Olivia BanksLost! I’d gotten fucking lost! It was just like that dead bitch to get in my head and ruin things so that I couldn't think straight!“Shit,” I gasped, feeling my body go rigid as I froze mid-stride, flexing my ears to pick up the mutter of conversation that seemed to be coming from right ahead of me. Nikolai’s men in the forest? Blasted heavens! How the fuck was I supposed to get out of here without arousing suspicion?“Curse you, Raya!” I swore under my breath, backtracking and slamming my back up against a tree just in time to feel the air change as some of the men rode past on horses, their dark armor galloping as they waved their light torches this way and that, thankfully never looking backward.Just how many men had the prince ordered for the search? I could feel the trickle of sweat as it pinched my armpit and trickled down my spine, before I realized I was shaking. Nervous.I clamped a hand across my mouth to stifle the scream that would have come out when I hear
Raya BanksThe first thing I felt when I opened my eyes was pain, red hot, indescribable pain.Where the hell was I? “Ugh,” I groaned, screwing my eyes open and gritting my teeth to fall flat on my stomach, feeling the sizzle in my legs burn as they healed. I didn't remember being able to recover this fast, what was happening to me? I felt my teeth shift to the edge as the cold wind shuffled what sounded like trees around me so that I craned my head to squint at the grey darkness around me.It must be just past midnight because the night owls had stopped hooting and my ears filled with the sound of crickets singing instead. I remembered hiding out in the music room after Nikolai and I had kissed.I touched my cold fingers to my lips, tasting the forest dirt and blushing instead at the memory before realization seeped through my pores.I get my eyes to snap open when the distant voices of what sounded like a lot of men drifted to my ears and I crawled an inch on the soil, closing my
NikolaiI felt my eyebrows squeeze together in disbelief as I leaned forward, feeling the side of my leg brush against her arm and inhaling sharply at the bolt of desire that shot through my body.“Fuck Nikolai, you need to focus!” I swore inwardly, unable to tear my leg away as electricity sizzled where we touched.“What the hell do you mean you can't remember?” Igor’s brash voice beat me to the question before could ask and I turned my head to see that he was staring at me instead of Raya, his gaze slipping the second I met his.I resisted the urge to curl my lips around my teeth impatiently, following Raya’s gaze instead to see that she was staring absently at a spot above the doorway.There was something about the way she was acting that had been off, a slight deliberation to her actions that she didn't have before.I couldn't help but feel like Raya was no longer the innocent, carefree maiden that had run into my arms all that time ago at the Burning City Castle.She was guarded,
Nikolai“Alpha Tophas?” I gasped, barking out a harsh laugh when the blonde man nodded as I turned paths to waltz into the throne room instead, feeling anxiety claw inside me before digging my heels into the stone.“Says he wants a civil discussion.” Igor rasped and it was obvious he didn't believe it same as me.What the hell was he thinking? It was one scary thing about my brother, the way I could never seem to figure him out.“This should be interesting,” Igor chuckled humorlessly and I grunted.“Bring them in!” I ordered, inhaling a deep breath and crossing my arms behind my back just in time for the double doors to fly open as the two men trotted down the winding red carpet until they were standing almost below the dias where I was waiting, only a few feet between us.“What do you want old dog, make it quick, I have business to attend to,” I hissed coldly, crossing my arms solidly over my chest to glare back at the impeccably dressed man and his bulldog-looking guard.“I'm sure y
OLIVIA BURNSHe had thrown me out! I couldn't believe the nerve of the dark prince!“Assholes! All of them!” I screamed into my dress as I sat huddled in the long column of the garden sculptures, feeling my breaths rise and fall harshly as I struggled not to cry too loudly.I couldn't bear to go back to my room! Not just yet, when the memory of what Nikolai had done, how Raya had made him chase me away in front of everyone, like some common dingbat slut!How the fuck was I supposed to show my face in public after that! I felt the gnawing in my chest grow as my shoulders were wracked with uncontrollable sobs.It was what I got for going soft and not finishing that bitch off when I had the chance!“Raya freaking Banks,” I growled bitterly, fisting the silk of my gown in my palms until the limb grew numb, and heavy before I breathed slowly through my nose, trying to calm down, think through the facts the way my mother would have.Either I was half-crazy and headed for the city’s loony bi
RAYA BANKSMy heart still hammered loudly in my ribs as I slammed the door shut behind me, slapping my back on the cool bronze of the door and struggling to breathe through my nose.The whirl of thoughts in my head was threatening to spiral out of control and I placed my hands on my temples to soothe the painful throb there.What to do? What to freaking do?The image of the redhead’s face flashed in my mind just as she raised the rock to bash me in the back. “The mirror, I need a mirror!” I gasped, feeling for the plastic buttons on my gown as I snapped open my dress, feeling goosebumps rise on my arm as I stared at the woman in the mirror, seeing the way I had paused with my hands still curved around the buttons, the top of my dress gaping open to reveal the bandages stained with old blood.I pressed a hand to my sides, marveling when I realized I didn't feel any pain, the bandages were useless now.I unwrapped the fabric, my eyes never leaving my frightened face in the mirror as I
Alpha Toph“I'll do it,” Olivia Burns’ hollowed whisper sounded like music in my ears as I struggled to maintain the unconcerned look on my face, like we weren't running out of bloody time and sense.Blasted heavens!“Which way to Raya’s chambers?” I pressed, reaching out a hand to draw her up to her feet and knowing it was the right call to act as gentlemanly as I could when she gave me an appreciative smile, gathering her revealing silk dress about herself.Had she always dressed so provocatively when she had been at the Burning City Castle?I couldn't remember, struggling to tramp down on the desire that rose in my groin and following closely behind her as she took a different path around the high towers of the exquisitely decorated stone buildings.I felt a pang of longing burn in my chest when I thought back to how my father had willed the most beautiful of the two cities after the main city to his favorite son, my brother Nikolai, leaving me with bricks and scraps that I had to
RAYA BANKSI slammed my hand into my chest to keep my heart from bursting, stilling the shake in my hands as I gazed out over the window again as the doorknob rattled harder.“Oh God, oh god!” I whispered to myself, trying not to cry as my hands shook on the glass pane before I pushed it out, feeling a wave of vertigo hit before I brought my head back into the room, feeling fuzzy.I wrung open the huge dresser, raking my eyes through the shadow of clothes hung neatly on the railing and backing away to shake my head.What was I thinking? If I hid in the closet like an idiot, it was the first place Alpha Toph was sure to search, I couldn't do this, no, not there! I swung round to face the room again, noting, how the high gold bed was slightly ruffled and how the thumping at the door had gotten louder, followed by the creak of the bronze whining underneath, giving. “Shit,” I whispered, diving under the bed and scraping my cheek on the floorboard just I heard the crack of the door swingi
Raya BanksI hadn't stopped glancing anxiously through the wide carriage windows after we left until my breath caught in my throat when I saw the looming buildings of the castle up ahead and leaned back in my seat, suddenly feeling my pulse jump.“It's okay Raya, I'm here...I won't let anyone hurt you.” Nikolai growled and I felt something warm unravel inside me at the possessive tone of his voice.I nodded, searching his stormy gray eyes once more before looking out the window again at the wet plains of the fields off to the sides.And Olivia? I wanted to ask, but something stopped me and I shook the thought out of my head, resting on his shoulder instead as the giant gate of the castle creaked open and I marveled at the cheers that boomed and erupted.“Holy shit,” I whispered and my cheeks warmed to hear Nikolai laugh beside me. Gosh, I never wanted him to stop laughing! There were rows and rows of ruddy-faced wolves holding large bouquets that they threw like confetti at the carri
NikolaiThe voices, by Jove! The rush of shadows and voices crowded into my head as I wove the moonstone around my neck must have made me mad!I roared, feeling my rage amplify and baring my teeth with bloodlust as I turned my body to see Alpha Toph charging toward me like a bat straight from hell.“You bloody prick! I'm going to annihilate you once and for all!” He bellowed, his lumpy muscled frame flying into the air before I surged forward to meet him halfway, almost stumbling when Raya’s soft whisper carried to my ears.I love you, I love you, I love you. I inhaled sharply, throwing everything I had into the fight as our bodies slammed meatily together before we landed heavily on the floor and I pushed against the bracket of his arms. His disfigured eyes stared at me from behind the barricade with such hate and venom that I threw away all the guilt I had swirling inside me.“Not if I kill you first.” I sneered, jamming my knee into his sides and watching him crumple in on himself
158Raya Banks“Nikolai! Watch out!” I shrieked loudly, feeling my gut wrench with fear as I saw the king get knocked down by Alpha Toph’s hulking frame.“You let a woman be your weakness again Nikolai, it's almost as if you never LEARN! Wasn't Olivia’s betrayal all those years ago enough for you?” Alpha Toph gurgled in a voice that sounded like rushing water and I felt chills wash over me as I tried to struggle to my feet before one of the shadowlings slammed their heavy foot flat on my back, knocking the breath out of me.“No!” I cried out, winded, and stretched a hand to the huge gray wolf that was being mauled ferociously by Alpha Toph’s half-human, half-beast frame. A trap! The beast had set a trap for the king and now he was cut in between. I knew almost immediately what he had planned to do but there was almost no way to warn Alpha Nikolai as he crossed the field to rescue me.Had I been his weakness? How did he find me? It couldn't have been that long since I was kidnapped an
Olivia BurnsIt was the silence that haunted me the most now. The empty hours from dawn to dusk and everything in between, just me and the shadows, and the shadows and me.“You rest up now Miss Burns, His Highness will be back to the Stone Castle in no time.” Meredith’s calming voice rang, making me snap my eyes to her pale oval face that had lifted into an encouraging smile.“Enough, I'm positive ill turn into one of the meadow fishes if you soak my stubs any longer.” I hissed impatiently, feeling my heart squeeze when the woman only smiled, snatching up a dry, white towel from the rack before wrapping my tender feet in it and toweling me off.I sneered at the unhealthy size of the swollen lumps as she massaged them into a reasonable size, and I stirred uneasily in the low plush stool that had been placed in the sunlit room.The King had ordered renovations for me, giant blue ceramic pots with fake gold flowers at the corners of the room that hid the shadowlings from my sight. The bi
NIKOLAIShe was RIGHT THERE, a few feet from me before he snatched her right out of the air. So close, and yet, so far away.“It doesn't have to be this way Tophas, my mate has no business in our rivalry, let her go.” I deadpanned, hearing the din of my voice as it caught in the wind whipping about us before my brother’s uneven face jerked into an excited smile.I could hear the thud of my heart beating and was aware how fast my breaths rushed out from my chest and yet, I could do nothing but stand and wait. No sudden movements.“But you lie, brother, Raya Banks is my mate too don't you reckon?” Tophas growled, slamming one thick paw that looked like the fingers had been snapped all the way back against Raya’s full cleavage.“Please!” Raya’s desperate wheezes twisted at my heart as I held out a hand, stopping Gallagher’s copper-colored wolf from morphing out and tearing forward. I could sense his agitation, because it was double in my gut, watching the woman I loved so much desperatel
Raya BanksI couldn't stop the shudders from running through my body before the sound of wolves laughing heartily in the distance reached my ears.“Oh God, oh God, help me,” I panted, squeezing my eyes shut and clamping my lips firmly to keep from whimpering when what felt like a tongue licked at the underside of my ass from the stone.The damned thing was alive! Like the stack of bodies in the corner of the room! Wolf zombies, immobile now, no doubt until the dark shadow king Gobar wanted to command them!“A feast! We shall have a feast!” Alpha Toph’s voice boomed in the distance and my body automatically stiffened, still as a rock.It had been some time since he left and the hearty yellow beam I could see beyond the cave opening flaps if I angled my head right had now turned a smokey gray. Dusk. I had to get out of here fast, I couldn't hope on the King any longer, he may as well have moved on with his betrothed and heir and here I was slaving away, holding out hope and waiting for
Alpha TophMy tongue pressed against the uneven ridges of my teeth as I fiddled with the lock of the shadow king’s secret compartment.I had caught a glimpse of the mammoth beast leaving the small shed, the spot on his neck where the blood moonstone hung bare. I knew then that Gobar had to have been hiding it here. He never wore it to hunt.“Come on!” I gritted through clenched teeth, feeling my eyeballs sting as the sweat rolled down from the cliff of my forehead.Everything had begun to feel weird, it was hard enough to feed without tasting the worms from the inside of my mouth in the blood.If I could just get my hands on the dark moonstone I could stop the transformation and have SOME chance of killing the shadow king.Yes! I had to kill him, there was no way in seven hells I would have gone through all the pains to settle for being his eternal stooge!The numbers I tried to spin on the lock didn't make any sense and it was beginning to get dark. I glanced around quickly, catchin
Meredith The Maid“MEREDITH!” My name, I answer it with pride when my mistress calls, but she does not call today. “MEREDIFFTH!” My name, whenever the mistress was in one of her moods and couldn't stand to get the words out nice and proper, her shrill tone seemed to shake me to my very core.She was in one of her moods again as I led her away from the King’s horses, holding the blubbering countess by the hand and helping her climb the stairs until we were behind the safe walls of the familiar quarters.“What time is it Meredith? I haven't had my afternoon tea and all that screaming has made me rather, famished!” Miss Olivia exclaimed and I caught my tongue between my teeth before I could tell her she had taken her lunch already. Thrice.“Of course, I'll send for it M’lady,” I cooed softly, lowering her onto the plush cushion of the high bed and propping her feet too before smothering her with the rich red duvets that had been layered on the foam.“My Merd, what would I do without y
NIKOLAITime seemed to stand still as I swung the silver sword in a neat arc, striking the stretched meat of my best friend’s neck and feeling the sword spasm in my death grip before cutting cleanly through the bone and clanging up to my shoulders against the hard rock of the dias.My heart pounded wildly in my chest as the brightly colored room blurred in my vision for a moment before I caught the lapse and blinked everything back into focus.The silence was so loud that my ears rang from the nothingness, not a breath, not a word, nothing but quiet. I watched Igor’s blood-spattered head roll quietly down each stone staircase until it toppled in a neat circle and stopped on the floor.I was breathing fast, and heavily, with my fingers shaking on the hilt of the executioner sword I still held tightly in my hand and yet I couldn't manage to shake it off.It was like a part of me had died the moment I held the blade. My fault! It was all my fault. I had let my best man turn into a trait