-Aria-“Why are you still standing there?” I asked the maid who stood like a statue. “Go on and return this to the alpha. Tell him I am not going to be his date.”“Jasmine,” Prisca called in a fierce whisper, jabbing me but I paid no attention to her. The maid bowed and walked out while I adjusted on the bed with a mixed feeling. Pride and fear. Proud of what I had done and scared of what Adonai’s reaction would be.“Do you have a dead wish?” I was left alone in the room with Prisca’s shock to begin with.“No, I don’t. But what I do have is prestige and dignity,” I said with a raised shoulder and she shook her head at me.“You and your prestige and dignity are so going to melt under Adonai’s wrath. What the hell is wrong with you Jasmine?”“Why are you sounding like I have done something so hideous? All I did was reject an offer I was not interested in. What is so wrong with that?”“Everything! Everything Jasmine. This is the alpha we are talking about and do I have to remind you th
-Aria-I placed my hand on my chest while gasping for air after Adonai left and Prisca rushed in.“Are you okay?” she asked, hurrying to my sides. I straightened and nodded.“Damn, he looked really angry. You shouldn’t have done that Jasmine,” she said but I did not say a word to her and went to lay on the bed.I could hear her sneaking under the covers beneath me but I was too shaken to worry about her presence. I worried instead, about my state of mind and what had become of me.All the words Adonai had spoken to me still hung in the air and I was pained to think I had something mutual with him when he saw me as a mere sex toy.I winced in pain at the way he had treated me roughly like I meant nothing to him and how I had been helpless in his grip.I wondered if he was just a pretentious heartless man who would change his countenance like a chameleon because of what he wanted because a few weeks ago he could take all my acts and let me do as I wished and now I am nothing but a mistr
-Ariel-The ball had ended abruptly when Jasmine’s accident happened and I had stood up and gasped in shock just like everyone else in the hall and now wearing a sad face while waiting for the doctor with mother and a few others.If only they could see what was going on within me, they would definitely know that I was behind what had happened to Jasmine but since they couldn’t, no one would be able to point it to me. I was certain that Jasmine would not make it this time. Looking down at her almost lifeless body sprawled on the floor when she fell, it was hard to believe she would come out alive.Mother was sobbing softly on a stool while I tried to comfort her, placing a hand on her shoulder while I allowed my tears to fall freely down my face. Some of the guests who had stayed back began to leave when it was approaching dusk. I looked around the room, Adonai was sitting silently but I could see that he was furious.Dante was standing with a blank expression on his face. He had as
-Crystal-Everything seemed to return to normal after a while and there were not many questions about the pregnancy as I was able to cover it well with the help of my very good for, Lisa.Asher had not been able to do anything because I had threatened to expose him if he did and Derick had helped me speak to him just as I requested as well.Although we were no longer living as before, Asher had maintained a distance and tried to keep away from me as much as possible. He was still mad and I did not expect anything less. But I believed with time he would get over it.I stuck around in the palace. Not like I had any choice of leaving anyway. I can’t. What explanation would I give for that? To the people, I am still the Luna.However, despite all the chaos that was not worried me the most. I had been feeling nauseous and sick of late and only got to find out I was pregnant.I had been cold to my feet but held myself till I saw Derick and announced it to him. He looked at me as if I had a
-Aria-I sucked in a deep breath as I stood before the council yet again just like I had stood before them a few hours after I had reawakened in Jasmine’s body. Unlike the first time, I had no confidence in myself and what judgment would befall me.I had woken up to find out I had been unconscious for a long. Prisca recounted all that had happened to me and the memory returned. It was funny how my body wasn’t wrapped in bandages and I was still in good piece after that fall. Except for the thudding headache I felt, it was almost like It had not happened. But it did.I did not have the time to fully recover or even ask any questions when I was paraded before Adonai and the elders. I was to get even more shocked by the allegations that I had thrown myself over those stairs just to disgrace the alpha. My mouth threw open in shock. Like who in his right senses would ever do such a thing?I wanted to laugh and tell them there was no way in the world, I Aria would ever do that. Did they see
-Aria-I sat on the bed, resting my head on the pillow while listening to Ms. Ellen's ceaseless laments about what had happened. The meeting at the council had ended, and I am now in my room with Ariel, Prisca, and Ms. Ellen. My head was still banging and the talks were not making me feel any better."Why is all this happening to me," Ms Ellen lamented for the umpteenth time."Mother can you calm down please," Ariel said. She was obviously fed up and the irritation was obvious on her face. I could not tell if the expression on her face was one from the long-lasting beef she had with me or of one trying to put her feelings in check after a failed attempted murder.I could not get my mind off the thought of who might have been behind it. It could be possible that whoever it was that had killed Jasmine has returned with a stronger resolve to get rid of me for good and this time around, he or she is bent on achieving that no matter what. I was not safe anymore. I knew I wasn't from the b
-Prisca-I had not gone far after I walked out of Jasmine's room that I heard hasty footsteps behind me and I had no doubts as to whom it was.I did not know if I should hasten my steps to lose her or slow down so she would get to me. I knew she wanted to talk to me, there was something decisive about the way she was walking and I was certain nothing good was coming out of it."Hey you," she was already closing in on me and when she called I knew there was no way I could prevent it. I sucked in a deep breath to steady myself and closed my eyes briefly before turning round to face her hard countenance."I am sure you do not need anyone to tell you how much I do not like and approve of your relationship with my daughter, Jasmine. Do not get me mistaken. I have no reason to hate you simply because you are not opportune to be like us. But I would have loved that you stayed where you are instead of trying to force yourself where you do not belong."I opened my mouth to speak and she raised
-Crystal-Days had gone by and everything was going well and almost returned to normal. I was able to successfully get rid of the baby and I continued my affair with Derick while I sought to make peace with Asher. It was a risky bait and I was sitting on the fence but I did not care. I had gone far in the game to be scared of the actions I was taking and had also gone far to go back. I made sure to look my best this evening because I wanted to lure Asher to bed. My mother, a cunning woman who was too like my friend Lisa had told me that I could get anything, especially from a man if I knew how to play my games well. Once Asher can lay with me again, it will not be difficult to get him to forget everything that has happened.I strolled down the hallway towards his room which I had avoided for days since the issue we had. But to my uttermost shock, the guard maiming the door did not want to let me in when I got to the door. I scoffed in disbelief, squinting my eyes questioningly at h
-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
-Aria-I moved away from the view of the window and sucked in a deep breath. I was getting better already, but health came with its problems. I was not on good terms with both Zafa and Adonai, and the two avoided me.I had thought Zafa was acting up because of his feelings for me, but when I found out what happened, it was already too late.I confronted Adonai, too, and now he was upset with me even though he had taken off the sentence on Zafa and he was a free man again. That did not solve anything.And it is funny to think that the wedding ceremony was just in two days and the couple were not talking to each other. Adonai might as well as just call off the wedding for now, or postpone it. I loved him and can not wait to get married to him but at least, not like this."Never have I seen a bride looking like this a few days before her wedding, except, of course, she doesn't love the groom, which is not the case for you," Prisca commented."A lot of things are going on in my head," I t
-Adonai- I couldn't help the joy that radiated all over me, happy because both Aria and my baby were safe and in good condition. I quickly took my bath so I would return to Aria and spend some time with her. She was all that mattered to me and not this ungrateful pack I led.I would take a break from everything and create a special date for me and her. I have put plans for all the wedding preparations to kick start with immediate effect. I am wasting no time in making her my wife, whether the pack likes it or not.I walked into the room to meet her talking with Prisca, who excused us immediately after I walked in."Hey love," I greeted Aria brightly as I dragged a stool and sat close to her."Hi," her voice was less enthusiastic than before but I decided not to dwell on it."So how are my babies doing," I asked as I rubbed my hands against each other."Good," she answered shortly."Okay..." At this point, I was sure something was wrong. "Is everything alright? Why are you sounding th
-Adonai- I paused and turned round to behold Aria's questioningly eyes on me and Zafa."Aria?" I called under my breath, unable to believe my eyes even though it was a thing I wanted so badly. I let go of Zafa and he staggered, hitting a table. I care less about him as I hurried to Aria and held her hands. "Aria you are alive.""What happened?" She asked as she tried to sit up."Please don't stress it," I held her back gently. "You have been in a coma for days now.""Coma?" Her eyes widened a bit."Yes," I replied as I explained. "You were poisoned." I turned towards Zafa's direction as I spoke and she followed my eyes."What?...what about my baby?" She suddenly panicked."Hey calm down...""My baby, did....did something happen to it?""Calm down now," I said slowly as I sat beside her on the bed. "Look at me. That is something we don't know for now but the most important thing is you are alive.""No," she shook her head vigorously. "Nothing must happen to my baby.""Come on, we can
-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