Larose's POV
I tried my best to remain calm, reminding myself that my daughter's life is resting in my hands.
“Nathan, why are you doing this? Why are you hurting your own child in this way?”
“Why am I doing this? Isn't it obvious?” He snorted. “You ruined my plans and sent me to prison. I was going to become the Alpha of this Pack and you just had to interfere. Now I have to teach you a lesson.”
Everyone is counting on me, what happens from here on out depends on my performance.
“What are you planning to do? You must know that keeping us here like this won't work. Mum will eventually grow tired of your games and send the guards crashing through the doors.” I reasoned out.
“I know that, I'm not stupid.” He snapped.
“What's your agenda then? Why are you doing this when you know you can't win?” I demanded and he pulled on my hair hard, causing me to yelp in pa
Larose's POV“Yes and they're planning to make him Alpha. They don't care that I'm the one who's worked her ass off since childhood, trying to prove that I was worthy. They don't care about all the sacrifices I've made or that I love this Pack like my own family.They don't give a fuck about any of that. The boy of the family suddenly shows up and I'm not worth anything anymore. I hate it.” I grit out with so much venom in my voice that I surprise myself as well.Nathan took his hand away from my jaw, giving me a chance to speak freely.“I despise him more with each passing day, I want him dead. He doesn't deserve to be Alpha. You might be an asshole yourself but I'd prefer it if you were Alpha.” I said in a determined voice and he let go of my hair.He studied my face for any sign of foul play.“Why should I believe anything you're saying? Why would you support me after everything I've done to you?&
Larose's POV“It's going to be OK, sweetheart, I promise. I'm here now so everything will be fine. You don't have to cry anymore.” I tried to soothe, breaking the hug so I could wipe her tears“Do you really think you've won, you silly woman? It's not over yet, I'm going to destroy you! I'll tear you apart limb from limb!” Nathan hollered like the deranged man that he was.“Oh, it is over. I assure you.” It was Rion's voice.I turned around just in time to see the door open with Rion, Jaselyn and mother walking into the room. Following behind mother was Erik, the Gamma of our Pack and he was dragging along a man who I quickly recognized with shock and distaste.The man was Nigel. I could never forget him. He's Nathan's close friend, the one I caught him in bed with and he's wearing a palace guard uniform.Just what is going on here?I could see Nathan's eyes widen in surprise and indignation when Er
Rion's POVI had a plan. And none of this was part of it.This terror, the blazing heat and suffocating air, the fiery hell all around us; it wasn't a fucking part of it! But then again, nothing ever goes as planned. I should know.The mahogany door stared me in the face like an uncharacteristically bad joke. I turned to Erik, knowing just what we had to do.“On three, Erik!” I shouted over the roaring flames.Erik nodded, his face set with determination despite the blistering heat. The smoke was thick and suffocating, clawing at our throats and stinging our eyes. Carol's silent cries and Larose's soothing whispers, Mildred's panicked fidgeting mixed with the crackling of burning wood, creating a symphony of chaos.“One, two, three!” We lunged at the door, our shoulders slamming into the solid mahogany with all our might. The impact sent shockwaves of pain through my body causing my bones to ache and groan to escape my throat, but the door remained stubbornly intact.Again. And again w
Jaselyn's POV It's been two days since the ordeal and all of us are still a little shaken by it, naturally so.The fire was put out without much hassle before it could spread to the other rooms but it'll take a while for the room to be rebuilt as it was completely destroyed by the flames.In the meantime, Carol will sleep in Larose's room. There are numerous rooms in the palace and she could get any one she wants but it's clear that she needs to be with her mother now more than ever.Just as Rion predicted, two badly burnt corpses were recovered from the room and they both fit the profile of Nigel and Nathan.Luna Daryna had called Rion, I and Larose to take a look at the corpses. When the white cloth was lifted up, I had to force myself not to look away as the sight before me had bile rushing up my throat.The bodies or what was left of them was twisted and contorted, frozen in what seemed like their final moments of agony. Their skins were blackened and cracked, peeling away to rev
Jaselyn's POV My heart clenches painfully at her words. How could anyone say such a thing to a child? It's absolutely unfathomable.I swallow hard, determined to handle this delicately. "Your daddy was very wrong to say that, Carol. You are not a burden. Your mummy loves you very much, and so do all of us. We’re so happy you’re here with us."But Carol's sad, questioning eyes stay fixed on me, and I know this conversation is far from over. As I sit there, holding her tiny hand in mine, I can’t shake the anger and sadness welling up inside me. Who the hell says something that insidious to a child?!Nathan's cruelty has left deep scars on this innocent child, and it will take a lot of love and patience to help her heal. But I am determined to be there for her, no matter what.“Carol, sweetie, would you like to go on a little adventure with me today?” I sign, smiling softly to try and lighten the mood. “I have a surprise for you.”Carol hesitates, her small fingers fidgeting as she sig
Jaselyn's POV“Children, this is Carol and she's come to play with us today.” The woman introduces.They come closer and all seem to be fascinated by Carol’s beauty, marveling at her gorgeous curly hair and pretty green eyes.“Hi! I’m Tommy. Do you wanna be friends?” A boy with freckles asks, grinning widely.Carol looks at me, unsure, and I step in. “Yes, Carol would love to be your friend.She can’t speak so she won't be able to answer your questions but she's very nice and she loves to play just like you.”Another girl with pigtails reaches out to touch Carol’s hair. “Wow, your hair is so pretty! I’m Lily. Do you want to play with us, Carol?”Carol’s eyes light up, and she signs her name. The children look confused, so I explain, “She’s saying her name is Carol. Can you all say ‘Hi, Carol’?”“Hi
Jaselyn’s POVI sigh softly as I finish my nightly skincare routine, feeling the cool, soothing sensation of the moisturizer on my face. The routine is a small comfort, a moment of normalcy amidst the swirling emotions and events of the day. I take a deep breath, feeling a sense of satisfaction and calm wash over me. Carol had a wonderful day, and it feels like we’re making real progress in helping her heal. It makes me so happy.As I move to the bed, I hear the bathroom door open and look up to see Rion stepping out, a towel wrapped around his waist. His hair is damp, falling over his face messily. Droplets of water cling to his muscular frame, a particularly asinine drop rolls down from his neck, over his chest, abs and finally down his abdomen, between the V-shape of his nether region, his assets thankfully covered by the towel.The sight sends a shiver down my spine, and I quickly trace my eyes back up to his chest. Choosing instead to focu
Jaselyn's POVThat name. I always had a feeling it would come to haunt me sooner or later. Ziarre, my first female friend and Rion's first mate…..My throat tightens and I suddenly feel nauseous.I push him off of me, my heart pounding with hurt and betrayal. “What did you just say?”Rion looks at me, confusion and panic in his eyes. “Jas, I.… It was a mistake. I didn’t mean to—”“A mistake?” I repeat, my voice rising with anger. “You called out her name while we were having sex, Rion! You called out her name while you were inside me! What is that supposed to mean?!” I demand hotly, my chest constricting with pain. My vision blurs with unshed tears, and all I can see is red.I don't wait for him to respond before continuing. “You lied to me! You’re not over her, are you?!”“Jas, please,” he says, reaching for me, his face a mi