Demi’s povThe room was dimly lit but I could see chairs had been pushed to the side to create the space in the center.There was a wide candle-lit table In the middle with two chairs facing each other, a vase of pretty flowers, and empty plates on the sides with other covered ones on the expanse of the table."Do you like it?" I heard him as I stared at the table wondering what I did to deserve such nice treatment."Yes." I nodded immediately pinching myself slightly to see if it wasn't a dream, “I do!”"And how about this?" A bunch of roses came into view and he brandished them playfully before me, "Where I come from, women receive flowers as pretty as them.""Thank you, Dmitri." I collected the roses with my good hand, "No one has ever gotten me flowers.""That will change now." His smile grew seeing how Elated I was, “I would spoil you with flowers if it will keep your gorgeous face lit up.”I brought them to my nose, inhaling the scent. They were fresh and dewy teasing my senses
Demi's pov I had just learned something remarkable about my mate. The first thing I learned about him was that he sneezed a lot when around me and the second was that he was a big liar. He had asked us to go on assuring that he was here just to check up on his guest and we wouldn't even be able to tell if he was present but that was a lie. His huge intimidating frame was one thing, his scent messing with my senses was another. He sneezed each time he leaned increasing our nearness just to glare at me and he also made small talk with Dmitri whenever he noticed that Dmitri was trying to talk to me. His presence was made known by all means necessary and I had never been so much irked by a man in my life. He didn't want me yet he was here ruining my date and he dared accuse me of infidelity leaving Dmitri confused with his brows furrowed. I guess he decided not to take Eros's words to heart as he would have asked questions like any other reasonable man on what Eros was talking abo
Demi’s pov He had snatched my date's plate and cut up the steak for me carefully and he was so intentional about the action like he wanted to impress or win me He devised a way for me to have the cut of meat without having to worry about ease due to the nature of my limbs. A small simper grew on my lips and I looked towards Dmitri, the smile vanishing immediately seeing that the frown on his face had deepened and then I realized how inappropriate Eros had acted. First of all, he shouldn't be here and now he was acting like he cared trying get me to eat meat while sabotaging a date with someone who doesn't care about my appearance or my odor while my mate on the other hand completely disregarded me, made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with me and I could be with anyone of my choice. Dmitri even got me flowers while Eros filled my heart with hurt. "Thank you your majesty but I am content with what my date has offered me." I used my good hand to stretch the plate back to D
Demi's pov What do you even see in her? Those words were imprinted on my mind, echoing in my head and I could feel the irritation in his voice scraping at my hearing with each step I took toward the outhouse. I had a lot of questions running through my mind questioning my birth, my existence and the unfortunate circumstances surrounding my life. Fate was cruel to me in all ways, throwing my life around like a dice on a jagged end with each tumble revealing a deep slash. I was the weak wolf, the rejected one, the ugly one, the wolf who never shifted. The one who never had friends to play with, who got betrayed and was never good enough to invite anywhere. I was the stinky wolf, the amputee, and yet again rejected after finding out that I was mates with the Alpha king, and now that someone dared show compassion my way, he ruined it all. I had overcome my fears of men a bit fearing what Logan did to me might happen again, I forced myself to quell my thoughts and went on a date o
Demi’s pov "What are you doing here?!" There was urgency in my voice as I looked around with panic growing in my chest, "Gosh!" Eros stood before me, hands crossed on his chest assuming a predatory stance that I had seen before from Logan which made me want to cower but I stood still holding his mean gaze, expecting an answer to my question. "Your date went well I suppose?" There was a devious smirk on his lips, and the mean glint in his eyes increased seeing the frown on my face. I frowned deeper, clutching my fingers so hard that I was sure my knuckles whitened with the force. A force I wanted to exert by punching his perfect face and wiping off that arrogant expression. "You reek of him, disgusting!" His nostrils flared picking up on the fact that I still somewhat smelled of Dmitri as I had spent time with him. "Leave." I pronounced before turning to walk past him but then I felt fingers on my arm, gripping my flesh and turning me back to face him and I so hated how the spark
Demi's pov A slight smile played on my lips as I watched Haris play from the comfort of my bed. I was happier just from looking at him. He looked healthier, brighter, and happier as well. He had food, clean clothes, and opportunities to play with the other kids from the pack but he chose to stay with me and I knew it was because he feared being bullied like in the other pack. And I understood very well. It was enough for me that he was in a safer environment and for a while, the symptoms of his rare illness hadn't surfaced again leaving my heart at peace on not having to worry about that part of him. Ever since the night Eros ruined my date and belittled me, I had come down with a slight fever, nightmares, and panic attacks were the order of my activities, and my hand stump ached more as well as my wounds because the emotional toil on me slowed down my healing process. And through all these, it was Bopha and Elara with me as well as Haris as always. Dmitri had been around pa
Demi's pov When Dmitri had come earlier proposing a picnic, I hadn't known he wanted it that very day and I didn't have it in me to decline because I knew it was necessary for me to step out of the house. I was feeling nauseous from my fever and wondering about Eros and his wolf seeing me not being able to take my mind off what the outcome would be. Knowing that Eros was a powerful man I could tell that he could be brutal if he wanted to be but I had never experienced his brutality nor did I know how violent he could get unnecessarily. I feared what he would do and Bopha had told me earlier that ever since our date night, he wasn't seen only if necessary and she also stated that Anya had been looking for him. I couldn't care less where he went or if he went missing. I didn't care how he felt about me being close to Dmitri and I didn't think I should fear what he would do, the worst he could do was throw me out or kill me. That sounds terrifying. But I didn't think I should
Demi’s pov I complimented his cooking and baking skills and he expressed the thought of showing me how to do all that he could some day. "So how old are you?" He asked. "Twenty-two." I muffled through my third cupcake, "How about you?" "I am three years older than you are." "Hmm, old." He laughed, "What's your wolf's color, I am curious about that." "She doesn't have a wolf," Haris answered before I could speak and he went back to munching on a meat stick like he didn't just give off vital information about me. "Sorry about asking that." Dmitri apologized immediately, "I should really mind myself at times." "It's fine." I immediately told him, "I don't have a wolf physically but I can feel her. Her name is Harlyn." "That's a really pretty name." He complimented, "As pretty as yours." We continued the rest of the picnic, making small talk and playing and I learnt a lot about him as I still refused to talk about myself. By the time we were done, it was night and darkness had
Demi’s pov I could feel Haris’s hand at my back, his palm rubbing small soothing patterns to calm my disorganized state while he offered words of comfort and while I was there, sprawled over the bathroom floor wearing my vulnerability and self-disgust like a second skin, my fingers shakily tapped at my phone screen dialing Bopha. “Hey babe.” she greeted excitedly the moment she picked up the phone, “Are you ready for today?” “Bopha.” I groaned in pain, my nasal congestion revealing itself as the odor clogged my nostrils. “What happened?! Are you alright?!” Her voice broke through the connection, “Don't move, I am coming right away.” The call ended and I dropped my head against the tile, its cool contrasting with my sweaty feverish skin as I registered that in all my life, I had never smelt this bad and it was like I had smelt worse than before. I shook my head and noticed Haris getting up and rushing to the sink. He picked up a small towel and ran to my side again. “Sorry sis.
Demi’s pov There wasn’t a particular reason for my stench, so if someone were to ask why I stunk, I couldn’t quite pinpoint but if I was asked to explain on a broader level, I would be able to give various reasons. I often wondered why my persistent odor still hadn’t gone even after being here for months and bathing regularly, getting on a few hygiene products and perfuming. Every other thing was changing, my wounds were healing and I looked better but the stench was still an issue that set me back on my progress to maintaining confidence. I wasn’t surprised when Elara called me aside after the meeting, she had explained that I would be moving to the other side of the pack since I had to be away from Eros and Dmitri as the rules state that neither of us was to see each other before the fight. And after she moved me in, she asked me about my stench and its origin. I have been deprived of baths for long, had poor hygiene situations even when on my period with the blood caking to
Anya's pov Fate hated me. It was against me as well as all odds of the situation and there was nothing I could do about it. No matter what I had tried, my conceived plans being carried out only brought them together and now there was going to be a duel, two men fighting for the woman I hated the most like she was some goddess that men died for. And these ones were actually willing to die for her. She looked like a woman who should be taken captive during war and enslaved with torture and not women who men went to war for. The hatred I had towards her had brewed significantly during the past few hours and I could only wish her death. I wished upon her death with pain from the deepest cursed parts of hell. I couldn't believe what was happening and I knew that Dmitri fighting Eros without Eros's powers still wouldn't deter Eros from winning as he looked so determined to win his mate. He had finally found a way to prove his sincerity to her and nothing was going to stop him. "N
Demi's pov A king should be an example. One who was firm, just, and morally upright. He shouldn't be one to make harsh decisions or engage in oppressive actions. He should be rational and not be caught fighting except otherwise and most importantly he shouldn't be perceived as weak. And in just one night, Eros broke almost all these rules all because of me and now we were at a table in an enclosed room. The only familiar faces I knew were those of Elara, Dmitri, Eros, and Anya. The rest faces were foreign, they looked older and also very important and they weren't too happy and I could tell with the gazes that were sent in my direction. "So we are trying to understand what is going on here?" It was one of the older men that spoke, "Can you explain your majesty?" The man's question was directed at Eros but his gaze was locked on me and I cowered a bit in my seat. "Face me." Eros growled, his voice was grave in a threatening way, "I can smell her fear, don't look at her, d
Anya's pov I slid into the bathroom, my eyes wandering as I locked the door to make sure that no one had followed me in. I went to the sink, producing the little bottle of green liquid that I had stashed in my purse. The time to use it was now. I had been in the ballroom observing from afar and the events of the night had angered me more than I had ever been. That ugly bitch was present, with Dmitri clinging to her side like they were a golden couple. She had dressed up which I knew was due to the influence of her best friend Bopha and I could see that she looked presentable. He was parading her around the ballroom, introducing her to whoever it was that cared about her, and in return, she smiled and acted charming pretending like she belonged here when in fact she was supposed to be dead, long gone with that idiot of a brother with her. I couldn't stand her, when I watched her in the ballroom, my chest tightened more than it should have revealing what was more than resentme
Demi's pov I grabbed the phone instantly, moving away from where I was next to Eros and I saw his eyes follow my movements as my shaky fingers slid over the screen, another message popped in. You ran away landing right in the territory of whom you are supposed to kill the? You are a Queen now, aren't you? Mated to the king, prancing around in outfits and you have forgotten about your first mate, your first love, me.... I stared at the letters, re-reading the words that they formed and I couldn't believe my eyes. I couldn't grasp what it was he was talking about and why he was acting like we were on good terms and he didn't try to kill me at any chance he got. I took in a deep breath, eyes glued to the screen as Harlyn tried to calm me as well. I had a lot of questions, a lot of thoughts ran through my mind and I so desperately wanted to steady myself not to give off the feeling that I was in danger. "Is anything the matter Bambi?" I had failed in that aspect as my reaction c
Demi’s pov I jumped slightly at the comment turning around immediately to be welcomed by the delectable scent of the person before me, amused green eyes connected with mine, a gaze from him turning my insides into mush and a trail of butterflies bursting in my belly. "Your ma-Eros." I breathed out as he straightened up, his gaze not leaving mine as he sat next to me but giving a considerable distance, "What are you doing here?" Eros didn't answer me because his gaze was still transfixed on my form, I watched as he took in a sharp intake of air, the rhythm of his chest when he blinked and opened his eyes again. He sneezed when he pulled closer to me, his fingers reaching out to graze my forehead before he crooked one to trail across where some loose strands fell. The smile on his face warmed me when he pulled in, bringing his face so close to mine. "Bambi." He groaned loud enough for us both to hear, but low enough to keep from whomever it was that would pass, "You are breathtakin
Demi's pov There was something about tonight that was magical.It wasn't the dazzling outfit that I had put on or the glimmer of the hall room from the event nor the ladies who were gorgeous, gracing the ball room.It wasn't all that.What was magical was different and it was a first.For the first time in my life, something enchanting was pointed at me, in my direction and it exuded from me affirming my thoughts.It was confidence.For the first time in my life, I had experienced confidence and the foreign yet comfortable feel settled within me rearing its presence in me announcing that it was here to stay.I first experienced it when I gazed upon my reflection in the mirror after dousing myself in perfume while Bopha had finished dressing me up.I had gazed upon myself, the urge to talk down on myself was gone and my tongue was coated with just positive words while my fingers clutched to the purse housing my phone that matched the outfit.Bopha was happier tha
Eros's pov My fingers tightened around the champagne flute instead of where I wanted them which was Dmitri's neck. I knew I would enjoy snuffing the very life out of him before cremating his body for daring to place a hand on my mate's shoulder. He looked like the happiest man in the world with a wide smile on his face as he chatted with her by his side, introducing her to who cared to look his way as his girlfriend. I hated him so much that I wanted to ruin his face with my fist before making my wolf take out his own wolf as my wolf felt every bit worse than I did. My Bambi on the other hand was easily the most stunning woman in the room. From the moment she walked in, in one of the dinner gowns I had gotten for her when we went shopping, I haven't been able to take my eyes off her. My staring at her was often interrupted by a small talk from others and Dmitri standing before her but she was too glorious to have my attention taken away from her even with the