Kaiden Tonight's banquet was meant to celebrate our victory in war, a hard-fought triumph that secured the kingdom's power. The grand hall was filled with nobles, warriors, and Alphas and Lunas from across the realm. Goblets clinked, laughter echoed, and music played, yet I found myself only half-engaged. My mind drifted elsewhere, specifically to a certain stubborn woman who was not in attendance and I haven't been able to get out of my mind. Princess Anya stood beside me, her arm looped through mine as she played the perfect hostess, but I knew her well enough to see through her act. Her grip was just a bit too tight, and the way her lips curled into a forced smile was way too similar to her father’s angry grimace. But I did not feel any need to console her. The last thing I wanted was for her to think I would take her ill treatment of my mate in stride all because she was my niece. “Uncle,” She called out sweetly, but I knew her enough to detect the venom in her words. “Yes
Celine Staying in my room while the festivities went on in the hall was torture. Has Kaiden introduced his fiancée yet? Was Anya telling the truth? Those questions tumbled back and forth in my mind, and I couldn't keep still. I couldn't just sit here while my mate might potentially be introducing his fiancée to the whole kingdom, while I deceived myself into thinking we were more than what I felt we were. And after tossing and turning, I couldn't take it any longer. I pulled a coat out of my closet and wore it to conceal myself from being recognized before rushing downstairs to see what was going on. The grand hall was more alive than it had been earlier today, and as I stood in the corner and watched, I felt like an outsider. The room was filled with laughter, music, and beautiful wolves. Nobles danced in pairs, warriors boasted of their victories, and servants rushed about, ensuring the guests were well tended to. But none of it mattered. My eyes searched for only one person, a
The laughter and the music of the banquet faded into the background as i laid back in my throne, my gaze fixed on the now-empty space where Princess Lydia had been moments ago. I watched as the servants escorted her away, her spine stiff but her head held high, and i scoffed underneath my breath. Foolish of her to think when i captured her she could be anything but a slave. The days of her being royalty were over and here she would only be regarded as a property, like the ancient china we acquired alongside her. She was nothing more than a captive, a spoil of war, and she would do well to remember that. "Your Majesty, should I have her sent to the servant’s quarters?" One of my guards asked, awaiting my command. I waved him off. "Lock her away for now. She will learn soon enough that she has no right to negotiate with me." The guard bowed and retreated, and I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders. My patience was wearing thin. This night was meant to be a celebration, yet all I co
CelineMy mind was still spinning from everything I had witnessed. Kaiden had chosen his Luna, his queen. And it wasn’t me.I sat on the edge of my bed, my fingers gripping the thin fabric of my blanket. My heart ached, but I forced myself to remain still, to breathe, to not let the emotions consume me. I needed to leave. There was no other choice. Nothing was holding me back. Wiping my tears away, I gave the room one last look. I only liked one night in this palace and that was last night. The bittersweet feeling rushed through me and more tears pushed against my eyelid. I let out a shaky sigh and stood up, steeling myself... Just as I reached for my small bag, the door burst open with a force that sent my heart hammering against my ribs. I barely had time to react before strong arms wrapped around my waist, lifting me off the ground as if I weighed nothing.“Kaiden!” My cry was cut off as he lifted me onto his shoulder, his grip strong and unmoving. I thrashed against him, my fists
CelineThe days had changed since that night, and Kaiden made me his personal maid. My duties no longer revolved around scrubbing floors or taking orders from every noble who deemed me beneath them or every maid who wanted to pick on me. This meant less work, less bullying, and more time with Kaiden. I could see that the other maids hated me now that I was almost untouchable and it felt great to not constantly have to look over my shoulder.That was supposed to be the plan.I hummed happily as I carried Kaiden’s laundry basket to the laundry room, which I've been using constantly because of the things Kaiden did to me in the room. My face reddened as I remembered them, but I cleared my throat and hid my face with my hair as I entered into the laundry room.But the sight before me turned my mod sour. Lydia, the princess turned slave, and her minions, the other slaves that felt intimidated by her because she was a princess and because she was Princess Anya's slave.Lydia was beautiful in
“Who did this to you?” Kaiden’s tone was deadly still as he gripped my chin to see the claw marks on my face. I didn't want him to see the marks, but he demanded to see me and the marks were taking forever to heal.I didn't want him to make a big deal out of it. It only made things worse. I wanted to handle it myself. “Kaiden.. I can handle it okay? You don't have to.”“I said, who did this to you?” he gripped my jaw tightly and I could see his wolf flash behind his eyes.If I didn't tell him, he was just going to get it out of me so I sighed. “Lydia. But to be fair, I said mean things-”“I do not care. I’m going to make that spoilt princess see what happens when you cross me.”"Where is she?" His voice was dangerously low, a growl rumbling from deep in his chest.I grabbed his wrist, trying to soothe him. "Kaiden, please. It’ll only make things worse."His piercing gaze snapped to mine. "For who? You?" His thumb brushed over the drying blood on my cheek, his expression unreadable. "
KaidenThe council summons came shortly after the incident in the hall, not at all taking me by surprise. Lydia was a princess before I turned her into a slave, and in the order of importance, she was above Celine. And slamming her against the pillar, reminding everyone that she was beneath Celine, was a statement.A declaration.I had made it clear that Celine was untouchable. I had shown that Celine was my weakness.And the council would never allow that.And I was sure Anya had a major part to play in the summons. Anya hated being told no and not getting her way.“That’s okay, you can take your leave.” I dismissed my beta, who gave Celine a weary glance before leaving. The door shut behind my beta, plunging Celine and me into a tension filled state of silence.I watched her as she stared out of the window at nothing in particular, and I was sure if I listened closely, I could hear the gears of her head overworking."You have to leave for the council," she stated, not asked.“They ca
AnyaI watched as my uncle Kaien stormed out of the council chambers with anger. The very thing I feared was happening before me. Celine having control of my uncle and rendering me unimportant to him. I wanted my uncle back. And I needed Celine out. That bloodsucking pest had to go, permanently. I just had to think of a way that didn’t point back to me.Elder Vaughn sighed, rubbing his wrinkled temple. “We've tried her best. May the moon goddess help us during his reign.”I stood up abruptly, my jaw with determination. “Not on my watch would i let him destroy what my parents worked so hard for and died to protect. He's not making her Luna. i'll make sure of that.”Celine thought she was safe.She thought Kaiden’s protection meant she was untouchable.How naive.I twirled my wine glass between my fingers, watching the crimson liquid swirl like blood. It was almost poetic. Soon, Celine’s downfall would be just as fluid, just as inevitable.The scent of lavender and honey filled the air a
CelineHades let out a weary sigh, his grip tightening slightly on my hand before he let it go, stepping back as if putting space between us would soften the truth he was about to tell me. The Dark Knight remained silent, his presence almost forgotten.I crossed my arms, my heart pounding. “Well?”Hades ran a hand down his face, his expression hardening. “I did give up my power on Earth for you. For you both.”My breath hitched. “Then what happened?” Hades sighed. “Rosa, your beautiful mother was pregnant.”I stared at Hades, my mind struggling to process the weight of his words. "Pregnant? You mean... my mother was carrying another child?" My voice trembled with grief. “How?”Hades nodded, his eyes dark with memories. "Yes, Celine. Your mother was expecting. In her defiance of Selena’s cruel demands, Rosa came to hell one last time, and we had one last night together. I…" Hades’ voice broke. “I had no idea how she found her way down here, and I hoped we wouldn't get caught… it was a
KaidenFor days I haven’t been able to get up from my bed. I just couldn’t, despite all that Damon said that night. And to make it worse, Everytime I closed my eyes, I saw her. I saw her in other people, I mourn our child, the one I wasn’t able to meet.And I just couldn’t stop perceiving her scent. Her scent was everywhere and I was convinced it was karma, to smell her everywhere and not touch her. Sheila had been so helpful, taking control of what I was usually meant to do, and taking care of me. She was the closest thing I had to a comforter, and it was funny how it was the person who she hated the most that was helping me out of this difficult time.But Sheila had redeemed herself. After that uncomfortable situation we had few days ago, she reduced her contacts, only providing me with what I needed. I appreciated that.I wished it didn’t hurt this much. Chasing Celine to her death. I took in a shaky breath as I stood in her room, wanting to surround myself with the last place she
Sheila“Your highness, The pesky beta is beginning to suspect us sooner than you expected he would.”My hand stilled on the magazine I was flipping through, my jaw pausing on the fruit I had in my mouth. Well, I expected sooner or later Damon would figure something out. He had that annoying quality about him. I hated that quality. If he were to be by my side, I would have loved it.“What did he do, Mirena?” I continued browsing my magazine, enjoying the fruits as two maids gave me a pedicure and a foot massage. They were maids that Mirena spelled to forget whatever they heard going on here the minute they left because I decided killing everyone would spark curiousity. And I couldn’t afford that. I was so close to getting everything I wanted.Mirena moved from her position from the shadowed corner of my room and into my focus. “He followed me out into the woods last night. I think he’s beginning to realize something is going on, probably because of my extended stay.”I dropped the mag
CelineI twirled the ring on my finger, feeling the smooth metal as my mind raced with numerous thoughts. I didn't find Mika and Neil, which made me hopeful, but I couldn't stop thinking about things and my encounter with Anya. Could I fix things with Kaiden? Would this ring be my key to getting my family back? But what of Sheila? Did Kaidenn love her now? Was he searching for me for any other reason except his child? Was giving him this ring worth the risk of going back?We stopped at the door of the castle, Evelyn, Bridgett,e and Penny giving me tentative glances while the demons played with Arienne, turning out to be big babies after all.“Your Highness,” Bridgette spoke out in a small voice as I glared at the door. “Are you not going in?”Her question repeated in my mind. I may have judged Hades too fast, it seemed. Even when he was forbidden from contacting me in any way, he was still watching over me. He not only sent a knight who intervened when bad things happened but, he als
Chapter 76CelineI could not believe my eyes or my ears as i ran to the direction of the voice that haunted me for five years as i suffered in humiliation and labor from my former best friend turned enemy.I could not believe that the reason my whole life turned apart, and my own mate hated me, was down here in hell, suffering. And now, she was here. Chained. Filthy. Beaten down by the same darkness she once used to destroy me.I should have felt satisfied. I should have felt like justice had finally been served. But instead, all I felt was anger.I stormed away from the demons and towards the ones who tortured Anya, ignoring the sounds of Evelyn and Bridgette behind me. I had a million things to say to her. I wanted to ask her why she hated me so much. Why she had to destroy my life even if it meant losing hers? I wanted to know if she was happy i lost everything. Many nights, I fought with her in my head.Why was i never good enough for you? Why did you think i didn't deserve Kaide
Celine“Oh my goddess!” I screamed as the demons walked into the room, my whole body vibrating, almost as if I had no idea demons lived in hell, and I'd been in it for hours. Evelyn jumped to my side, griping my shoulders as I backed away from them, scrambling away to a hiding place. “Please calm down, Your Majesty! They are here to protect you, not harm you! King Hades sent them for your protection!”I barely registered Evelyn’s words over the hammering of my heart. My breath came in short, sharp gasps as I pressed my back against the wall, my limbs trembling uncontrollably.The demons stood at the door, their eyes filled with eerie stillness and coldness as their towering figures claimed the space of the room. Their claws were long and sharp, skin blacker than coal, limbs an unnatural amount, and sharp horns on their heads. I clenched my hands into fists, trying to keep them from shaking, but my body refused to listen. My entire being screamed at me to run, to get as far away fro
DamonThe drop of blood on Sheila’s collar was too small for anyone to see, even the King if he was in his right mind. However, I spent most of my life training to see what others would not see because it was my fate to protect the king. Protecting the king was my priority in life, followed by my interests.So the drop couldn't just get past me. The scariest part? It was dried blood. And there was no way an injury she had could give her such a small amount of blood.This led me to remember that night I saw her after dark in the yard with a dark figure, I figured was the witch I trusted with nothing. I wouldn't have believed that she was right about Celine if she wasn't right about her location and my men didn't see blood flow in the waters just after her screams.I paused in my urgent steps in the middle of the cold hall, my heart plummeting to the ground as my breath seized in my throat.No… could it? No.I suggested Sheila as the queen because of the intensive background check I con
Celine“Could you explain to me how hell works? Is it every soul who dies that ends up here?” Evelyn looked up in shock as she was expecting me to say anything since I shut them out hours ago, but my curiosity had taken the best of me, I wanted to know and I was in no mood to ask Hades. Bridgette and Penny gave us their attention as Evelyn cleared her throat, putting down the yarn and wool she was working on. She studied me for a moment as if deciding how much she should reveal. Then, with a sigh, she clasped her hands together and leaned forward.“No, not every soul ends up here,” Evelyn began. “Hell isn’t just a pit where the damned are thrown. It’s… layered, stand ructured. A place of consequence.”Bridgette and Penny exchanged glances but remained silent, allowing Evelyn to continue.“The souls that come here either belong to those who have done unspeakable things in life, those who owe a debt to the gods, or those who have unfinished business.” She glanced at Bridgette and Pen
KaidenWith Damon’s help, I headed back to the palace with only the hope that I could ever forgive myself for all that had happened. I may be living, but I felt like nothing but dead inside, with no will to live on.“You need to be a king, Kaiden. You need to find a reason to get up every morning, for the people who died.”I had to prove to my child I never met that I was not a bad father. If I knew she was going to fall… if I knew she was so scared of her life here that it ultimately led to her death… I would have done things differently. Now I had to spend the rest of my life wishing and wishing that I did things differently. It was not enough punishment for what I had caused. The pain was not enough punishment, even the barbaric ritual wasn't enough pain. I needed something to punish me for the things I had caused because I would drive myself crazy with guilt. As soon as the doors to my chambers, Sheila leaped up from where she was seated and ran to me, her eyes filled with unsh