Rayna’s pov. I was running madly and due to the absence of my wolf, I was getting tired too easily. When I felt that I had been running for an eternity, I stopped near a huge tree and leaned my side to it. My breath was labored, and I slid down on the grassy ground. Till now there was nothing but the silence in the jungle and a howl from some wild animals, but I needed to be prepared if by any chance I bumped into a rogue. Taking out the water bottle, I took a small sip not knowing if this single bottle could survive my journey. Drawing out a pack of crisps, I placed one or two in my mouth. The fear of hunger and thirst wasn’t allowing me to eat or drink lavishly. Resting my head to the tree trunk, I closed my eyes and could almost hear Alex’s voice in my head,“Seriously? Are you praising my cooking skills or insulting me?”“To win you over, sunshine.”“I invited you to spend time with me. Not to do this dishwashing thing.”Goddess! How would I close my eyes when all I could see
Rayna’s pov:With trembling hands, I reached for the dagger in my pocket and felt the handle. I had to defend myself no matter what happened.“Who are you?” The one who was behind their leader took its human form and asked me. He was stinky. Even a wolfless like me could smell their stinky scent.They were definitely rogues. No question about that.One by one, they started transforming into their humans. All of them had nasty faces. Their foul odor was clinging to them like a second skin.These rogues who had strayed from the pack were driven by hunger and savagery.“And who are you?” I tried to bring some boldness into my tone.“Don’t you dare answer our questions with your questions? You are the one who stumbled into our territory.” He snarled, his words dripping with venom, “And you know very well who we are. We are the outcasts.”When I didn’t respond, one of them scrunched his forehead, “Chief. She seems from the Royal family. Her cloak has the royal seal.”The chief’s eyes snapp
Alexander’s pov:We had been roaming in the jungle for hours but there was no sign of Rayna. What I didn’t understand was how she managed to take the step without her wolf.“Your Highness, I have traced all the trails on the north. No one seems to be passing here except a few wild animals.” A warrior gave me the report via mind link. We all were in our Lycan forms except Nora who was a werewolf but was in her human form.I didn’t look in her direction when felt her coming towards me, “Any news from the South?” She asked in concern as she surveyed the surroundings, hands placed on her hips. “No. Maybe I should scout the area myself,” I communicated through my Lycan.His aura was still simmering with anger, still not responding to me. However, I could feel his eyes moving around like a hawk. His eyes were on every tiniest detail around us. “Are you mad at me?” Nora asked from behind and at that point I had to take over from my Lycan. Getting into my human form, I hastily took a pair
Rayna’s pov:My eyes fluttered open and I found myself in a white room. Everything was pristine white. Ceilings, walls… Turning my head, I found myself on a white bed.The world seemed blurry and the room was swimming before my eyes. My face had this uncomfortable tightness around it.Like someone was squeezing it. I raised my hand to touch it.“Ah!” I winced in pain and tried to decipher if I had died, and the Goddess was deciding right now if I should be sent to heaven or hell.There were more chances for hell because I don’t think going to Heaven was so painful.“Are… are you alright?” I heard the voice of a woman who I didn’t notice earlier. The woman was dressed in a black warrior suit and was assessing me with narrowed eyes.Her mouth was busy chewing gum, and she was touching my arms to look for any signs of discomfort. However, when her hand landed on my head, I let out a small scream, “N… N… Nnooo!”Hearing back my raspy voice reminded me of what happened. I tried to sit stra
Rayna’s POV:“How are you feeling now?” He strolled towards me followed by the same short man. His voice carried a dangerous undertone. With every step, his presence was becoming more commanding, until his hands landed on the mattress with a thud on either side caging me with his body and the bed.I couldn’t speak so I did what I could manage with my bandaged face. I stared back into his eyes. The amusement in those green orbs turned into a shocking surprise after a few moments.“Who are you?” his green eyes were roaming on my face, “You are not a Royal,” several lines appeared on his forehead when I shook my head, “then how come you are maintaining this eye contact?” He muttered more to himself. He was a handsome devil, his striking features were enough to betray the simmering danger lurking beneath that charming facade and I didn’t know why someone would declare him a rogue. By now he should have taken a mate. Or maybe he did have a partner.“Can you please respond to my questions
Rayna’s povTwenty-four hours were about to end, and I had to think fast before this Chief would barge into my room and start questioning me unnecessarily. “Hello there,” the doctor waved at me from the doorway, “can I come in?”I tried to nod and then when it hurt, I blinked twice. He stepped inside and pulled a stool close to the bed. “How are you feeling?” he inquired in a friendly way, placing his stethoscope on the bed, and tossed the writing pad on my lap.“Not good,” I wrote.He read it with a frown and looked up, “And why is that? Is it because of Orion?”“Orion?” I scribbled the name with a big question mark. “Yeah. Our chief. His name is Orion. Don’t you know that?” I tried to shake my head a little.Orion. Such a pretty name for a devil rogue.Within a few moments, an idea flashed in my head. After all, I was the same woman who gave a tough time to her ex-triplet mates.I jotted down quickly, “I need your help, doctor.”“What is it?”I then readied myself for writing a l
(One month later)Nora’s pov:One month had passed since Rayna left the palace. We all had given up on the hope that she was alive except Alexander. He was the only one hanging on the hope that she was still there somewhere.Every time I saw him, it used to give me immense guilt. His beast was going feral with each passing day, and I had so much pressure from the queen to take him as my chosen mate as soon as possible. Poor her thought that Alexander’s beast would be happy once I’d be mated to him. However, she hadn’t seen what I did when we were alone.The mark on his neck, that was given to him by Rayna. The way he used to touch it, whenever he was in deep thinking. Daily, the tropes would scour the forests to look for her. He even sent his men to the human colonies to search for her.A group of experts was staying there among the dense trees at night to keep an eye on every moving object. Brian also agreed with me that maybe we had lost her in those cruel jungles, yet Alexander
Rayna’s POV: “Excited about tomorrow?” I placed the book beside me on the stair where I was seated and looked up to meet Shorty’s gaze. “Dunno…” I shrugged with a pout, “Getting rid of these bandages means the grilling from the chief.” He chuckled and slapped my shoulder, a silent request to make room for him. Holding the banister, I moved aside and let him sit beside me. The number of bandages on my face was reduced considerably. I was allowed to talk but in minimum words. Two tight bandages were still around my cheeks keeping my mouth bound from speaking or moving while eating. The good thing about it? I was allowed to have as much ice cream as I wanted. Bad thing? I hated chewing fruits and wasn’t getting any due to my present state. The worst thing? My time was up. I had this one month and now the chief wouldn’t spare me. I didn’t want to lie to him about anything but in this one month, the one thing I had learned was he hated royals. He not only despised them but also
(Two years later)“Your Highness. There is a woman who wants to meet you,” I closed the book, I was reading in my library, and looked at the little bundle of joy sleeping peacefully in my arms.I mind linked the governess to come and get the baby and wait for me here. “Keep her here. No need to come out,” I instructed her after kissing the small forehead and went to the guest area. I knew who my visitor was.That was the reason I passed some special instructions to my servants.When I reached there, I found a red-colored, huge, georgette cloth hanging in the middle. The woman was sitting on the other side of the cloth wrapped in a black shawl hiding more than half of her face.The shawl belonged to only one woman.No servants or maids were accompanying her. She was not wearing any fancy gown but a simple cotton skirt with a mismatched blouse.I took my seat on this side and waited for her to speak. I had somewhat guessed that she would come to meet me one day.“Alexander… I… I’m here
(NOTE:It’s a free chapter for my dearest readers as it was too short to post. Love you all!)Lola’s POV:Sigh! I was back in the cell and was trying to decide if this time I should seduce the guards or the strong man who usually brought meals for me.This time I was chained but there was almost no physical abuse. Orion passed the order of my arrest because someone told him that I attempted to kill Alexander.And why would I do that? I love him!I kept screaming at the top of my lungs that I was innocent and then…Then someone told me that Liam heard me talking to the witch.My own flesh and blood were the ones who spoke against me. When I kept doing all those evil things, nobody could even harm a hair on my body.But this time when I was really innocent, I was thrown into the dungeons. I didn’t say a word after that. Trust me.The person who loves you most can give you the worst pain. In my case, it was Liam. Every bad thing I was doing to others was because of him.I wanted the thro
Zara’s POV:(Trigger warning for physical abuse and rape, but not too graphic)There wasn’t a moment I didn’t miss my friend. As Omegas, all of us always had great respect for her. None of us could tell her that. She was always so strong-headed and knew how to stand and speak up for her rights. Nothing about her was odd. Do you know, why?Because she was the firstborn of the beta of the pack. As powerful and as strong-willed as a beta should be. Her father, her stepmom, his mates, Violet… all of them tried to take away something she deserved.And then didn’t like it when she took a stand for herself and protested. Eric must have realized what a gem he lost.But the shitty-headed man didn’t want to accept it with an open heart. Apparently, a man is someone who knows how to suppress a woman and finds it insulting to apologize for his mistakes.His ego is bigger than his di*ck.That day when Rayna went to take a shower because she was too excited about her upcoming date with King Alexan
Rayna’s POV:“What is my wife thinking!” I gasped and then smiled when his arms wrapped around my waist kissing the nape of my neck.“I was missing my husband,” I leaned back my head to his chest, forgetting all my worries knowing full well he was there to take care of everything.I trusted him and was sure he would be a great father to our child.“How is our son doing?” his hand slid under my top and I laughed hard when it settled on my bo*ob. “The baby doesn’t reside here, mister,” I gestured using my eyes towards his hand that was under my clothes. “Umm hmm. I know. His food is. I was just checking if there is enough to fill his tummy,” I felt his nose getting in my hair. “Ahan! His food or your food?”“Both!” he chuckled when felt my shoulders shaking with mirth.“You keep saying his, him, he… what if it’s a daughter?”“Lycans of royal lineage usually have sons as their firstborn,” he informed me huskily, “And we don’t prefer ultrasounds too unless it’s an emergency.”In werew
Rayna’s POV:My eyes fluttered and I felt like I was waking up from a deep sleep. With a frown, I opened my eyes and found Alexander’s face leaning on me.“Welcome back!” I felt his lips on my forehead. “Alexander!” I raised my hand to trail my fingers on his face, “Y…you … you are alive!” He turned his face to kiss my palm, “Very much. Just get well soon, so that I can punish you for what you did,” He murmured and kissed my cheek.“Punish?” my hand quickly flew to my belly when saw tears in his eyes.“He is safe, sunshine. Don’t worry. He is my son and he made it.”His image blurred when my eyes well up with tears, and he started wiping my face, “Whatever you did was quite risky, Rayna.”“I was fighting the Moon Goddess, Alex. What’s the use of these hands and the healing power when I can’t bring you back.”He leaned his cheek against my face, and I felt his tears falling on my face, “If I tell you,” He spoke, “that I’m done with taking care of this kingdom and no more want this th
Orion’s POV:“The baby is safe,” the moment the doctor announced it, a loud cheer erupted in the hospital corridor. Till a few minutes back, everyone was concerned for Rayna and the baby’s health but now all of us were beaming with joy.“Orion,” I heard Nora behind me, “Why is Mom not coming to visit Alexander? Don’t you think she is behaving a lot weirdly, lately?”The same question kept disturbing me for the past few days. Why was Mom not paying him any visit? She always took him as her son to the point that I felt jealous. And now when I had made peace with it, she had started acting strange.My security department had arrested several people from the palace, but our investigation faced a dead end.According to the guards who were on duty, only Mom was the one who visited Alexander so that meant only one thing.Whoever this murderer was, didn’t use the main entrance.Nobody forced Mom to see Alexander in the hospital because with age she wasn’t handling a few things quite well.We
Rayna’s POV:Right after the surgery, I was taken inside where his lifeless body was lying on the bed. His chest was wrapped in bandages, and he was kept alive by all those beeping machines.I raised my hands and there was no itching or any hue there.“What’s the matter?” I whispered to myself.“Ma’am,” a nurse spoke to me, “if you need anything then please press this button,” when she left the room, I sat on the edge of his bed instead of taking the nearby seat.“I don’t need any switches. I want nothing but you,” I said to him, without knowing if he could hear me or not.“I don’t have anyone in this world. My mother died. Father never thought of me as his own. My best friend broke up with me yesterday…” I held his hand gently, “Lola was a nutcase. Liam and Grace do love me, but they are too little to understand me. All I have got is you… and this little life growing inside me.”I slowly laid his hand on my belly, “Here. Your child, Alexander. Our child. Just when it was time to spoi
Orion's POV:We all were gathered in the grand hall of the palace that was reserved strictly for Royal ceremonies. While standing on the stage, the incidents that happened seven years ago, kept playing in my mind like a movie.Just like that day, my family was seated in the front row, their eyes devoid of any happiness. Nora, Stella, and Ruby were observing the ceremony solemnly but there was no excitement in those eyes that was there seven years back.Yet, my mom was the same. She had pride when she saw me all ready to take the oath to become the king of the Aradia Kingdom. She was wiping her tears, and I was aware of her mental state.She must be disturbed by Alexander’s condition but had to put up the face for people’s sake because apparently a queen is supposed to stay composed in public.The most senior cleric brought the Holy book and raised it on both hands, with his head bowed in respect.I placed my right hand on the book and repeated the words said by the him,“I, Orion Iron
Rayna’s POV:Most of my packing was done, however my basic stuff was yet to be placed in the bag. Beta Brian must be crazy to wake me up at this ungodly hour. The poor guy seemed to have multiple personality disorder.After brushing my teeth, and washing my face, I placed my leftover stuff in the bag and knocked my door loudly from inside.It was a sign to the one waiting outside that I was done. It was a way for royals to tell their servants that they were needed inside.When Brian came inside, I was busy suppressing the loud yawn. I had to squeeze my eyes several times to get rid of my sleepy head.“Can we get coffee? I’m too sleepy to walk…” This time I couldn’t control the yawn and quickly covered my mouth with my hand.“You can sleep in the car,” He muttered and then didn’t wait for my answer and left the room with my bag.“What’s the rush by the way?” I tried to catch up with his long strides, “No breakfast. No coffee. Alexander might not like it.” I said with a pout causing hi