Conrad's POV"Move! Get out of my way!"I can barrelling down the hallway. My eyebrow was furrowed, my breathing frantic and my eyes wide. I hurried to my room in my villa and closed the door behind me.I was trembling and shaking. In my hands, I held a document and I was terrified to open it and read it again. I paced around the room. What had I done? Why did I do it? How long has this been going on?My encounter with Susan had changed my perception of everything. I thought that I was the mastermind but it seemed that she was the one pulling the strings all along.I felt my mind unravelling and my fears were laid bare before me. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe that I was the son of a mere maid. I had Royal blood flowing in my veins but my mother was a handmaid and my father didn't love her enough to keep her around.My father had always been there for me since I was little. He was the only family that I had and now, I could feel the weight of my decision on me.I looked at
April's POVI was with Dorian all night. I couldn't bear to leave him alone. He held me close as he slept, and I stroked his hair gently. It was morning, and the sun had yet to rise. Hus stirring in bed had woken me up, and I couldn't go back to sleep. I stole glances at his peaceful face as he slept, and my mind was in overdrive. I felt my heart being drawn towards him, but I could feel myself resisting.Lyra had been going crazy all night, but I was able to suppress her and keep her under control. She wanted to be with Dorian, her mate, but I was scared. I was scared of being broken. I was scared of being hurt all over again by him.He took a deep breath, and it fanned my face gently. I looked at his sleeping face and couldn't help but stroke his cheek. He was in pain; he was hurt that his real father had just died. He had been sobbing quietly into my chest before he slept off, but now, he looked tranquil. His face was relaxed. He was at peace, even if it was only for a little whil
April's POV10 am came so fast. It was just a few minutes again that Dorian and I were lying in bed. I watched him as he got dressed for the meeting.It had been King since I saw him without a shirt on. My eyes feasted on his muscular torso, and he pulled his trousers on. He stood in the mirror, and I was graced by a view of his front and back.As he bent over to pull the trousers up, the muscles in his back tensed up. I felt hot and sweaty as I watched him. I gripped my thigh to dissipate my tension, but I only ended up hurting myself from digging my fingernails in too deep.In the mirror, I admired his chest and abs. Every muscle stood out and made him look like a god, an Adonis.One could imagine my disappointment once it was time for him to put his shirt on."Wait!"The words exploded from my mouth, and it was too late to put my hands over my mouth.Dorian turned around and looked at me curiously. The atmosphere in the room could have been more relaxed. I felt myself crumbling und
=Conrad's POVI licked my lips in satisfaction. This was perfect. Everything was going according to plan. I watched as Dorian continued to glare at me. He had no idea what I had in store for him."Well, without anything else to say, I propose closing this Court session."As my voice boomed across the room, everyone murmured in anxiety and began to troop out.I locked eyes with April, and she gave me an acid glare.I glared back at her, but my lips were pulled into a smile. I still remember the little stunt she tried pulling on me the day I asked her to have lunch with me. I didn't care what connection or relationship she had with Dorian. I wasn't going to lose her to him. Sister or not, April was mine, and I was determined to make her my bride.I hesitated to leave the courtroom and called Jonas beside me."Go and set up the meeting immediately. Tell him that I will be seeing him shortly."I saw Dorian standing at the doorway, waiting for me. His eyes were narrowed angrily, beckoning
Dorian's POV"I can't believe you accepted! I can't believe you agreed to fight another pack for the King! When were you going to tell any of us this?! Were you even planning to?!"I stood up and listened to how angry April was concerning the fact that I had accepted to fight for my father. She had been ranting ever since we got back to the room.I watched her hurl her anger at me and as she did, her eyes became red and moist. She was going to cry any minute now."How could you? What is your problem? Are you even listening to me?!""April!"I snapped back at her and she fell silent almost instantly. I stared at her and could feel the pain in her heart. She was yelling at me because she cared. She didn't want me to get hurt.For a few minutes, I didn't say anything. I didn't even know what to say. My silence drew out her tears and they flowed freely down her face."Fine! You can do this on your own! I don't even care anymore!–""April.""–I knew you were just a jerk. You don't give a f
April's POVI stood outside his door crying and banging on it with all my might. He couldn't go. I couldn't let him fight Conrad. He didn't know what he was doing."Dorian! Open the door!"I knocked frantically but the door didn't budge. He had locked me out. He was going to walk into his own grave and he didn't even care about how I felt.My tears flowed less and were replaced with a feeling of anger and resentment. I hated him. I hated what he was doing.He knew that Conrad was trying to get him out of the way but he chose to ignore everything that he had and walk into his trap. If he died, who was going to protect the pack?I stopped knocking and an idea popped into my head.Ivar! I should have thought about it before! He can get through to Dorian. He listens to him.I dried my eyes and stared at the door one more time, hoping that Dorian would open it but it stayed firmly shut."I'm not going to let you do this, Dorian. You are not thinking straight."I ran out of the palace and d
Chapter 168April's POVThe morning came early and I was up. I wasn't able to sleep a wink last night. All night, the plan kept replaying in my head. All I could think about was Dorian. I couldn't count the number of times that I had checked my phone to see if he called it left a message.The sun bathed my face with rays and I was led on impulse to check on him again. I called his line but there was no answer.I sighed and set my phone down. I buried my head in my hands and felt tears come to my eyes.Why was he ignoring us? All we wanted to do was help him out. Why did he have to..."Ring! Ring!"I lifted my head and grabbed my phone in a flash. I felt my spirits rise but they soon fell as soon as I saw the name on the screen.I answered the call and flopped on the bed."Hey, Ivar.""April! Thank God. I have been trying to reach Dorian. Has he gotten back to you yet?""No. Not yet."My reply made my heart sting with fresh pain. Dorian was pushing us away. He wanted to die. He knew th
Dorian's POV"Speak, April. What is all this about?"I saw her eyes look at me in worry and fear. She did have something to do with all of this. I had seen all her calls last night but I ignored all of them. I knew what she wanted to say but I had made up my mind. I was going to do this."I told you not to interfere! You shouldn't have! Why did you think I didn't pick up your calls!"I roared at her and she gasped in fear."And you!–"I turned my attention to Jacob and Ivar."What are you two even doing here?"Ivar struggled in a guard's grip but they outnumbered him and pinned him down."Dorian, are you blind? Can't you see what Conrad is trying to do?""I made this choice and I am going to go through with it! I don't need any of you babysitting me! Okay!"My anger spilled over and I glared daggers at everyone. I knew what Conrad was trying to do to me but I was going to take the chance. I wasn't doing this because of him. I was doing this for my father. Can't they understand that?S