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
Ethan’s POVWhat a bloody day it has been so far.The event was flagged off by an elder from my pack and most of the time, while the few people who had brief speeches to give gave them, I sat stiffly with a frown on my face. Layla had the opposite expression on her face, she was happy and smiling broadly the whole time as she sat next to me. Her father's speech was pretty short and direct but I was hardly listening. All I wondered was what Ariah was doing right now and if she would show up for the feast later on. "As you all know, this is the biggest day we have seen in a very long time, and trust me, I've been around for a long time." Alpha Campbell started his speech. "Here is a day that will bring together two very similar cities who differ a lot in various ways and I am nothing but proud that my pack and I have been able to contribute immensely to making this a success." There was a brief round of applause, then it died down as slowly as it had risen. "This night marks the end
Ariah’s POV I thought the guard had deserted me because I was so bored, but he had only gone for a drink.He came back with that cold expression on his face and a glass of cheap liquor. "You could have asked me to get something from the king's cabinet, he surely wouldn't have minded since you're so busy watching over me," I said nicely and he just stared at me. "We don't mess with the king's stuff." He said flatly and looked away. I gave up trying to talk to him and concluded that remaining in boredom was a better idea, so I decided to call it a night. I got to my feet and his alert and sharp eyes cast a look at me. "You don't have to watch me anymore, I'm going to bed now," I said but he didn't reply. I shrugged and walked past him, he followed me! I thought he just wanted to go back to the feast but no, he followed me up the stairs and I got so uncomfortable, I had to turn and address him. "What are you doing?" I asked, staring at him in confusion. "I said I'm going to bed,