NOAH "Hurry up, why don't you?" I called after my best friend who was slowly lagging behind. This was the third time I had to hang back to call to him and wait till he caught up with me. " Why are you so slow?""I think the question should be.." Ethan was panting. I could clearly hear his wolf begging for some rest. "..Why are you so fast?""Aren't you a werewolf?" Ethan was still a good distance from where I was. "So what's your yapping about?""It's not my fault I'm not used to running and the likes." Ethan finally caught up me. His chest was heaving and he had to bend his hands on his knees, just so he could catch his breath.Pathetic. I murmured underneath."And I'm the one who likes running around then?" I gave him a half glare."Of course." Ethan stood straight, looking a bit better than he was five minutes ago. His hair was wet and hid body was slick with sweat but aside that, he was good to go. " You're always running away from one problem or the other. You do have to keep fi
I hated this injury. In the past few days its succeeded in making my life miserable. Even more miserable than Noah and that was saying something. I'd been bedridden for days and was constantly slipping in and out of consciousness. Some days I'd wake up with a throbbing head, other days, I'd wake up with a swollen leg. It was always one thing or the other and honestly I was getting tired of it.If a wolf scratch was like this, what it would be like if they had bitten me instead?"It would be worse, your highness." The voice beside me brought me back to reality. "Way more worse.""I'm sorry, did I say that out loud?" I turned to the guard escorting me. We were in the hallway that winded down to the throne room. " I didn't mean to. I was just thinking to myself.""Don't embarrass me your majesty." He gave a polite smile." I'd have said it either way, maybe it would ease your pain a little.""Thank you." I leaned on my cane and pressed my body forward, putting one foot in front of the oth
"Get out.""What?" Mum blinked twice, clearly taken aback. " What did you say? I'm not sure I heard you….""Get. Out." I pronounced each word as slowly as I could, none of them missing the anger I'd injected into them. She wasn't expecting it because the incredulous look on her face wasn't one I'd be forgetting anytime soon."Bailey?" She called out to me, unsure. She knew she'd struck a chord and right now she was dangling on life support. " You don't really mean that do you?""I do." I grit my teeth. "If you're just going to be on about how Noah is this and that maybe you should leave. You can come back when he's around. He should be back in a couple of days time. ""Bailey dear." Dad's voice was as soft as the pillows in my room. " Calm down, I'm sure you don't mean it.""I do, dad." I turned to him, but my words were pointed at my mum. " I want a mother not someone who's obsessed with being royalty.""Don't speak about me in that tone young lady!" Mum spat, her face twisting into
"It All started when his mother left." That definitely piqued my interest. "Noah's home wasn't exactly perfect, nor was it peaceful."Pfft." I scoffed. That didn't justify anything. " I don't know if you overheard me and my mum, but I don't think that's a valid excuse.""It's not." A solemn expression fell on Ethan's face. He stared ahead, like he was gazing at something only he could see. " If you knew his parents you'd understand what I mean.""And you do?" I didn't know when it slipped out. If it wasn't so laced with sarcasm, I wouldn't have been bothered. But it was, and Ethan picked up on it too. " I'm sorry, it's just..""I get it." He cut me off, gently. " Everyone thinks he's such a monster, no one wants to see things from his point of view. It's sad honestly, but I was there with him and I understand him..I'm not saying he's right but it's not entirely his fault.""That's going to take me a long time to believe." I whistled and Ethan let out a small laugh. " He'll have to…."
I woke up startled, air rushing up my lungs. My chest was tight and breathing oxygen in and out felt like a chore. My eyes flew open but everywhere was shrouded in darkness. It took me a while to realize a sack was actually over my head, shielding my face from the rest of the world. My gag was no longer on, so that was some sort of relief."Hey!" I yelled to no one in particular, the sack moving along with my head. "Hey! Is anyone there?"I tried to move my hands and realized I was tied to a chair, a metal one at that, cold seeping into my skin. Another quick survey showed my legs were also bound to the metal chair and I muffled a scream, frustration coursing through my veins.Where the hell was I? I wondered. A dull ache pulsed at the back of my head and I winced, unable to touch it. Then it all came rushing back. The muffles at the front of my door, the two guys and poof, me falling unconscious. That didn't explain how I got here though. I hadn't a faintest clue where here was."Hel
A groan slid past my lips as I turned, pulling a good amount of the duvet with me. My head was heavy despite the fact that I was resting on two giant, super soft and cozy pillows. I felt three gentle taps on my head and I moaned, pain coursing through my body.The amount of pain I'd felt in the last week and more, I was certain I hadn't felt that much pain in my life. Even when I tripped the first time on my bicycle, or when I was burned during one of my big kitchen experiment, the pain never lingered. In a couple of hours or days, I was fine again. But now, headaches were like oxygen and I'd even used a cane to limp, something my father hadn't even attempted yet.Another three taps came again, these ones a bit louder than the first three. They left a dull ache in my head I was sure one of the concoctions Madame Alexis left on my bedside table would cure. But right now, the distance between me and my bedside table could be compared to the Pacific ocean and more."You'll get through th
NOAH I didn't spare Bailey a second glance as I marched out of her room. It felt good to be honest, finally beating her at something and watching her break a bit. If someone had told me that The Bailey Gayle was capable of crying, I'd have called that person a liar. But seeing sadness in her eyes and how her entire demeanor changed was weirdly satisfying. In one swift motion, I was out of her room and on the hallway, en route to my study. There were some details I needed to finalize. "Noah! I mean, your highness!" I heard someone call behind me. I didn't stop, instead I increased my steps. If it was important, whoever he or she was, would run. " Your majesty, please wait.""If it's important, you'd do the needful to catch up." I had no idea if it had anything to do with Bailey but I was feeling unstoppable at the moment. Untouchable even. It felt like I was out of this world and I wasn't ready to come down yet. " Or you're not that aged are you now?"" You make good jokes, your maje
"Just the lady we've been waiting for." Noah announced the moment the double doors were pushed open to let me in. Two guards stood at attention, flunking both sides. Their faces held no expression, lips are eyes trained to depict emptiness. Just like their sould were, I presumed. "Come in, come in."A sigh escaped my lips as I took the first step into the dining area. Chefs and cooks were in a line behind Noah, probably awaiting my arrived. Eric and Ethan sat away from each other whilst throwing one another murderous gazes and Noah, Noah sat at his usual seat, a big smile on his face. Immediately I stepped in, two new guards replaced the ones that came in with me. It had been like that since I woke up to a new day this morning. Every hour, a new guard would replace the one by my side.When I'd woken up this morning, four guards were at my door; two inside my room and the other outside. By the time I was ready for breakfast, I was already seeing new faces. On my way to the dining room,
"Attention everyone." I smiled giddily as Noah knocked on a champagne glass continuously with a spoon. " I would like to make a toast."Amidst the chatter of people that had died down, my hand found Noah's and the reassuring squeeze he gave made me smile all the more. " After the defeat of the rogues and my cousin that tried to invade the kingdom, my wife and I have good news to share with you, we're expecting a baby."The cheer that erupted from the crowd was massive. From the corner of my eyes at the buffet table, I watched dad wipe off a tear from his eyes. Mum on the other hand couldn't stop mouthing I'm going to be a grandma soon. "On this note, eat, drink and make merry. " Another round of applause followed Noah as he settled back down into his seat next to me. An upbeat tune filled the air as the musicians just at the corner of the stage began to play. What was a wedding with some music, right?"I know I'm not the only one who's been dying to ask this." Mother chipped in. "Wh
I was stunned, stuck in between anger and frustration at his tone. How could he even mutter that, like he didn't just snap my cousin's neck into half."You bastard!" I couldn't stop the tears from falling at this point. " How dare you ..""I told you. " His smile was smug. "She's nothing to me, nothing but a pawn that has served its purpose and she had to go. You're the one I'm doing this for. Join me, be my rogue queen and let's rule this kingdom together."" I…" whatever insults I was about to rain on Eric were cut short by the sound of a horn blaring loudly. It was ear deafening and for a moment after it had passed I could still hear my ears ring. I glanced at Eric and the fury on his face could only mean two things, either he was still mad at me or the horn signified the start of something else. Something neither Eric and I were ready to face. Before I could get any more words out,the sound of stomping feet reached my ears. It didn't take any more time for the owner to come; a rog
The last thing I wanted was to listen to this fool ramble on, but at this point I liked to think the urge to satisfy my curiosity was way more important than anything else."It was a fine cold night." He started in something I only assumed to be his imitation of a poetic voice. To be honest, he actually sounded like a croaking frog on a broken record. " I was pondering on ….""Would you get to the point?" I cut him off. "The faster we talk, the quicker I don't get to hear your annoying voice anymore.""Well someone's in a bad mood." Eric smiled, his huge grin giving him a creepy look. " I wouldn't say I blame you though, Given the pathetic position you're in …""Just get to it!" I snapped, cutting him off. His smile melted into a look of annoyance qnf it was my turn to smile now. " We don't have all day.""Fine." He was less enthusiastic than in the beginning. " I've always had one goal in my life, for a long time and that has been to bring dear Noah down. But you see, my plan had alw
The plink plink sound of water leaking out from somewhere was the first sound I registered when I regained consciousness. Slowly, I peeled my eyes open and it was weird; I felt not an ounce of pain as I wearily stared at my surroundings. Usually, the mere thought of even opening my eyes came with an intense amount of pain. So why then didn't I……"Arghhhhh." I had no idea about how long I was passed out for, but the fact that I could yell so loudly was strange, given that I was supposed to be weak and we'll honestly, dead or halfway dead. " What the hell? What's going on?"It was no surprise that no one else could answer the many questions I had so I decided to take matters into my own hands by taking a quick survey of my surroundings, not like I had so much of a choice anyway. High grey walls stared back at me. From the corner of my eyes I could make out a tiny hole in the ceiling, that's where the leak was coming from. Green moss lined the floors and a pungent smell hit my nose. I wa
I wasn't quite sure what exactly had triggered the excruciating pain in my head, if it was seeing Noah struggling and all tangled up in a net trap or perhaps Eric walking in like he owned the forest alongside the kingdom. I never liked Eric and always thought he was up to some kind of shady business and now he'd proved it. Or perhaps it was even Nita who had shockingly appeared beside this monster or maybe I was just hallucinating after being tortured and unconscious for a good amount of time in this forest. Either way the pain in my head wasn't relieving for one bit and the way the new pair of people droned on, seemed to amplify the hurt in my head."That's Queen Nita to you now." She smirked. " Right Alpha Eric?"I hadn't heard right. There was no way I'd just heard what Nita had just said, or maybe the pain in my head was jugging up my ability to understand sentences now. Yeah, that had to be it."Yes, my Queen." I fought the urge to barf at Eric's words. Underneath that will to vo
NOAH'S POV The atmosphere was tense, the air in the room stuffy. The temperature was humid too and the feel of the damp slimy liquid snaking down my back only worsened my mood. I spun to the large window in the room and realized it was open. It was, so why was I feeling like I'd been dropped right in the middle of a volcano that was just about to erupt. I tore my gaze away from the window and onto the men that stood with me in the throne room, each one a good difference from the others. They were all at alert, each one ready and avoiding my gaze but I couldn't see a trace of the humidity I was feeling. "Was I the only one suffering this predicament?"Any news yet?" The question slid past my lips immediately but I didn't regret it. "Have you found anything else?""Asides the reports that were brought in earlier." The guard who spoke up paused after that. If it was for suspense or he was simply reading the room, I wasn't quite sure. There was one thing I was sure about though, if h
I stood rooted to my spot, the height of the doors towering over me. I'd been here lots of times but somehow, and strangely today and at this moment, I didn't want to go in. I didn't even want to be anywhere near here in the first place. But was it necessary? Yes, highly important even. Did I have another alternative? Obviously yes. Did I really have to inform Noah this time? Not really, but I wasn't too keen on doing this all wrong. I shook my head of the many thoughts and questions that were trying to creep in. It wouldn't take long before they would all swarm me and keep me disoriented for the rest of the day. It was a surprise why Noah hadn't called me out for loitering about his front door for a while now because I was very sure he could feel and hear me, thanks to his heightened werewolf senses. Why he was quiet about it though, I had no idea."I thought you didn't want to come in." He let out immediately the door creaked open. His back was turned to me but I couldn't help but f
I didn't see that coming. I knew yelling and pushing all of his buttons would definitely get a reaction out of him but I wasn't expecting what he just did in a million years. And you know what was worse, I actually let him go further with it. The moment his lips brushed with mine, I should have kicked against it. I should have hit him square in the jaw and given him a kick in the groin. Even biting down hard on his lips wouldn't have been bad. Instead I let him in, and shamelessly let my eyelids flutter shut while I was at it too. He definitely wasn't expecting it, the soft gasp he let out was proof enough. I knew that I knew so little about Noah, but never in a million universes did my mind going to him being a good kisser. Scratch that, an excellent one.The way his lips seemed to move over mine definitely needed to be studied. It was smooth and silky and I found myself aching for even more pleasure his tongue seemed to be giving. With each time our lips collided, something shifted
NOAH'S POV "I have done all you've asked of me, my King." I was barely listening to the man in front of me. I knew he was speaking, hell, I could see his lips work up and down but for the life of me, I just couldn't register one word he was saying. " The borders have been checked and are all under twenty four hours surveillance.""I don't need to listen to you. Any of this." Bailey. Her words buzzed in my ear. It'd been ringing for so long that if I wasn't careful, I was sure I wouldn't be able to recognize my own voice or my wolf's either."Are you listening to me, Sire?" He caught my attention for a while. I nodded and gave a wave of my hand, an obvious gesture that he should go on with whatever it was he was rambling about." There's no way anyone would be able to sneak in. An army of rogues invading, is highly unlikely at this point. Impossible, even."That amount of security and still Bailey escaped, to only the goddess knows where. Where the hell was she? She had been gone f