Ariah’s POVThe next day, I woke up with a grim look on my face. I had to wear a mask again to conceal how hurt I was by the recent developments. Countless times I wondered what would become of me, I was scared that a time would come when Ethan wouldn't have any use for me and I might and that would be heartbreaking for me. Not just because I would have to leave the pack, but because I would lose Ethan forever and I couldn't imagine anything worse than that at the moment. "What would you do if it were to happen then?" Leia asked as I started getting ready for the day. I looked out of my window, but I couldn't find the sun. The long stretch of the sky was a continuous cluster of gray, ominous clouds that gave the day a gloomy look. "I don't know what I would do, Leia, I'd have to leave. Maybe I'll get kidnapped again or something." I replied grimly. "That's a hell of a plan." She said sarcastically. "I know," I remarked flatly. "You don't have to rub the uncertainty of my future
Ethan’s POVWith everyone else in the pack busy, I had a plan for Ariah and me, no one would even notice that we were gone.This was a special place I had discovered a long time ago and no one else knew about it, not even Lowell. It was a spot I used as a relaxation center and everything about it was just perfect. Ariah was the first person I was taking there and I wanted her to be the only one in fact, I also wondered what it would be like to finally share this spot with someone very special. I led her out of my study and we walked to the garage, the pack house had never been this empty before, and truthfully it felt awkward. I drove while she just rested back on the passenger's seat. I could tell that a lot was on her mind but I didn't push it now, she could tell me all about it when we got there. "First, we'll have breakfast at a fancy place I know, then we'll go somewhere special," I said and her dull eyes lit up and became enthusiastic. "Special? Where?" She asked curiously.
Layla’s POVWhen you want something, you have to go get it yourself.That was what I had learned over these past few years. Regardless of my father's status, I buried the habit of asking for things I couldn't get easily. My father was the Alpha of the strongest pack in the werewolf city, but that didn't stop me from getting bullied in school when I was younger. It didn't stop the elders in the pack and teachers at school from nitpicking at every single thing I did just because I have to be perfect because I'm the fucking princess. Neither did it stop others from calling me names which shattered my heart and confidence into pieces. My father always thought I had everything I wanted, but that wasn't the case, I grew up as a lonely child. Surrounded by my maids and personal bodyguards and tutors who were supposed to inculcate the values of a proper woman and princess into me, to hell with them! I never had any real friends, the few fake friends I had been vulnerable to accept only want
Ariah’s POV It was the day of the coronation.I looked at the sky, there was no hint of rain or bad stormy weather as I had prayed for. I sighed and crawled under my blanket again and my mind drifted right back to the previous day. Ethan was a passionate lover and there was nothing I regretted more than seeing him getting married to another woman. He was the biggest loss of my life but he kept reassuring me that our relationship would not be dented. The rain had drenched us in its light downpour, but that didn't stop Ethan from kissing every part of my body and undressing me. "We'll catch a cold if we make love in the rain." He said as I slowly undid the buttons of his shirt. "That all depends on how much you value the event tomorrow," I said and looked into his eyes. "It's your choice, do you mind arriving at your engagement sick?" I asked. He smiled and said, "I value you more than any bloody event." Now that I lay in my bed, I became worried that he was going to be sick. I was
Ariah’s POVI already figured out what Lowell was trying to do and I truly appreciated him for it.The guards at the door bowed to him as we walked out of the pack house and we walked on for a while without saying anything. Leia had been right about the sky, I hate to admit it, the sun wasn't scorching, it was friendly. As though its heat waves were just caressing over the skin of the earth, the sky was perfect and the day was also perfect for the most imperfect event of my life. "The beautiful weather we have this morning, I didn't think it would be this good." He said finally. "I didn't want it to be," I mumbled and he burst out in laughter that startled me. "You heard what I said?" I asked with wide eyes. "Yes, you're a terrible whisperer." He replied calmly. "You know, you have every reason to feel that way and I would too if I were in your position." "What about now? Don't you feel bad for me?" I asked. He thrust his hands into his pockets, "Oh I do, I fucking do, but the
Ethan’s POVI sat in my study for the better half of the day, just smoking cigarettes and thinking of Ariah.Every muscle in my body was aching for her, I wanted to go to her, I already knew what sort of mood she was in, but I couldn't. I had a feeling that if I looked at Ariah before the event, I might just have a desperate urge to call the whole thing off. I ate nothing, I was too anxious to eat, and eating only made me want to eat more and more. The door of my study was locked and I didn't even keep track of time anymore. A knock suddenly sounded on the door, startling me as I stubbed out another cigarette. "It's Lowell, might want to open up, big man," Lowell said cheerfully. I grunted and dragged myself to my feet, that same way I strolled and unlocked the door. A second later, he barged in, grinning from ear to ear, "It's almost time, Ethan, The big guests have already started arriving from both cities!" He said hysterically with excitement glowing in his eyes. "This is
Ariah’s POVThe only person I had left and could talk to was Leia.I didn't know how it would feel to watch both of them when the time came for the treaty to be sealed or if I could even handle it. I knew it would be very painful and I could just be the only one out of about a hundred people there with a gloomy expression on my face. It would make me look even more odd amongst them and it was just then another thought struck me and it frightened the hell out of me. If this treaty was so important, then it meant that all important members of both cities which included the Alphas of the werewolf city and Lycan kings of the Lycan city would be present. So how was I just figuring out now, that without a doubt, Alpha James will be there? It would be crazy of me to even think of stepping a foot there and taking the risk of him finding me there, I didn't need to be told that it would not be pretty. I stayed in my room, just staring out of the window in the direction of the hall. The sky wa
Ethan’s POVI couldn't blame Ariah for not showing up, but I was still surprised she didn't. Lowell came behind me, he must have noticed what I did too and he said, "In her defense, it would have been too difficult to take, did I tell you we had a chat earlier today?" I looked at him, "You did? When was that and what did you talk about?" I asked. "That was when you were locked up in your study like a hibernating animal, we went for a walk. And what else do you think we talked about apart from you and the pack and Layla? From what I can say, she's more than heartbroken, I think it was the best decision for her not to come." Lowell replied, his eyes as serious as ever. I sighed, my eyebrows gathering in a worried look, "I'm afraid she might hurt herself or something." "Hey! It's the man himself, really proud of you this time, Ethan." An elderly Lycan king said and slapped me on the shoulder as he walked past. I nodded and flashed a brief and emotionless smile at him. "I