Conrad’s POVI sat in my office and was doing some paperwork when a knock sounded at the door. Whoever that was knocking now was testing his luck. The day had been terrible. I was yet to receive news about Dorian.The knocking came again, and I ushered the person in with a loud voice. The door handle creaked slightly as it was turned, and a head poked into my office."Are you here to give me news, or are you just practising to be a meerkat?"Jonas gulped and finally stepped into the room; he held a book in his arms, and I looked at it sceptically."Doing a bit of reading? I didn't think that you could read. Why are you here?"His legs turned to jelly, and I could feel the aura around him. He reeked of fear."My Prince, we still haven't made any progress on finding him."I snapped the pen in my hand, and my patience snapped along with it."What? I didn't quite hear you. Could you repeat that?"Jonas was trembling, and it was a miracle that he was still standing in front of me."We have
April's POV I woke up the next morning, and the house was silent. I sniffed the air, and there was no smell of breakfast.I got out of bed without any regard for sleeping Azura, and she was rudely startled and gave me an angry meow."I'm really sorry. You can sleep later."She meowed angrily, gave a soft hiss, and climbed back on the bed, her feet in a loaf position and staring at me with judgy eyes.I ignored her and headed downstairs. It was quiet, and the smell of breakfast didn't tinge the air. Susan was not home again, and the stove was ice cold. She hadn't cooked either.I took a deep breath and looked around. This was the perfect time to look for Stacie's pictures. If they weren't in my father's room, they had to be in her. Without a second to waste, I rushed upstairs to her room and crept to her door. It was possible that I was all wrong, and she was in her room taking the day off. I tiptoed to her door and placed my ear on the wood. I listened carefully but couldn't hear a
April’s POVI got home and stopped dead in my tracks. A familiar car was parked in the driveway, and as soon as I laid eyes on it, my heart began to pound in fear.That was Conrad's car, wasn't it? What was he doing here? Why was he at my house?The questions filled me with fear and curiosity. For a few minutes, every muscle in my body was undecided on whether to go in and meet him or retreat to Jacob's place.He hadn't called or texted me since I left the Royal City. Was he angry with me for some reason? Did I offend him in any way? Suddenly, the car door flung open, and I jolted in surprise. Conrad stepped out, and he locked eyes with me.My legs shut off, and I was rooted to the spot. I found myself staring into his blue eyes that seemed to reflect the sun's light like the ocean."What is happening to me?"I squeaked to myself and tried to move, but my limbs weighed a ton.All of a sudden, Conrad dashed towards me. Before I could comprehend what was happening, he picked me up and
April's POV Suddenly, he took my hand and fell to one knee. I looked at him, stunned and shaking. What was he doing? What was all of this?He pulled out a small velvet box from his pocket, and my fears intensified. Was it a..."I know we haven't known each other for very long, but I feel connected with you, April. I want you to be with me and rule by my side as my queen. I had everything that a prince could ask for except for true love. I'm asking you for myself now. April, would you be my bride?"I felt the world spin, but I was still in the same place. I felt faint and weak, and I could feel myself gasping for breath. The world around me was blacking out, and my lips became parched and crusty.No. This had to be a joke. This wasn't real. Please, someone, tell me that this isn't true. The thought of it all being a facade brought air back to my lungs, and I stared at Conrad intensively, trying to discern the joke in his stare. "Are you playing a prank on me?–"I tried to sound ligh
April's POV I turned, and Ivar and Jacob walked towards us, their expressions cold and stern. They stole an icy glance at me and then turned to Conrad, who snarled at them angrily."How dare you interrupt me? This is none of your business, and I suggest that you step down for your good. I was busy here before you two brats showed up."Ivar scoffed and rolled his eyes defiantly.I didn't think that you would expect me to hush up about something as disgraceful as this. If anything, you should be the one who is careful about who you're talking to.In an instant, Conrad's aide, who had been standing behind him the entire time, stepped forward. He looked nervous but tried his best to speak confidently to Ivar, who was trying his best not to flare up."How dare you talk to the Crown Prince of the Royal Empire in such a manner? Your insolence against his Majesty is a grave crime punishable by even death. I felt my hands and legs jitter with worry. I didn't want to be a reason for Ivar and
Dorian's POV I was lying in the snow. I was alone and cold, and my fingers ached as the blustery wind gnawed at them.Suddenly, I felt a warm, soft pillow under my head. I felt it, but it was not fluffy, but it was soft nonetheless.I looked up and saw a pair of blue eyes looking at me and hair that whipped elegantly despite the cold, bitter winds."April?"I reached out to caress her face, but she was fading, and my fingers went right through her like she was a ghost."April? Where are you going?"She was barely visible, and her smile was nowhere to be seen. She vanished, and I curled myself in the cold snow."Princess, don't go. It's cold. It's..."I opened my eyes and squinted as I felt the sun's rays on my face. Was it morning? Where was the snow? The wind? April? I looked around for her figure, but I was alone in the strange room. What was going on? Where was I? Was this another dream?I heard a click and turned to the door to see a man looking at me in surprise."Dorian?"I wa
Chapter 114April's POVStand-in Alpha? No. We couldn't have one. I turned to look at Ivar, and he was just as shocked as I was. There was no way we could accept someone else as the Alpha of the pack.The looking Ivar's eyes showed that he shared the same idea as me. We had to stop Conrad before he pushed it too far. "Conrad, I don't think that it is a good idea to bring in someone else to be the Alpha of this pack."He looked at me with one of his eyebrows raised."And why is that not a good idea? According to you, your alpha has been missing for days, and you have refused to take up the job as Luna of your pack, though you are the legitimate heir to the throne. What else would you have me do? Someone needs to lead the pack."I took a deep breath and faced Conrad squarely. I wasn't going to allow him to assign the duty of protecting this pack to someone else."Conrad, this pack has been ruled by my ancestors since its inception. It was this way long before we pledged loyalty to th
April's POV"What if your Alpha never comes back?"His question sent ripples down my spine, and my heart beat rapidly. My hands were shaking slightly, but I hid them behind my back before he could see them.No. I couldn't let him know that Dorian was back and he was safe. Ivar was right. We couldn't trust him for now. There was clearly still some enmity between him and Dorian. I had to be careful around him, just like I was with Susan. I had to trust my instincts. "Please, just reconsider." I continued to plead with him. The stakes were high. We couldn't let the Royal City get involved in this. We can have a meeting with the pack and let them decide what they want. It is best that we get their take on the matter."My hands had stopped shaking, and I crossed them behind my back, praying that the goddess would change his decision."I understand that you want peace, April. Outside leadership, the natural harmony of the pack is vital."I continued staring at him, my eyes moist as I begge