Celine His hand trembled lightly as he reached for my slightly large bump, and I unknowingly held my breath. Goosebumps erupted all around my arms as his hand landed softly on my belly, and I gasped lightly as no one has ever touched my belly since I got pregnant. But Kaiden’s reaction completely caught me off guard.His eyes widened with shock, and a soft smile widened his lips as he rubbed my belly softly. As if feeling the presence of it’s father, ny baby licked lightly again, and again.A hearty laugh left Kaiden’s lips as he placed his head on my bump. “Hey baby. It’s daddy.” His words caused my heart to leap in my chest. Daddy. It had a nice ring to it. The baby thought so too as it kicked again, and I imagined that as it leaping for joy as it was hearing its father's voice for the first time. Kaiden chuckled and then sighed as his eyes rose to meet mine, with so much tenderness in them.“I wish I could do this every day.” He softly said as he grazed my belly. The emotions
Celine I broke down on the floor of my room as Kaiden left, and I struggled to accept the words he said overnight, causing me to lay in the floor and cry for hours. He was getting married to Sheila? He came here to get me to confess… then when I didn’t tell him the truth he made up his mind to marry Sheila?My heart couldn’t handle any of this. I wheezed as the tears refused to stop flowing. I should have explained what happened that night in any way I could.But it didn’t stop it from being my fault. Because of this, I was losing Kaiden forever.I could call him back and tell him, but what if he sees me as a worse monster? What if he kills my child because he feels my child would have the soldier in it too?Kaiden wasn’t that sort of wolf, but that’s all my wolf has been saying. Silver never speaks, but the one thing she made me swear was that I would never tell anyone about her so I wouldn’t die.I couldn’t put my baby in danger.But that meant I was losing Kaiden to Sheila. The pa
Kaiden “Do you accept Sheila as your lawfully wedded wife and Luna? The future mother of your pups? In sickness and in health, in fitness and obesity?”The whole hall fell pin drop silent as they all stared at me, waiting for my answer on that question that sealed the fates of four people, myself, Sheila, my pup and Celine, my mate.Sheila’s eyes stared at me expectantly, her emotions evident in them as she silently prayed I say yes, I do.I didn’t. But I wasn’t alone in this.Sheila’s face began to morph into the one face I wished was here getting married to me and suddenly saying yes seemed like the best thing in the world.But she murdered my neice, I reminded myself despite my inner doubts. I had to let her go. I can’t love someone who I knew nothing about.I blinked and Sheila’s face reappeared, fear in those wide eyes as she realized that I wasn’t mentally present for our wedding.She had no right to be disappointed. I didn’t love her.But heavy was the head that wore the crown
Chapter 44The stench of her perfume filled the room as the dim light of the candle flickered as Sheila’s oiled and glittered body sparkled underneath the rays of the candle. She approached me, her body twisting with each step as an attempt to seduce me, her face stained with faint blush as she tried maintaining eye contact.She was trying to seduce me, and in her head she thought it was a real marriage. As if i could ever love someone who was vain and conceited like she was. I clenched my jaw, irritation and impatience spreading to every corner of my body as I glared at her."Cover yourself," I said coldly. “You are just making a fool of yourself.”Her demeanour cracked and I saw the shame spread all across her features before she pushed it away, a slow smile spreading on her lips as she stood in front of me, her hand reaching out to touch my chest.“You can’t keep pushing me away Kaiden… We are married now. I am your wife. You have to start treating me like one. Stop resisting us.”
SheilaMother told me to get rid of Celine a while ago, but I didn't want to be caught by Kaiden, so I refused, as I watched him leave me in my nakedness, I knew I had to do something. Mother did say that she suspected that Celine was using magic to charm Kaiden. There was no other explanation as to why he must hate me so much. I was done losing to Celine. So I decided on a little plan of my own to make Kaiden see me as his wife, instead of being hung up on that useless step-sister of mine.Now that she has run away, it was the best opportunity. With Celine gone, Kaiden was vulnerable. And I knew the perfect way to turn that in my favor.“Find her for me!” Kaiden roared in the throne room, his face filled with beards, his hair disheveled, and his eyes filled with rage as he paced through the throne room. “It’s been a week and you fools haven't given me a lead!”He hadn't eaten. Hadn't slept. His desperation for Celine was a festering wound and wounds, wounds could be infected.I took
Kaiden Fuck. I cursed in my mind as I waited for Magnus to tell me the health status of Sheila, whose stupidity caused her to fling herself in front of me to save me from a rogue.What was she thinking? I couldn’t even understand the process behind her thoughts, and I just hoped she was alright. Yes she was vain and conceited, but ever since Celine left, she had been nice and helped me get up from the bed in the morning. I summed that all up to be manipulation. Celine was gone and she wanted to take her place, but after last night, I knew no one was stupid enough to jump in front of a rogue just to prove a point.I had no idea why my limbs froze up. Magnus summed it up to be exhaustion and my brain going numb in the presence of trouble, but I was a king, my brain had never gone numb a day in my life.The only explanation I was willing to accept was the exhaustion and that almost cost me my life.My desperation to find Celine almost cost me my life, but I didn’t care. Celine hurt me b
Celine For the past week, breathing was easier in the hidden house Mika and I stayed in to hide from Kaiden and his soldiers. The house was hidden in plain sight with an ancient spell, one that Mika said her grandmother who was a witch used to hide her father and his friends from danger. Mika was able to use a cloaking robe to go in and out of the house to a neighboring market in a pack nearby, and she heard the market ladies talking about how the king had gone crazy looking for a pregnant girl. I never knew he cared enough to look for me, but all that fact made the pain in my chest spread wider and I forbade Mika from telling me anything about it.I hated that I had to run, I hated that I had to raise my child alone, but this was my life now. I had to move on and hope that my child and I were going to be safe in hiding.Mika has been nothing but nice to me, but we didn't have a connection. We could, because all I did was sit at the window and talk to my baby. My
SheilaMy whole body protested and I groaned as I struggled to sit upright on the bed, tired of feeling sorry for myself and internally cursed when I didnt see Kaiden by my bed, hating himself for being weak and loving me for sacrificing my beautiful body to save him from the rogue I set up. “Your Highness. You are up! I am glad the herbs worked–” The bloke stopped talking the minute I raised my hand, and gave him a look to tell him I was not interested.He sobered up immediately.“Where’s my husband?” I asked as I pulled away the IV drip attached to my arm. The sharp sting barely registered. I had more important things to focus on.“The King is in the war chambers, your highness,” the healer answered quickly, bowing his head. “He is planning the next line of action concerning his missing mate–” he paused, uncertainty swimming in his eyes. “Maybe I shouldn't have said that,” he murmured beneath his breath.“Of course, you shouldn’t have,” I said cooly, as I swung my legs over the edg
I shot to my feet. My whole body trembled. “Stop—” Tasha glanced at me in shock, before grabbed my wrist, stopping me. “Thought you were immune to his charms but see you at the edge of your seat.” She smirked at me.“I just hate when people cheat that’s all.” “He’ll be fine.” But even she sounded unsure. My heart pounded painfully against my ribs. Kaiden staggered, his breaths ragged. I could see the pain in the way he held himself, in the stiffness of his movements. But he didn’t fall. He didn’t stop. Kaiden lifted his head, his dark gaze locking onto Orion like a wolf who had just chosen his prey. A slow shiver ran down my spine. Orion charged again. This time, Kaiden let him, not doing anything to avoid the attack, making me nervous for what he planned. At the last second, Kaiden twisted, grabbed Orion by the scruff of his neck, and threw him straight into Darius. The two wolves crashed to the ground in a heap of limbs. The arena exploded into cheers, but I barely he
CelineThe first competition was The Grand Hunt, the first brutal test of skill and survival.The rules were simple:Hunt down the marked beast before anyone else.Avoid the hidden traps scattered throughout the forest.Outrun, outfight, or outsmart rival competitors trying to take you down.The first to bring the beast’s head to the podium wins.Sounds easy? It’s not. The beast wasn’t just any animal, it was enhanced with magic, making it faster, stronger, and deadlier. The forest itself was enchanted, filled with tricks to throw hunters off course.This wasn’t just about strength. It was about instincts, strategy, and knowing exactly when to attack, or when to hide.Each team of Alphas led by the king were to enter into the forest through three individual entrances, and they were allowed to arm each other, but none of them were allowed to kill.Kaiden stood in front of his Alphas, some changed into wolves, and some in human forms, just like the other kingdoms. Kaiden’s kingdom was
CelineThe next morning, i was up and serving Kaiden as soon as possible. The hunting competitin was starting today and it was his first, his brother being the one who used to attend before. I knew this because Anya and i used to be close, before Sheila happened.I knew he might be nervous. He was silent when i entered, and hours after i prepared him for today, so i thought of lifting his spirits with a tea.“Here, your highness,” I said, placing the steaming hot cup of tea on his desk. “This should help you with your tasks for today.”He barely glanced at the cup, focusing on the documents in his hands. “I did not ask for tea.”I almost rolled my eyes, but I stopped myself. “Yes, I just felt it should help. You seem a bit tense, and I thought you might need it.”He turned his attention to the cup, then to me, his eyes searching mine.“Thank you. Seems we have a caring one here.” He said, a ghost of a smile on his lips.I chuckled nervously, sliding my hair out of my face. “No, it's j
Celine“Ugh, I heard some maid got to be the King’s maid even before the darn list came out! And it’s the hot one, not the other married ones.”The room was in a frenzy as soon as that was said, and I groaned, changing into our evening uniform.The list was out, and almost all the girls hated that they were not assigned to the king and were actively hunting for the girl who was the maid. I hated to admit it, but a part of me was overjoyed that no other maid had been assigned to Kaiden. They were ready to take advantage of the fact that he came without a Luna, and that did not sit well with me.Where was Sheila anyway?And why did Kaiden request I be his maid? Was he suspecting me? Of course he was; he caught me eavesdropping on their important meeting. I just had to make sure I stayed out his way, and found the key before anything. I had to be extra careful with my identity. I could not risk anything coming between me getting my mother back.But how do I handle myself being in the s
KaidenThe minute I saw the island, I knew Damon would do anything to be here right now.Luckily for the maids, I did not bring my pig of a beta.The maids were all lined up, and they bowed as I was led into the Castle meeting room. The head maid walked up to me and gave me a bow. “Your highness.” She batted her eyelashes suggestively at me. “Well come.”My gaze schemed over her as the Alphas arrived one by one. I took a seat at the head of the long table, leaning back as the room filled with voices and footsteps. The Alphas greeted each other, exchanging nods and brief handshakes before settling in.Alpha Van sat to my right, his sharp gaze scanning the room. “Let’s get this over with,” he muttered. “We all know why we’re here.”Damon had briefed me on every Alpha and what the Alpha Competition was a front for. The competition held, yes, the prisoners were just as important, but not to us. It was a bigger story entirely, our only job being to hold the key.He also told me the brief o
CelineShould I reveal myself to Kaiden?No. What if he still held a grudge against me for Anya’s death? I touched the ring in my pocket. Would a simple ring convince him or change his mind?A sigh left my lips as Tasha and the other maids chatted as the other Alphas arrived.“I want to serve the king. Maybe he would like me to give him a massage or something.” The maid next to Tasha muttered, and my gaze snapped to her. I didn't want to say anything, but jealousy brewed within me. Tasha chuckled. “He seems so strict. We would have to wait till they were done with their meeting before knowing who we were assigned to. I also would love to show him what I can—”I shut her off, not wanting to hear the rest of that sentence. A meeting. If I could get close enough, I may be able to hear just what they may be talking about, and if there would be a hint to help me with this mission.”The minute all the Alphas stepped into the castle, I knew I had to leave the line of maids to find out more
CelineZeke did not come to see me off. It did not matter because I knew he was going to be listening so he could know when I am in danger.A part of me wished we did not have to leave things the way they were, but Deep down, I knew I was making the right decision. He would always have a space in my heart, but he could not take Kaiden’s space.“Please be careful, Celine.” Father hugged me. “ Are you sure about this? That place... It’s not just dangerous, Celine. It’s a nightmare. There’s a reason no one comes back from there.""I don’t care," I said, my voice unwavering. "She’s my mother. If she’s still alive, then I have to go. I won’t abandon her."He let out a sigh. “If you are in danger, don't forget your training. And call out to Zeke. Hee would answer.”“I would,” I said, holding the strap of my bag tight as I turned to Evelyn, Bridgette, and Penny, who carried Arienna in her arms.“My baby girl.” I cooed at my innocent baby who had no idea I was leaving and she was not going
KaidenI stared at the invitation in my hand. The quadrennial Alpha Hunting Competition, an event that was held every four years, one I had never attended, was starting today, and I was meant to participate, having never gone before. My brother went when he was Alpha, but ever since he died, it did not feel right to take his place.But I had to; I was King, and it was part of it. And to quote Damon, “quit being such an emo, and step out the palace for once.”Ever since we caught Sheila and Neil said the things he had said to me, it was hard to forgive myself for all the destruction to my life, that was all my fault. But I was done sulking. The divorce with Sheila was finalized, and the kingdom accepted the apology I gave tem. The pack was being rebuilt again and the first time in five years, things felt good again in the kingdom.Celine would want me to live again. And this competition seemed like the best way to do so.It sure would be fun to kick the ass of other kings and Alphas,
Zeke’s words caused me to freeze as I stared at him. “What? Pathetic?”"You’re just making excuses because you’re scared to choose me." Zeke’s eyes were filled with pity as he looked at me as if I was a weak, wounded animal."He begged for your love, and you think that means he loved you? No, Celine. He begged because he hated the idea of losing. That’s all you’ve ever been to him. A prize he didn’t want anyone else to have." He took my hand in his. “Let me love you so I can show you what love truly is. Let me, Celine. Does it have to be Kaiden?”I stared at him through tears as he asked me the question I had asked myself every night since I found out I had feelings for Zeke.Why not him? Why not Zeke, who made me believe I could be stronger? Why not Zeke, who protected me? Why not Zeke, who made me reach my full potential?Why not Zeke, who wanted to be with me and who had a space in my heart?I opened my mouth, but no words came. My heart clenched as I looked at him. His eyes were p