Kendrick's POV I didn't know what to say when Audrey announced that she would spar with me. I felt glad to have an excuse to hit her but scared that she might be setting me up to be punished, insulted that she could think I was weak and even more insulted that she felt that she was stronger than me. I would admit that she was really strong, stronger than Jenni and most male werewolves I knew but still she wasn't stronger than me. How dare she assume that she was? That was very demeaning. It was interesting that she cared if I was weak or strong though. I thought that she would want me to die but after she saved my life this morning... I had no idea why she wanted to keep that a secret though. It would give her more love from the people. Even if they now respected her because she defended the pack, they were still scared by her and it would probably take a lot more before they would genuinely love her. But that was all far from the main point presently. The main point was tha
Kendrick's POV My eyes narrowed as I heard Audrey announce that I had to be flogged and I swiftly turned in the direction of her voice. I felt deeply hurt as if she betrayed me but she actually did nothing to me. I was just the one who was being too wishful and optimistic in a hopeless situation like this. "Please Audrey, you can't do this after the battle earlier today," Jake protested. "One stroke for Jake too." "Queen Emerald," I began, swallowing my bitterness to speak as I couldn't let Jake be punished simply because he wanted to defend me. "Jake didn't do anything and even if he has provoked you, please don't forget that he had severe injuries from the battle and needs to recover quickly so he can aid you." "How dare you try to plead for someone else when you are also in the wrong?" she snapped. "One more stroke for his impudence!" As she spoke, it felt like an arrow was shot straight through my heart. I couldn't believe that I had been so happy and thought that she w
Audrey's POV I watched with a heavy heart as Kendrick lay there on the ground crumpled and in pain. That was usual with whenever he was given the punishment of flogging but today however, he lay there a little longer than usual and it was slightly worrying. His behavior since we met after resting from the battle had been weird also and I didn't know what to think. In the throneroom, he had been strangely in a good mood and even light-heartedly challenged me multiple times. One would think that with how much I emphasized on respect, I would be angry about that but surprisingly, I liked it. I liked his facial expressions while he tried to change my mind on different issues and continually failed. When he finally left the throneroom, I couldn't stay there for too long before I had the desire to see him again. It was crazy, I knew it but I still wanted to do it anyway. But when I finally saw him, he was saying something that made me feel slightly angry. Okay, maybe it wasn't just
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