Valarie I stood there, rooted to the spot, watching Alpha Tristan rush out of the room after Fiona without so much as a glance back at me. My heart clenched painfully in my chest.I hadn’t asked for this, any of this.I hadn’t asked to take my sister’s place in this marriage, to play the role of a dutiful wife to a man who clearly despised me, or to live in a palace where every glance and whisper carried suspicion. And now, after that humiliating moment, I was left standing alone in the dimly lit room, the echo of Tristan’s footsteps fading down the hall as he chased after the woman he truly loved.I wrapped my arms around myself, the silk of my dress cool against my skin, and tried to steady my breathing. My cheeks still burned from the kiss....his kiss. It had been unexpected, intense, and for a fleeting moment, it had felt real.But it wasn’t.I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms. He hadn’t kissed me because he wanted to. He’d kissed me because he thought I was Fiona
Alpha TristanI stormed down the hallway, my boots echoing against the cold stone floor as I chased after Fiona. My heart pounded furiously, not from the exertion, but from the chaos of emotions swirling within me.The kiss had been a mistake. A momentary lapse in judgment. I’d thought she was Fiona, and for a brief, maddening second, I’d been consumed by the memory of what we used to have. But when I realized it was Vanessa standing in my arms, everything had spiraled out of control.I hadn’t even paused to explain myself to Vanessa. What was there to explain? That I didn’t want her? That the very sight of her reminded me of the burdens I’d been forced to carry since we were married? No. She already knew where my heart lay. She’d accepted this arrangement, just as I had, and we both knew it wasn’t for love.But Fiona...I quickened my pace, my breath coming in shallow bursts as I reached the palace gardens. The night was cool, the scent of jasmine heavy in the air, but it did little
Alpha Tristan The walk back to the palace was longer than it should have been. Each step felt heavier than the last, the cool night air doing little to clear the turmoil in my mind. Fiona’s words still echoed in my head, sharper than any blade: “I saw the way you looked at her.”It was absurd. Ridiculous. She was wrong.But was she?I shook the thought away, straightening my shoulders as the towering palace loomed before me. The grand doors stood open, spilling golden light onto the stone steps. The sounds of the festival had quieted, the night now carrying only the distant hum of laughter and music from the square.As I stepped inside, the air was thick with the scent of lavender and the faint aroma of wine. The grand hall was empty, save for a few servants scurrying about, clearing away the remnants of the feast. They bowed their heads as I passed, murmuring respectful greetings.“Where is she?” I asked one of the maids, my voice curt.The young woman startled, clutching the tray o
Valarie As the door closed behind Tristan, the silence in the room felt deafening. I stood there by the window, staring out at the moonlit gardens, my heart pounding in my chest. The conversation replayed in my mind, his words cutting deeper than I wanted to admit.I had agreed to this marriage, yes. But I hadn’t agreed to be humiliated, to be treated like I was invisible, like I didn’t matter.Wiping the tears from my cheeks, I took a deep breath and straightened my spine. I couldn’t let this break me. Not now. Not when so much was at stake.If Tristan wanted to treat me like a pawn in his game, so be it. But I wasn’t going to just stand by and let him ruin me. I had to protect myself, and more importantly, I had to protect my sister’s secret.I turned away from the window and walked to the vanity, my reflection staring back at me. The royal gown I wore was flawless, every intricate detail carefully designed to make me look like the queen the people thought I was. My dark hair fell
ValerieThe morning sun streamed through the large windows of my chamber, bathing the room in a soft golden hue. I sat up in bed, stretching lazily before swinging my legs over the edge. The air carried a slight chill, and I hurried to dress, choosing a simple yet elegant gown that reflected my current mood. Life in the palace had its charms, but the tension was often palpable, and today was no exception.Alpha Theo, had been away on a work trip for several days, leaving the atmosphere in the palace teetering on the edge of chaos. Without his grounding presence, the tension was high , and the air was thick with unspoken grievances.By the time I made my way to the dining hall, the familiar buzz of morning chatter had been replaced by a tense silence. Lady Bianca, sat at the head of the table, her expression as sharp as the crystal chandelier above us. She was the epitome of poise, but her words often carried a sting. Across from her, Tristan’s absence was glaringly obvious.The serv
Alpha TristanIt had been weeks since Vanessa had stood up to Lady Bianca, and as time passed, I found myself caught in an unexpected web. I had always thought of Vanessa as someone who was... well, nothing more than a lady with a lot of opinions. She wasn’t bad, per se, but I hadn’t exactly gone out of my way to get to know her. She was a lady of the palace, one who lived by the rules and adhered to traditions. She had been a presence, yes, but one I didn’t care much to engage with.At least, that’s what I had told myself.But ever since the incident with Bianca, something in me had shifted. It wasn’t just that she’d confronted my stepmother, though that alone had been enough to make me pause. No, it was the way she had handled it. With calm composure and an honesty that cut through the tension in the room like a blade. She wasn’t afraid of speaking her mind, and that was... refreshing. It made her stand out, in a way that I hadn’t expected.I’d never been one to entertain the idea o
ValerieReaching out to my parents about my sister’s health had become an impossible task. I had tried, but the risk was too great, especially after Fiona, one of the palace's most vigilant maids, almost caught me the last time I attempted to send a message. Since then, I had been forced to bury my concerns deep within me, even though the worry gnawed at my heart.I missed my sister terribly. She was the rightful Bride of Alpha Tristan, the one who had been chosen for this life. Pretending to be her wasn’t just difficult, it was soul-crushing. I wasn’t cut out for this world of rigid rules, constant surveillance, and hidden power plays. I longed for my old life, where I wasn’t walking on eggshells or pretending to be someone I wasn’t.And then there was Tristan. He had made it painfully clear that I was nothing more than an unwanted placeholder in his life. His heart still belonged to his ex, a fact he didn’t bother to hide. Living under the same roof as him, enduring his cold indiffe
CarlReturning to the palace wasn’t just about taking up responsibilities or reconnecting with family, it was about reminding Tristan that I wasn’t someone he could ignore. We had been rivals for as long as I could remember, constantly trying to outdo each other in everything from training to leadership, and even now, nothing had changed.Except now, he was married.And not to just anyone, but to someone strikingly beautiful. Vanessa. The moment I saw her on the staircase, struggling not to fall, I knew who she was. I had heard whispers about her, though I hadn’t expected her to be so… captivating. The way her eyes widened when I caught her, the soft flush on her cheeks, she was unlike anyone else in this cold, calculated palace. And I could already tell she was Tristan’s weakness.Which made her all the more interesting to me.Tristan had always been the perfect Alpha, stoic, disciplined, and unshakable. But seeing him that day, his mask slipping as I held Vanessa in my arms, was a r
Alpha TristanCarl had always been a thorn in my side. For as long as I could remember, his presence was a constant reminder that even the things I cherished most were never safe. He thrived on competition, on finding ways to provoke me, and it infuriated me how easily he could slip into someone’s life and stir chaos.And now, it was Vanessa.I stood in the shadows of the hallway, watching her and Carl from a distance. The way he leaned toward her, that stupid, smug grin plastered on his face, made my teeth clench. He said something that made her laugh an unguarded, light laugh that I hadn’t heard from her in weeks.That laugh, it shouldn’t have been meant for him.Carl reached out, his hand brushing hers briefly, and something inside me snapped. I turned on my heel and headed straight to my chambers, slamming the door behind me. My breathing was heavy, and my hands were balled into fists at my sides.This wasn’t about her. It wasn’t.I repeated the thought in my head like a mantra, t
CarlReturning to the palace wasn’t just about taking up responsibilities or reconnecting with family, it was about reminding Tristan that I wasn’t someone he could ignore. We had been rivals for as long as I could remember, constantly trying to outdo each other in everything from training to leadership, and even now, nothing had changed.Except now, he was married.And not to just anyone, but to someone strikingly beautiful. Vanessa. The moment I saw her on the staircase, struggling not to fall, I knew who she was. I had heard whispers about her, though I hadn’t expected her to be so… captivating. The way her eyes widened when I caught her, the soft flush on her cheeks, she was unlike anyone else in this cold, calculated palace. And I could already tell she was Tristan’s weakness.Which made her all the more interesting to me.Tristan had always been the perfect Alpha, stoic, disciplined, and unshakable. But seeing him that day, his mask slipping as I held Vanessa in my arms, was a r
ValerieReaching out to my parents about my sister’s health had become an impossible task. I had tried, but the risk was too great, especially after Fiona, one of the palace's most vigilant maids, almost caught me the last time I attempted to send a message. Since then, I had been forced to bury my concerns deep within me, even though the worry gnawed at my heart.I missed my sister terribly. She was the rightful Bride of Alpha Tristan, the one who had been chosen for this life. Pretending to be her wasn’t just difficult, it was soul-crushing. I wasn’t cut out for this world of rigid rules, constant surveillance, and hidden power plays. I longed for my old life, where I wasn’t walking on eggshells or pretending to be someone I wasn’t.And then there was Tristan. He had made it painfully clear that I was nothing more than an unwanted placeholder in his life. His heart still belonged to his ex, a fact he didn’t bother to hide. Living under the same roof as him, enduring his cold indiffe
Alpha TristanIt had been weeks since Vanessa had stood up to Lady Bianca, and as time passed, I found myself caught in an unexpected web. I had always thought of Vanessa as someone who was... well, nothing more than a lady with a lot of opinions. She wasn’t bad, per se, but I hadn’t exactly gone out of my way to get to know her. She was a lady of the palace, one who lived by the rules and adhered to traditions. She had been a presence, yes, but one I didn’t care much to engage with.At least, that’s what I had told myself.But ever since the incident with Bianca, something in me had shifted. It wasn’t just that she’d confronted my stepmother, though that alone had been enough to make me pause. No, it was the way she had handled it. With calm composure and an honesty that cut through the tension in the room like a blade. She wasn’t afraid of speaking her mind, and that was... refreshing. It made her stand out, in a way that I hadn’t expected.I’d never been one to entertain the idea o
ValerieThe morning sun streamed through the large windows of my chamber, bathing the room in a soft golden hue. I sat up in bed, stretching lazily before swinging my legs over the edge. The air carried a slight chill, and I hurried to dress, choosing a simple yet elegant gown that reflected my current mood. Life in the palace had its charms, but the tension was often palpable, and today was no exception.Alpha Theo, had been away on a work trip for several days, leaving the atmosphere in the palace teetering on the edge of chaos. Without his grounding presence, the tension was high , and the air was thick with unspoken grievances.By the time I made my way to the dining hall, the familiar buzz of morning chatter had been replaced by a tense silence. Lady Bianca, sat at the head of the table, her expression as sharp as the crystal chandelier above us. She was the epitome of poise, but her words often carried a sting. Across from her, Tristan’s absence was glaringly obvious.The serv
Valarie As the door closed behind Tristan, the silence in the room felt deafening. I stood there by the window, staring out at the moonlit gardens, my heart pounding in my chest. The conversation replayed in my mind, his words cutting deeper than I wanted to admit.I had agreed to this marriage, yes. But I hadn’t agreed to be humiliated, to be treated like I was invisible, like I didn’t matter.Wiping the tears from my cheeks, I took a deep breath and straightened my spine. I couldn’t let this break me. Not now. Not when so much was at stake.If Tristan wanted to treat me like a pawn in his game, so be it. But I wasn’t going to just stand by and let him ruin me. I had to protect myself, and more importantly, I had to protect my sister’s secret.I turned away from the window and walked to the vanity, my reflection staring back at me. The royal gown I wore was flawless, every intricate detail carefully designed to make me look like the queen the people thought I was. My dark hair fell
Alpha Tristan The walk back to the palace was longer than it should have been. Each step felt heavier than the last, the cool night air doing little to clear the turmoil in my mind. Fiona’s words still echoed in my head, sharper than any blade: “I saw the way you looked at her.”It was absurd. Ridiculous. She was wrong.But was she?I shook the thought away, straightening my shoulders as the towering palace loomed before me. The grand doors stood open, spilling golden light onto the stone steps. The sounds of the festival had quieted, the night now carrying only the distant hum of laughter and music from the square.As I stepped inside, the air was thick with the scent of lavender and the faint aroma of wine. The grand hall was empty, save for a few servants scurrying about, clearing away the remnants of the feast. They bowed their heads as I passed, murmuring respectful greetings.“Where is she?” I asked one of the maids, my voice curt.The young woman startled, clutching the tray o
Alpha TristanI stormed down the hallway, my boots echoing against the cold stone floor as I chased after Fiona. My heart pounded furiously, not from the exertion, but from the chaos of emotions swirling within me.The kiss had been a mistake. A momentary lapse in judgment. I’d thought she was Fiona, and for a brief, maddening second, I’d been consumed by the memory of what we used to have. But when I realized it was Vanessa standing in my arms, everything had spiraled out of control.I hadn’t even paused to explain myself to Vanessa. What was there to explain? That I didn’t want her? That the very sight of her reminded me of the burdens I’d been forced to carry since we were married? No. She already knew where my heart lay. She’d accepted this arrangement, just as I had, and we both knew it wasn’t for love.But Fiona...I quickened my pace, my breath coming in shallow bursts as I reached the palace gardens. The night was cool, the scent of jasmine heavy in the air, but it did little
Valarie I stood there, rooted to the spot, watching Alpha Tristan rush out of the room after Fiona without so much as a glance back at me. My heart clenched painfully in my chest.I hadn’t asked for this, any of this.I hadn’t asked to take my sister’s place in this marriage, to play the role of a dutiful wife to a man who clearly despised me, or to live in a palace where every glance and whisper carried suspicion. And now, after that humiliating moment, I was left standing alone in the dimly lit room, the echo of Tristan’s footsteps fading down the hall as he chased after the woman he truly loved.I wrapped my arms around myself, the silk of my dress cool against my skin, and tried to steady my breathing. My cheeks still burned from the kiss....his kiss. It had been unexpected, intense, and for a fleeting moment, it had felt real.But it wasn’t.I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms. He hadn’t kissed me because he wanted to. He’d kissed me because he thought I was Fiona