Four years later...Essex and TaviWith all the pressures of the kingdom to bear an heir, the young couple came up empty. They tried for years on end with no luck. The court physician ruled it to be the stress of rescuing the South, East, and West out of turmoil is what caused Tavi to become barren. After hearing the news, Essex refused to believe the two of them could not conceive. The two of them decided to allow the cards to fall where they may. Most of their focus was on preventing another unnecessary war among the kingdoms. It didn't stop the prying elders and allies pushing their beliefs on them. Some even sent whispers of Essex and Tavi's Union being cursed, but the packs love them both. No one would dare challenge them for the throne, or so we thought. With their allies in place, the villages paid less taxes and worked the land so there was enough produce for the masses. Farming the lands proved plentiful and affordable for local farmers. Tavi distracted herself with trying to
AlexisTime continued to tick by without any signs of vulnerabilities in these steel walls of the North. Alexis had traveled to many kingdoms hidden in the shadows finding little to no threats to her brother, King Essex and his Queen. It wasn't until she came upon the walls of the fortress that had no name, or so she thought. During her scouting of this large steel walled fortress, Alexis had a couple of her scouts traveling with her to make it look as if she had been mauled by a bear. Alexis limped to the doors of the fortress pretending to beg for help before collapsing to the ground on her knees. After what seemed like forever, the guards of the North drug her in and tossed her into the dungeon. The scouts that traveled with Alexis were dispatched back to report as they've always done with news of an ultimate threat, but help never arrived. Much time had passed before Lady Donyale began using Alexis as her executioner to prove her loyalty. She did it so effortlessly, at least that
Lady Donyale With her plans slowly unfolding without a hitch, Lady Donyale decided the time was near to place her plan in motion. She would declare war on the Alpha King and Queen only after she made the first move. They wouldn't know what hit them. That kingdom was oblivious of the threat that grows against them daily and Donyale used it to her advantage. Lex and Lawrence did whatever she commanded unknowingly that they would have to fight to the death if they both wanted the north. Donyale was aware of little Karly making her play for the north too, which placed Lex in danger because his mate, Taysia hated the sight of him alone. She wouldn't help him fight to be triumphant. Who knew it would be this easy to manipulate wolves she often wondered. With her family staff in hand and family crest on her chest, Donyale felt more powerful as more weapons were being built in her honor and for her army. Her ultimate goal was to fulfill the goal her mother always hoped for. It's the very rea
Present day... Alpha Queen Octavia's POV It's been a while since I've heard from Alexis. Something isn't right. The blood oath we took in private grows weaker by the day. I worried about her often. I just hope her plan to infiltrate our enemies worked no matter the distance. Sweat prickled my skin in nervousness while fatigue set in often these days. My anxiousness about everything all at once kept me on edge. It wasn’t until a voice from behind called out that I hadn’t realized how parched I was."Still nothing from Alexis?" Quinn asked. "Nothing," I sighed peering out toward the courtyard. "Well, I'm sure she's fine. Alpha King Essex should be returning soon right?" She asked tying my corset. "Not soon enough," I shivered. "I'm sure he feels the same," she winked before leaving me alone in my chambers. With everything going on, I haven't had much alone time with my mate and my wolf; Gemini was unhappy. Essex is currently gathering our vampire allies to prepare for an attack no o
Essex's POV The night was filled with... "FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!" I heard some of the warriors yell. "OVER THERE!" Another yelled pointing west. "AHHH!" Another yelled taking an arrow through the neck. "GET DOWN!" I yelled tackling Tavi to the ground. It all began happening so fast. The arrow that shot inside of our tent grazed Tavi's side. The look of rage and horror filled her eyes in an instant. War was upon us and we didn't even see it coming. "THEY'RE IN THE CAMP!" we heard countless warriors yell out before the sounds of battle echoed through the night. "LOOK OUT!" one of door sentinels yelled blocking a fire arrow from piercing my thigh. He barely survived. I was shaken out of my thoughts when the fire rose higher in front of us in another's tent. The sounds of clanking swords, growls, and screams of agony could be heard in the night. Blood, so much blood covered the ground the more we took in the mayhem occurring before us. "AHHH!" "IT'S A LOT OF THEM!" "KILL THEM ALL!" Th
Karly's POV"What the hell took you lads so long? You were told to retreat!" Lawrence growled in anger. "It was only to send a message, not gave EVERYONE killed!" He added punching the stonewall.I just stood there staring at him throw his tantrum. After all, I felt as if I had accomplished MY mission."What is this? Were you bleeding? So much for not being seen!" Lawrence scoffed in disgust.I had grown used to his tirades, disrespect, and his occasional apologies. To say I cared for him deeply wouldn't begin to cover it. It's almost as if he liked keeping his distance. We've been great for each other, but it jerked out of place once I found out he had been spying on Matilda, his ex-mate. I have spies all over this fortress unbeknownst to him. So, I had to do something about it."Stay the fuck away from me, Lawrence or I'll surely have you hung," was all I said dashing away from him. "Come back here!" He growled grabbing me by my arm. "I'm sick of your idol threats, Karly. We both kn
Matilda's POV "How are you go holding up?" A familiar voice whispered. "Alexis?" I croaked through one swollen eye. "Yes, it is me, but I must remain hidden. How? Why are you here?" She asked. "I don't remember much. Our camp was attacked. I went to fetch fresh water for our casualties before I was hit over the head with something HARD. I woke up here," I replied. "I'm so sorry, but I'm going to get you out of here," she replied. "H-How did you know I was down here?" I asked. "I'm a spy. I heard rumors about a prisoner. I went to the main dungeons, but they were all the same. It's when I began trailing Karly. She's not as clever as she thinks. Here, take this. It will help weaken the wolfsbane in your system faster. BuShit! Someone's coming," she panicked before I heard the clanking of the cells that kept me bound. I stuffed my mouth with the remnants of the moon flower Alexis had slipped me. I felt my strength being renewed little by little. My chains were heavy, but not as much as
Taysia's POV "WAKE UP!" I heard Lex's voice boom in my head. "What is it?" I asked pretending to have been asleep. Truth is, I've barely had a wink of sleep since my pup disappeared and I ate my sister. Served on a silver platter by kitchen omegas under the orders of Alex and Lady Donyale. If I had known…."Today is the day Lady Donyale will announce that I'll subsume the North with you as my Queen," he proudly said kissing my forehead. "It'll be just like old times," he cackled. "I would like my parents to be present at our wedding," I whispered. "We will invite the whole damned kingdom!" He boomed proud of his victory. "I'm sure you will," I murmured standing to walk toward the washroom. "Oh, don't be like that. I thought we had fun last night. Do I need to teach you how to obey me again?" He whispered in my ear. I shook my head in fright. His idea of teaching me a lesson always led to pain and blood that drizzled down my legs for days. Lex was a monster I never realized I knew.