Demi's pov The whip cracked against my bare back, an excruciating pain cascaded through me.I pressed my lips close forcing back the agonizing whimper from the burning sensation on my palms and knees. The heat from the hot coals I was atop burned my skin as Nina repeatedly brought the whip down on me, bruising my back greater than it was already.I couldn't cry out for help nor could I show any sign of pain as it would increase my punishment and you might wonder what punishment could be worse than this. A punishment worse than this would be seeing my baby brother in this exact position as I am because I defied their orders.And currently I could hear his cries as he screamed, rolling on the ground in attempts to get to me but he was being held back by the guards who were busy laughing at his misery.Demi, I am sorry, He mindlinked me and I looked up to make eye contact with him. A tear slid from my eye down my cheek as I could see the regret in his eyes as bro
Demi's pov I had the coffee ready as soon as I could and all the while I was at it, I couldn't help but shudder all through as I could feel the anger radiating from him through the flicker of bond we shared. I took the coffee to his office, steadying my trembling hands as I knocked, and the moment I heard him grunt for me to come in. I wrapped my fingers around the door handle, twisted it, and gently pushed at the door letting myself in before closing it behind me. I stood there for a moment watching him, transfixed at how amazing he looked. He had blonde hair that was thick and lush with dark eyes that always had me captivated even if he only ever showed anger through them towards me all the time. His head was bent over the table and he was looking at some papers and I swallowed hard at the thought of if he had accepted me. I would have been bringing him coffee and he would welcome me with a warm smile. He would hug me like he does with Nina and drop kisse
Demi's pov My broken wrists were healing while Harris's health was ailing and I had nothing more to do than to cry which is what I have done over the past years. Cry, cry, and cry again without thinking of a solution to my issues and there was no solution in sight even if I tried to think.I couldn't run away, where would I run to? Neither could I work to gain money for his health, where would I work? I was a designated slave here.I was a mere pack slave, a weak omega who went through the same process of torture every day of her life while trying to fend for her brother and I feared dearly that this is what things would be like for us for the rest of our lives.I winced as the blisters on my palms ached when I held onto the brush to scrub the grounds, they burned with a fiery intensity that heightened my pain.My heart wasn't where I was at the moment, it was where Haris was in our room and I wondered and worried about his condition since I wasn't there to check
Demi's povI didn't hear right.I was sure I didn't hear right.My hand ached to pull out a chair and drop myself on it while I let my mind wander around their words but instead, I stood because the option of taking a seat was out of it and I wasn't given a chance to think about the words before another bomb dropped."You are leaving tomorrow," Logan added reaching out his hand to grab his drink. He took a sip from it before speaking further, "And you are leaving Haris behind.""No." My voice came out frail even when I intended it deeper and firmer, "I can't do that.""Do what?" The other man who I still didn't know his identify spoke, "Leave your brother behind?""I meant killing the Alpha." I stated firmly sharpening my gaze at them, "I don't know what is going on here or what this is about and I am very confused.""You don't need to know." Logan glared at me, "Just do as you are told.""I ca-""Demi!!" Logan growled getting up from his seat, quick long strides brought him towards m
Demi's pov The darkness of the night sky descended enveloping the area just like the fear in me did, encasing my heart and sending prickles of anxiety shivering down my spine. I could feel Haris's small fingers on me, they gripped at my skin causing indents as he clung onto me for dear life, his heart racing as well, I could hear it as it was louder than the sounds of the nights with the crickets chirping and the distant hooting of the owls.The sky was starless and the moon was shy, hiding behind the clouds. It was a night as dark as our lives, a night that represented everything we had been through.I had my hand over Harris's mouth, pressing my palm against his lips so as to stop him from screaming when I heard movement in the bushes. I could feel the mud on my body drying up and on Haris's as well. My wolf had suggested rubbing ourselves in mud to mask our scents since Logan would be looking for us by now.We had only made away for a day and a night and now
Demi'spov Mate. Harlyn repeated, purring in a low voice. The aura emanating from the wolf atop me enveloped us and I bowed my head in submission before looking up at him. He didn't say a word, his deep green inviting eyes bore deep into my browns captivating me in the most intense gaze I had ever found myself locked in. I couldn't stop myself, I raised my good hand moving it to touch him but he recoiled immediately leaping off me like he was disgusted. I quickly sat up and Haris ran to my side to join me as the brown wolf, my mate let out a terrifying growl that reverberated through the forest causing me to tremble in fear. As he continued to growl, he prowled backward assuming a defensive stance and I moved towards him, "What happened?" I whispered softly stretching out my hand in an attempt to touch him again. "Back off!" The wolf barked letting out another terrifying growl causing Haris to cling to me. And almost immediately, the other wolves followed suit, their g
Demi’s povAs we walked, I could hear a rustle in the bushes and I held Haris close stopping him while paying close attention to if I would hear it again when I didn't, I moved forward but each time we did, we heard the rustle."Maybe it's squirrels." Haris shrugged as we went on, "Where are we going sis?"Before I could answer, loud growls filled the air, and wolves jumped out from the bushes. They didn't look like the ones we had encountered before. These ones looked mangy and horrible, with red eyes and dirty fur.Rouges!I moved back taking Haris with me and they followed suit keeping their eyes on us."Please, let us go." I pleaded, "We mean no harm.""Get her!" The one who looked like their leader growled and just as they leaped another wolf leapt from the bushes and landed in front of us halting their attack.He growled and bared his canines prowling in front of Haris and I.Where did he come from? I stood there looking at my mate as he growled menacingly at the wolves shieldi
Demi's povIt was a beautiful dream.A beautiful dream of freedom.I felt softness around me, the enchanting smell of fresh flowers teasing my nostrils, a contrast to the odor I was accustomed to. I could feel warmth and a hint of slight discomfort from something that was stuck in my arm but it wasn't a big deal.I slowly forced my eyelids open, wanting to catch a glimpse of my environment and my gaze was rewarded with pure white ceilings with carefully illustrated designs that were drawn out in flower patterns beckoning my fingers to trace their outlines and marvel at the art work.When looked to the side, I could see the sunlight streaming through the large window, its warm rays illuminating the room and creating an inviting atmosphere, and my gaze extended to the lush view of a castle on sight.It was gigantic, its walls and towers standing tall and Magnificent peeking from within the greenery surrounding it.I looked back to the room, the incandescent space with walls painted of
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