aware of what is going on.""She was the one that sent for me first," Zafa replied. "And I did plan to tell you, though, she is the reason why I came to this pack. Either way, you would have known anyway."I was worried about the way the two were going. I wouldn't want