Kendrick's POV I sighed as I made my way back to the palace completely exhausted at around midnight like the almighty Queen Emerald instructed. I had endeavoured to obey that as I was sure that she had Eric or some of the guards that were acting as her lackeys following me and even watching the gates for when I would return. Her goal certainly wasn't to make sure I was stronger but to make sure I was weaker due to extreme hunger and fatigue. Thankfully, I had been offered food by the family I visited last before it was too late to visit any home. How many hours would I be able to sleep before she would call me out again tomorrow? After the moments we had shared during the battle and after it, her harsh order seemed very hurtful to me and right now, it seemed like I had lost hope. All I needed now was to get into my bed and have all the rest I could before tomorrow's fight. Jenni would probably be asleep by now so I wouldn't be subjected to another round of questioning. When we g
Jenni's POV The battle left me physically exhausted, no doubt but it also left my heart extremely heavy after watching Kendrick and Audrey together for hours. I had always believed that Kendrick wouldn't betray me but after witnessing his interactions with Audrey and seeing the way their bodies moved in synchrony during the fight, a storm of doubt was stirred within me. Was I losing him? Would our marriage be overshadowed by a new and powerful attraction? He didn’t even notice me all throughout the battle except when he saved me and like we used to in the few times there had been battles in the pack, he fought side by side with Audrey. My jealousy grew like a festering wound, consuming my thoughts and poisoning my spirit even more. Kendrick was my husband and I couldn't let Audrey steal his heart which he hadn't given to me. After the battle, I went home all by myself while my husband walked home with that Audrey as if she was his right-hand woman which was so annoying.
Kendrick's POV I walked out of the bathroom fully prepared for the day, especially for the upcoming battle with Andrey. As I picked up my sword and checked its edges, I noticed Jenni sitting on the bed and staring at me as I moved. After I had threatened her before entering the bathroom yesternight, we hadn't talked. When I came out of the bathroom, she was already in bed sleeping, and when I woke up this morning, I saw her in the spot that she was in right now, sitting on the bed and staring at me. She had looked away when I opened my eyes, and I had also ignored her, but now I was starting to feel guilty. Was I too harsh on her yesterday night? It was all her fault though for bringing up her unfounded jealousy and talking about children when I was extremely stressed and sleepy. Even if I had been in a good state of mind, those two topics were still subjects that ought not to be touched. But I was the man in this relationship, so I needed to understand her, and even if I did
Audrey's POV I wouldn't deny that I felt slightly jealous when I saw Kendrick walk into the throne room holding Jenni but I quickly waved that feeling away as I had better thoughts to dwell on at the moment. Besides, he needed all the emotional support he could get as I had a big surprise planned for him. Minutes after he left the throne room, I sent Eric to go and get him to see how he was reacting to the big surprise not wanting to leave him for too long so that he would not start getting to terms with the idea. His shock was the funny reaction that I was looking forward to so I certainly didn't want to miss it. Eric walked into the throneroom with Kendrick shortly after I sent him out and I smiled brightly. "How did you like the surprise I prepared for you? It's so nice, isn't it?" I asked but he didn't reply. "You don't have to be so modest and try to act displeased. Don't you like the idea of sparing with me? I know you do." "I didn't expect this fight to be turned into
Audrey's POV The cold stone floor echoed with each step as I made my way through the corridor, my mind filled with anger and my fists clenched tightly at my sides. As I approached the doors leading to the throne room, my pulse was racing and pushing open the heavy doors, I stepped into the grandeur of the throne room. The high ceilings soared above me, adorned with intricate golden carvings. The room was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow from the crystal chandeliers hanging overhead but none of the opulence could soften my anger. The entire encounter with Kendrick had left me furious and bewildered. How dare he refuse to fight with me as I had ordered? The thought gnawed at me, igniting a fierce fire within. I couldn't shake the feeling that Kendrick's refusal was a direct challenge to my authority. Was he looking down on me, considering me too weak to be his opponent? The crimson velvet cushions of the throne beckoned on me and I sank into my seat, my anger still simmering ju
Jenni's POV That day of the fight became so long and agonizing for me once Audrey walked out of the throneroom leaving me and Jake who had been pleading. I sent different maids and guards to check on him but somehow despite how I waited for any word of Kendrick's well-being, no one brought back any report to me. Didn't they get the chance to see Kendrick and find out how he was doing? Or was it that I was really inconsequential now that I wasn't the queen of this kingdom anymore like Audrey said? It was just the day after Kendrick got imprisoned but I was already feeling highly restless. The worry kept gnawing at my heart, even overpowering my resentment towards the queen. Kendrick hadn't even eaten that morning before going to see Audrey and ended up getting sentenced to three days imprisonment without food or water. He deserved it for skipping breakfast just so he could meet with that Audrey early, but that didn't stop me from being worried. He was still my husband, regardle
Jenni's POV As consciousness slowly returned to me, I became aware of a dull ache coursing through my body. Every movement sent sharp waves of pain radiating from the wounds inflicted upon me. Blinking my eyes open, I found myself in a dimly lit room, lying upon a bed of straw.As my gaze shifted around, I caught sight of a figure hunched beside me, concern etched upon his weary face. Kendrick. Relief washed over me, mingling with the pain that still gripped my body. His presence brought a sense of comfort and strength."Jenni," he whispered, his voice filled with worry and love. "You're awake. How do you feel?"I mustered a weak smile, my voice hoarse. "I... I've felt better. But seeing you... it gives me strength."Kendrick's eyes filled with tears, which he hastily brushed away. "I'm so sorry, Jenni. I never wanted any of this for you. I should have protected you."Tears welled up in my own eyes as I reached out to touch his face, my fingers tracing the lines of worry etched upon
Jenni's POVThe pain seared through my body, each breath a reminder of the merciless lashing I had endured. I lay on our bed, propped up by pillows, while Kendrick gently tended to the wounds on my back. His touch was both soothing and painful, but I welcomed it, for it brought a sense of comfort amidst the turmoil that had engulfed us.As he delicately cleaned the wounds, I winced, biting my lip to stifle any cries of pain. Kendrick's face reflected a mixture of concern and guilt, his eyes clouded with regret. I reached out and clasped his hand, seeking to reassure him despite the anguish I felt."It's not your fault, Kendrick," I murmured, my voice filled with tenderness. "We both knew the risks we were taking, the price we might pay. I don't blame you for any of this."Kendrick's gaze met mine, his eyes searching for absolution. "But I should have protected you, Jenni. I should have found a way to keep you safe from Audrey's wrath."I squeezed his hand, my voice firm and resolute.
Epilogue Readers' POV "Uggh!" William groaned as he arched his back. He loosened his grip on Kendrick and staggered backwards. Kendrick coughed and sat up tiredly. He finally noticed that an arrow had pierced the back of William's head. There was not healing or coming back from that! Kendrick sighed in relief and looked around for the person who shot it. From the balcony on the second floor, he saw Jenni standing there with her bow drawn. She seemed to be shocked by what she had just done as she stared wide eyes at her bow. Jenni came back! That was shocking, after she suddenly left him because he went back to Audrey. Kendrick diverted his gaze back to William, who had now collapsed on the floor. He seemed to stare longingly in a particular direction as the light faded from his eyes and he went on a journey to the underworld. He looked in the direction William was looking and saw that he was staring at Audrey! Annoying prick! He just didn't want to let her
Readers' POV After they both marked each other, they shared a really nice kiss and after so many hours of talking, imagining their futures together, they finally slept. The next morning, Audrey jolted from the bed and she opened her eyes instantly. She looked around and she saw Kendrick sleeping peacefully, with his hand lying lazily on her waist. She had thought that her mating with Kendrick was a really good dream that she badly wanted to come to pass. She touched her neck and she could still feel the heat from last night. She pushed her head into the pillow and smiled. It wasn't a dream at all. It really happened. She turned her head to face Kendrick. She didn't want to wake him up, but she couldn't help touching his face, nose, hair and literally everything her hand could touch at that moment. She was touching his hair, when her eyes went to his lips and she started using her index finger to trace the little line around his lips. She was really enjoying what sh
Kendrick's POV "Find him!" My voice boomed across the kitchen and Audrey flinched as well as the rest of the sentries who scampered out after my outburst. "Hey," I said softly, reaching for Audrey, but she flinched again, breathing hard and fast, staring at the direction in which Williams had gone, eyes wide with fear and despair. "Ar--" A whimper escaped her and I hated that I could smell her fear. I hated that she trembled so much. It hadn't been long since I had made her go through the same fear. I had made those tears drop from her eyes, broken her spirit, broken her heart, and...seeing her now, with the same fear in her eyes…I hated myself for everything I had done to her. "Audrey," I said, barely able to hear my voice over my raging heart. Audrey didn't either as her sobs began in full earnest. It was like I didn't exist. She couldn't see me. Or hear me. She was scared out of her mind. "Audrey!" I roared, unable to keep my wolf at bay. Her gaze snappe
Audrey's pov Inside my room, we lay cuddled against each other, as we slept soundly. Time ticked by slowly. I soon untangled myself from Kendrick and turned to the other side of the bed while sleeping. I began to fidget little by little. My face soon morphed into a frown. I began shaking my head subtly from left to right. My body tensed and I instantly shot up. I was panting like I had just run a marathon. My eyes were dazed and unfocused as I seemed not to see everything around me. Kendrick also woke up after he heard my panting. When he looked towards me and saw my disheveled state, panic and worry settled in him. He crawled out from under the covers briskly as he came to stop before me. He saw that I was totally unfocused so he cradled my face and made me look into his eyes. He already had a vague idea of what happened. "Baby! Look at me! You are all right! I'm here! I'll always be here. He cannot hurt you!" He comforted as he rubbed my face soothingly.
Audrey's povDays later... When I saw Kendrick looking like he was half dead in Eric's hands, my heart skipped so many beats and I ran towards him. At the moment, I was just thinking one thing; Kendrick. My eyes were so focused on him. When I was just a few steps away from him, Eric stretched his hand forward, to stop me from moving any closer to Kendrick. When he did that, I looked up at him with confusion written all over my face. I didn't know why Eric stopped me from hugging Kendrick when he clearly needed my hug more than ever. "I'm still the queen, don't forget that,"I I said, and ignored his stretched out hand. I tried moving closer to him, but this time, I continued pushing his hand. I backed away from Eric and Kendrick and I left the way for him to bring Kendrick in. I walked past him and I went to the bed without answering Eric. When I got to the bed, I grabbed his hands and I placed soft kisses on both of them. I dropped the left one and I raised
Kendrick's POV After checking her, the doctor confirmed that she was okay, and slowly woke her up. When the doctor left, I tried convincing Audrey to sleep, but she continued refusing as I continued asking. She looked really tired and I knew that she was going to pass out if she didn't sleep in the next few seconds, so I didn't give up. I still continued telling her to sleep, but she wasn't having it at all. It got to a stage and I started begging her to sleep. "Please, just sleep. For me? You can do that for me, can't you?" I tried making puppy dog eyes, but it didn't work. It only made her laugh loudly at how ridiculous I looked. She hit my shoulder playfully and she told me that she was fully awake, even when her eyes were closing every second. "Of course, I can do that for you." I looked into her eyes and asked her, "what's the problem, then? I knew I was never important to you." I removed her hand from my hand and slightly pushed her away in a playful mann
Kendrick's POV After we saw that Audrey was now stabilized, we took her back to the pack house to rest properly. I stayed with her till it was late, and I went back to my room because I knew that if Audrey was awake, she would have been so angry at me spending the night in her room, regardless of the situation. I sat on my bed as I held on to my head, memories of what had happened earlier replaying in my head again. I screamed in anger as I threw my pillow to the floor, as that scene kept replaying in my head. I dragged the duvet off the bed and started ripping it with my bare hands, imagining it to be the leader of the rogues. Still angry, I went to the vase on the table, picked it and started smashing it against the wall and while I did that, I imagined it to be the leader’s head. To continue, I started kicking against the wall angrily, while I screamed in anger and pain. I fell to the ground as I punched against it in anger, hatred and betrayal. I kept on seei
Audrey's pov After everything, I started hearing some noises outside. It sounded like a fight was going on, or about to start. That caught my attention, as I stormed out to check. Oh no! Just like I thought, a fight was really going on, but it was just a fight, it was more like a war. The rogue pack that we fought with recently were back, and they seemed like they were in for a big one. The leader stood in front of them, and glared at me. Slowly, I backed away out of fear and suddenly felt someone's hand around mine. I flinched, and was about moving away when I saw that it was Kendrick;he stood beside me in defense, with his eyes fixed on the rogues pack. "Why are you here? Aren't you scared to be back here?" Eric shouted from the back of us, and I glanced back to see the whole pack members assembled behind us. The leader chuckled inwardly, before the dirty frown settled on his face again. "We are not here for any of you, we are here for him," he said, po
Maria shook her head as she began to speak frantically. "I'm sorry my lady... I mixed up the plates... it's my fault, I got confused." The stupid girl couldn't do a job properly and almost got me killed. The poison wasn't meant to kill anyway, a good thing since I ended up talk it. It was meant to weaken and cause Aubrey pain, so she wouldn't be able to keep seducing my husband and acting all mighty for days. I deepened me elbow and I saw her wince in pain. "So you tried to kill me?" I said. "No,.. no.. my lady. I would never do that... It was a mistake!" Maria was hysteric, pleading with all that she had, she was crying already, her eyes red. "You know what would happen if I say that you were the one who poisoned the food right? Because in a way you did" Maria nodded now full on bawling, she clasped her fingers over her mouth to prevent her cries from echoing. "Please my lady.. " "Kendrick will kill you for touching me, his wife." I said again because I needed to instill fear i