AroraTwo weeks after our mating ceremony, we returned home. Mom was very happy to see us, and I could see that she really wanted to know if I was pregnant. I reminded her that it was far too soon to know, and the conversation shifted to everything we did and saw.We spent the afternoon settling back in and, in the evening, Bernard escorted me and my mother to the castle for dinner. The entire family was happy to see us, and were excited to hear about our trip. I told them about the pixies and how incredible it was to stand where the warrior queen trained as well as in what disrepair the old rogue castle was.Noah was making notes of everything and commented that he would like to restore the old rogue castle. It was an important part of our history, and he wanted it to always remain that way. Emily was excited about the restoration and offered to take charge of the project.All in all, it had been an amazing two weeks, but now we were back home and the reality of my new position sudde
AroraI loved my new position in life. Not because of the luxury I suddenly had, but because of the power to change things. The winter finally turned to spring and with it came our huge spring festival. I found that I actually enjoyed helping Emily with the arrangements.All around us flowers were blooming as we stepped into a new season. Emily was pregnant and beginning to show, and I wondered if I wanted to get pregnant after seeing how frustrated she was getting. For one, she couldn’t shift while she was pregnant because it would be too dangerous for the baby. But mostly, she was agitated because everyone but me was treating her as if she was a porcelain doll.“I know I’m carrying the future heir, Noah! Now let me be.” She sighed as she walked into her office and I looked up just in time to see her rolling her eyes.“Is it so wrong of me to walk you to your office? Tell her, Arora.” Noah frowned as he stood beside Emily with his hands on his hips.“Oh, no. You two aren’t dragging m
AroraThe tension tore the family in two. Their family had always been so close. We had just repaired what was broken in the kingdom and now new drama had reared its ugly head. The worst of it all was that there was the very real possibility that we would be leaving the home I had known my entire life.We had to. If Bernard was going to be the next king, we would have to live in the castle. My heart was broken. All our hearts were broken after losing such beloved rulers so abruptly. Bernard didn’t have to answer my question. I could see it in his eyes.“No.” He sighed, seeming defeated.“Then I guess there is only one thing left to ask. Do you want to be king?” I was hoping and praying he would say no. I was wishing that our beloved king and queen were still alive. That we could turn back time and this entire nightmare would be over.“No, but it seems I will have no other choice. I’m sorry, my love.” His eyes filled with tears and I closed the gap between us. They were a tight family
AroraI had a lot to get used to in the beginning. For instance, I now had the entire gamma guard protecting me. Before, I only had a couple of royal warriors watching over me wherever I went. I also had new enemies. Or at least, one enemy. The princess who believed she should be queen.I could feel her eyes on me every day. I never saw her, but I knew she was there. I felt her presence wherever I went. I didn’t want to say anything to Bernard and since the gamma guards didn’t say anything, I let it go. The young woman thought she was going to be queen, and it was taken from her. If I were in her position, I would probably also skulk around the passages.She was in the shadows somewhere, but she was no real threat to me.IrinaI didn’t blame my family, or my cousin for stealing my throne. I blamed that woman. Ever since her traitorous heart showed up, everything has changed. My brother and sister-in-law did what she asked without question. They were weak. That was why I had to get rid
AroraI cried out in pain in the middle of the night three weeks after announcing that I was pregnant. The doctor didn’t have to tell me that I had lost the pup. I didn’t know how I knew, but I knew, and I also suspected that Irina had something to do with it.The entire kingdom mourned the loss of the pup with us, but I tried to get over it as fast as humanly possible. It was sad, but I comforted myself by imagining Bernard and me holding our baby. I wanted to try again as soon as the doctors would allow it.It saddened me too much to think about our loss, so I tried to focus on the future. I was standing at the window in the library after lunch when I heard footsteps coming.“Your majesty, what a surprise finding you here?” Irina smirked, but I could see in her eyes she hadn’t expected to find me there.“It is such a lovely view of the city from here. How are you doing, Irina?” Mother always taught me that you catch more flies with honey.“I guess, I should be the one asking you tha
AroraI wasn’t sure how I would prove to the family that Irina was so cruel. I wasn’t even sure if I completely believed it myself, but all the evidence in my mind pointed to her.“Are you okay?” Bernard’s arms circled around my waist, and he pulled me closer, kissing me on the cheek as I sighed. I had been standing in front of my full-length mirror for a while. Seeing myself, but not really seeing anything.“I’m okay under the circumstances.” I turned around in his arms, resting my arms around his neck. “I’m still sad, but every day is getting easier.” I smiled.“Have I told you lately what an amazing woman you are and how blessed I am to have you in my life?” He tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear and pulled me a little closer.“Not yet.” I grinned.“I’m serious. Everything you’ve done to help my family, and the way you have taken over as queen. You amaze me every day of my life. I love you so much.” His lips touched mine and before long, we were right back in bed. Sadly, whe
Arora“She planned this.” My voice was soft, but one of two of them heard me. “Irina planned this!” I shouted. “My omega followed her today and found the room. Irina wants all of you to think that I’m the traitor so she can get rid of me. Bernard, you have to believe me.”“His Majesty, don’t have to believe one word that comes out of your traitorous mouth!” Irina shouted from the back. “Your father was a traitor, and so are you!” She hissed and I could feel the atmosphere turning.“We need to hear from the omega, Bernard.” Princess Helena spoke up, and I breathed a sigh of relief. The omega was dragged up the stairs and I could see in her eyes that this wasn’t going to go my way. She kept looking at Irina and I wondered what happened in the short time we were apart. What could Irina have done? She was right there with me the entire time.“Please tell us what happened this morning.” Princess Helena took the lead.“I … Please, don’t make me do this.” The omegas eyes filled with tears as
BernardNone of this made any sense. Unless I didn’t know Arora as well as I thought I did, but I couldn’t imagine her doing the kinds of things Irina had accused her of. We found notes in the room that referred to even worse actions and I didn’t want to even think about it.I was torn between what I thought I knew and what possibilities there were. Was Arora a cruel and evil person who took revenge on our family or was she the kind heart that helped us to save our family from total ruin? Not that I thought the pack would ever revolt against us.I sat back in my office chair, not wanting to go to our room and not wanting to face my family. There were still far too many unanswered questions and I wanted to be able to answer at least some of them when I faced them again. The most prominent would probably be if I was going to put Arora on trial.“What are you doing here alone, cousin?” Irina wondered in my office and I sighed deeply. She was the last person I wanted to deal with right no