CelineMy water broke. Pain.It ripped through me so suddenly, knocking away the oxygen in my lungs. A sharp gasp left my lips as I felt the warmth run down my legs, soaking my thin dress.My heart stopped. No. Not now. Not when I was still alone.I let out a shaky breath as I pressed a hand to my belly. The baby shifted as if sensing my fears. I clenched my jaw, blinking away the fresh batch of tears. I couldn’t afford to panic.I couldn't, because I was alone, and no one could help. I had to give birth to this baby, alone.“Okay, Celine. You can do this.” I encouraged myself as I whispered the words into the empty room, my voice trembling as I pressed a shaky hand against my belly. This time, I was unprepared as a contraction tore through me, sharper this time, and my knees buckled underneath me, causing me to fall with a cry.Tears burned my eyes. My body trembled.I was alone.Completely, utterly alone. And it was all my fault. I should have never let Neil sneak me out. But beca
Not now. Not when I was still so weak. Not when my baby had just entered this world.The door rattled again, and I hurriedly searched the whole room for the escape hatch. I can't believe he found me. But as much as I loved him, I couldn't let him take me.I committed treason twice, there was no way they wouldn't take Arienne away from me and I would rather hide for the rest of my life than let my little light go.“Open up this door in the name of the king!” The rattling continued but I hurried my actions as I placed Arienne on the floor beside me as I struggled to open the hatch despite the burning in my limbs.The door was beginning to give out, the locks giving out under the force of their kicks.The latch finally opened and I carried Arienne in my arms and crawled through the dark hole the latch led to. The gravel and sand dug into my knees and elbows as I struggled to crawl with a baby and indescribable pain, but I refused to be caught.But my face paled as I got to the end of the
KaidenThe minute I woke up, the pain was the first thing I felt. Was I not supposed to be healed now? Mirena was clear, after the ritual, I should be healed.But I pushed it away as I remembered. Celine. I had to know if they had found her.A groan left my lips as I tried to sit up, the pain making it almost impossible.“Kaiden.”I heard Sheila’s voice from the corner of the room, and for the first time since I woke, I checked my surroundings.I huffed as she walked towards me, and helped me into an upright position. “Help me up,” I commanded. “I have to see if my men are back.” Sheila hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. “You’re in no condition to–”“I don’t care,” I snapped, uninterested in her persistent badgering. “Help me up.”She sighed but reached for my arm, letting me lean on her as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. I held down a groan, my fingers gripping the sheets so tightly as the pain doubled.“You’re too stubborn for your good,” she muttered, adjusti
KaidenMirena stood before me, her eyes white as she cast the spell to confirm.She was taking too long. My patience was wearing thin. My wolf was bloodthirsty, its rage distracting me completely from the cuts on my chest.IIt's been fifteen minutes since Mirena started searching for her ‘Soul in the void’, and I was done waiting.“Fuck it, I am leaving.” I turned on my heel, my body tense, ready to shift if it meant reaching the cliffs faster.“Kaiden be patient, she's almost done-” Sheila started to go after me but a growl from me silenced her.“Do not forget your place, Sheila.” Sheila stiffened, her gaze falling to the floor. I started to leave but a gasp from Mirena had me freezing in my steps.“I cannot sense her, your highness.” Her solemn voice reached my ears, and in a split second, everything was a world away.I turned, my breathing paused, my heart hammering against my ribs. "What did you just say?" Mirena’s glowing eyes faded back to their natural color. "I have searched
Chapter 64SheilaKaiden going rabid was not in my deck of cards, but that was not my worry. I did not even care for that, as I fought to contain my joy.But I couldn't show it right now, not when everyone was here, trying to make sure I was okay and safe.“The king has gone mad with grief.” Lord Vaughn sighed as he ran a hand on his face. “We cannot hide this from the whole kingdom. They already knew Something was going on with the guards rushing to and fro the past few days. They will start to ask questions and–”“Is that all you care about? The King’s reputation? He lost his mate and heir and the first thing you mention is that crap?” Damon interrupted Lord Vaughn, his eyes blazing with anger.Lord Vaughn’s face reddened. “No, not at all, Beta. What I am trying to say is–”“No one gives a shit what you want to say or what you feel you mean. I do not want to hear any reputation shit from you or any other council member until the king is fine. Tell the kingdom whatever you want to te
SheilaI wished I could save the memory of the blood on his face draining so I could watch it on a loop."You’re lying," he ground out, his voice scratchy and filled with hatred. "You always lie."A chuckle left my lips as I watched him desperately try to act like he wasn't scared that I was telling the truth."Oh, but this time, I'm not," I cooed, my fingers lightly trailing over the cold iron bars separating us. "Ask anyone. She’s gone. Kaiden lost his mate and heir in one fell swoop. " I let my smirk widen. "You should know, Neil, I always win."Neil stiffened, his eyes widening as he realized I was not lying. He stood to his feet and rushed towards me, his eyes blazing with anger.“You are lying. No, I mean no one, is that evil!” he yelled, pulling violently on his chain. “You deserve to die!” Mirena stepped forward, stretching out her hand to push me behind her to protect me, and her other hand outstretched.“I could cause you unimaginable pain if you do not step back this insta
[pChapter 66KaidenI didn't know how long I spent at the edge of the cliff, frozen and cold, unsure how to survive after everything I had lost. It was almost pointless to live when everything worth living for was gone. I lost count of the number of hours I spent at the edge, numb and unfeeling, staring into the abyss below, imagining how it must have felt in their final moments.A child born into this world just to be painfully taken away from it. I just knew she did everything to protect him. I wish she didn't run… I wish she didn't back me into a corner with the circumstances of Anya’s death, never fully telling me the truth.I wish she trusted me.No, I would never know what happened to Anya, or why she refused to admit she killed her, or how she killed her without a weapon. I wished I knew why doubted Celine could murder Anya. I wish I was more careful. If I was, my mate wouldn't have been taken from under my very nose. I always let everyone down, and I hated myself for that. I
Celine A gasp left my lips as I jolted awake, scrambling up from the bed I lay on in shock. I took in oxygen greedily, my throat scratchy from the dryness. My heart pounded wildly against my ribs, my body trembling from something I couldn’t yet understand.Where was I? I couldn't recognize the room I lay in. It looked like a room in the palace, but far nicer.My eyes widened as the realization set in that I was in a strange place, the last thing in my memory being the Dark soldier saving us, then opening a porta beneath my feet, and then.. a wild gasp left my lips as I shot up to my feet.My Arienne was no longer in my arms. Panic bloomed wildly in my chest I scored the whole room, my body trembling.“My baby. Someone took my baby!” I cried as I ran to the door, but before I could yank it open, it opened from outside and three women in uniform entered, their eyes wide with shock, and Arienne in one of their arms.“Your Highness! We didn't know you would wake up so early–” I didn't
CelineThe cold was gripping and goosebumps had spread all over my body from how wet I was as we burst out of the cave and made it to the opening. My gasps were swallowed by the amount of water that was crashing into the cave around us. Kaiden’s hand was tightly wrapped around my waist as he held both me and my mother above the raging water as we fought to get to the edge of the hidden passage that had led us into the underwater cave. We had only barely made it out. I looked down at my mother—the woman who had gone against all odds to have me and had risked her life just so I could be protected. She was no unconscious in my arms from the exhaustion of running after only just waking up. Her dark hair was soaked and it clung to her face and I couldn’t help but stare at her and acknowledge just how beautiful she was. I had never thought I would meet my mother or a woman who truly loved me but now, having her in my arms was the best thing ever. “Hold her,” I said as my lips trembled,
Celine“I-I am… I…” I started to say but I was at a loss for words, I quickly raised my hand to my face and wiped my tears away. “That doesn’t matter for now. What is more important is getting you out of here.”“Where are you taking me—“ she started but didn’t let her finish.I stood up straight and gestured for Kaiden to move closer to me. We helped her stand and though her limbs were weak from being unused, we could manage with it. She stumbled but Kaiden caught her and I steadied her, Kaiden looked away from us and towards the other coffin. “What about the other coffin?” He asked as he slightly nodded his head towards it. “It belongs to King Charles and he was the first alpha king. No one has dared to touch it for centuries.”My ears perked up at his words and I couldn’t help the curiosity that flickered inside me. “Let’s check it out,” I said as I looked away from him and stared back at my mother who was now standing by herself. “What if there is something important in there th
CelineOut of nowhere two guards walked closer to us, their steps far and their boots silent against the rocky floor of the cave grounds. I was scared and I hid behind Kaiden almost immediately even though my mask was still hiding my face but my body was exposed from the torn parts of my clothes and I couldn’t risk it.The weight of everything that had been happening pressed heavily in my chest and I couldn’t wait to see all that was hidden beneath the surface of the cold and possibly cursed cave. Kaiden walked away from me and the guards stood at attention as he addressed them. I had no idea what they had discussed or the other he had given them but with a single wave of his hand, the guards bowed and turned away without a backward glance.He walked over to me and flashed me a bright smile. “I told them that I had important things to do here and being the one in charge of the key to the cages, they didn’t question it,” he said in a soft tone, slightly gesturing towards the inner are
Celine “So you have superpowers?” He asked as he couched an eyebrow at me. I shrugged in response. “I mean… it’s not like I can fly or anything but I can tell when something is wrong. I can feel the lies in someone’s words. Turn into a ghost and walk past people without being noticed and many more. It’s not what I expected but I was more than happy to discover them.”“That’s not fair,” he said under his breath, pretending to be angry and offended. “I only just got better at swordplay and being part of a team.”I laughed, really laughed, hard and aloud. Then he grinned like he hadn’t seen me smile in forever and he was happy to see me smile again. And honestly, he hadn’t. Then, the smile slowly faded from his face and his voice became quiet once again. “Anya. What really happened between the both of you…”I nodded as I let out another sigh for the umpteenth time. “Like I told you, I have powers that I didn’t understand then and that time she put my life at risk so the soldier that
CelineThe sun was starting to set and starts were beginning to litter across the night sky. Kaiden hadn’t let go of my hand ever since we sat down on the blanket he had placed on the rooftop. And I didn’t want him to, not yet. Maybe not ever. He kept stealing glances at me like he couldn’t belive that I was real or even alive. Maybe I couldn’t either. After everything that had happened, being here together in the quiet after the raging storm felt like I was waking up from a nightmare and walking into something that felt peaceful and out me at ease. I still couldn’t believe that not only had Kaiden sent the dress to me, he had also planned out a picnic for us to bond and talk. I owed him the truth. All of it without holding any bit of information back. “I hve to tell you everything now,” I finally spoke up, my voice that was barely above a whisper slicing through the quiet and silent night air. “No more lies or hiding.”His hand tightened around mine, squeezing it reassuringly. “I
Kaiden“Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear what I was saying?” Lucan barked. I didn’t listen to him, I couldn’t hear him over my raging anger. “Let’s go,” I said as I turned to Celine, grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her towards the door. I paid no attention to him, not his bedding, not his cursing nor the malicious words he spat out as we walked out of his room. Nothing mattered to me except the woman whose hands shook in mine. Her breath was coming out in soft shallow gasps and the beautiful mask on her face was out of place with her dress torn. Seeing her so silent and shaky broke my heart into a million pieces. Lina. Celine. She was real. Alive and in my hands. And I had almost lost her again to the stupid man. I barely knew where I was headed nor did I notice the staircase that we stepped on as I led upward—past the chambers set aside for kings and alpha, the meeting halls and through a hidden door that no one else but me knew existed. It was a shortcut I had used to esc
Celine I ran away from the ballroom breathlessly, bumping into anyone who stood my way as I turned the corridors, wanting to get as far away as Kaiden as I could. “I’ve always loved you and had hoped you were still out there…”His words echoed in my head and no matter how much I tried to stop it, it didn’t. My heart was pounding and I was terrified, Kaiden knew. He had known all along even when I had tried my best to hide it. And worse than that was the realization that the time that I thought I had was slipping out of my hands. Stop! Focus Celine, you have to get the key before we’re exposed, the tiny voice at the back of my head echoed. I stopped running, my heart was still racing as I tried to catch my breath. I had run as far away as I could and I needed to remain level headed and calm for the next step in my plan. There was absolutely no reason for me to barge into Lucan’s room out of breath and anxious, he would definitely think something was up and I couldn’t risk it. I
KaidenCeline and I glided across the dance floor, we were in sync like we were born to do this. We fit perfectly and I couldn’t help but admire how beautiful she looked in the dress I had picked just for her. I knew she might have been wondering who had sent her the dress but I could tell realization had dawned on her and she knew who it was when she set her eyes on me. I felt a strange sense of tranquility settle over me. For the first time in months, I felt complete and I felt at peace. The music played on and we kept dancing but I didn’t want the night to end, hell I didn’t want to stop dancing with her. There was something about the way she moved and the way her finger trembled slightly in mine. It made my chest ache, not from pain but from joy and familiarity. I had underestimated just how much I had missed her and now that I had her back in my arms, I didn’t want to let go. Not for anything. Her fingers slightly trembled in my hands and my chest ached with familiarity. I
CelineI walked into the grand halls, my steps were light but filled with purpose. The room was decorated beautifully and as I stepped further into the room, the light radiating from the chandelier caught into the sun themed design of my dress. It was golden, amber and radiant and I couldn’t help but admire the intricate designs of the gown. I felt and looked both elegant and powerful. I was unrecognizable, even to myself and if I couldn’t recognize myself then no one would. Focus on finding Lucan and not admiring yourself, a tiny voice at the back of my mind said, reminding me of what I was truly there for. I couldn’t help but feel nervous as I went over my plan of seducing Lucan, getting every information about the key and cage from him and then going to release my mother so we could escape. But despite my anxiety, I was determined to follow through with my plan. Letting out a deep breath, I walked to the corner of the room and my eyes started scanning the length of the room. It