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
Celine“Are you sure about this, Kaiden? Is it really a good idea to attend Anya’s coming of age party? And as your guest instead of your maid? Isn't that flaunting us in her face? You know she hates me already.” I panicked as I struggled to zip my dress while I stood in front of the mirror.Kaiden let out a small chuckle, looking incredibly handsome as he strode to me wearing his black ceremonial suit. The suit did nothing to hide his muscles, and I hid away my blush as he stood behind me and helped me with my dress.“You worry too much, love. I already assured you it was fine, as a matter of fact, I am sure Anya hates me a whole lot less after all the gifts I got her. I paid a huge sum of money to have her favorite singer here today so this should be the least of her concerns.” Kaiden’s fingers trailed upwards, igniting a flame in me.He placed a kiss on the side of my neck. “You should worry less. I can handle it all, I promise. Trust me” his gaze met mine in the mirror and I smiled
CelineMy head throbbed as I woke up in a dimly lit room, my head heavy and my wrists tied. The air was damp, and the scent of stone filled my nose, but I was unable to trace where I was.How did I get here? What happened? These were the questions I asked myself as I tried undoing the tight binds but they refused to budge. A gasp left my lips as I remembered how I got here, my dress reminded me of the party and the glass of champagne that that servant boy served. I was drugged! But why? What could someone possibly gain from punishing me this way?My thoughts were interrupted as a door opened wide and the sight before me caused my blood to freeze.Liam sauntered into the moldy place with a smirk on his lips. “I am not going to lie doll, when you sent for me to meet you here, I had no idea this was the state I was going to meet you. I am not complaining, I like women who tie themselves up for me.”I glared at him, my body tensing with fury and unease. “I didn’t send for you,” I spat. “Y
Celine“You,” I seethed, my hands shaking. “You set me up.”Anya tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Now, why would I do that? Unless, of course, you have something to be guilty about?”I clenched my fists, barely containing the rage and fear surging through me. “Liam could have…he was going to…” My voice broke, but I forced myself to hold her gaze. “You wanted this to happen to me.”Anya sighed, shaking her head. “Oh, don’t be so dramatic, Celine. I simply provided an opportunity. What Liam did with it was entirely up to him.”Hatred burned through my veins. “You’re a monster.”Anya smirked. “And you, dear Celine, are a nuisance who needed to be put in her place. I am so sick of seeing you in these hallways, parading like you own the place. And uncle doesn't know it but he is better off without you. He just needed my push.”Tears fell from my eyes. “What do you stand to gain from this? Is it so hard to let me love him? Do you hate me that much? We used to be friends.”Her face twist
A sharp breath caught in my throat. My hands trembled. The air was thick with the scent of blood.I didn’t do this.But I didn’t stop it either.The pounding of footsteps thundered through the halls. I turned just as a group of guards rushed toward us, Kaiden leading them unto us. His golden eyes scanned the scene, the lifeless body of his niece, the blood staining the floor, and then me.For a moment, everything was still.Then- “No, Anya!” Kaiden roared as he fell to his knees. “My niece.”His shoulders trembled with grief and his words filled with grief as he reached for her, cradling her body in his arms as if it was going to bring her back, but she was gone. “No… No!” he roared in anger and I shivered in fear as I realized what just happened. I didn't kill Anya, but she’s dead because of me. Kaiden’s only surviving family is dead because of me. “What happened?” His voice was hoarse, barely controlled.I opened my mouth to answer the question, but i couldn't find the words to sa
KaidenThree days had passed.Three days of silence, of grief so heavy it felt like a noose tightening around my throat.Three days of losing the only person I ever trusted and my niece, all because I trusted her. Only because I…I stared at Anya through her glass coffin, my eyes dry of tears. I couldn't cry anymore. She looked peaceful now, dressed in a beautiful royal dress I had custom made for her with the rarest materials-, because she deserved the best. A crown rested on her golden curls, her hands folded over her stomach. She should have been alive, arguing with me, challenging me, defying the world with her sharp tongue and reckless heart.But she wasn’t.My jaw clenched as I reached out, my fingers hovering just above the glass. Cold. Just like the rest of this damn palace. The only source of warmth I had had been snatched from me, and it was all my fault.She didn't stop warning me.“I failed you,” I murmured. The words were bitter on my tongue. “I swore to protect you. And
Celine“Traitor.” the crackle of the whip caused a shiver to run down my spine and I braced myself for the impact of the whip, but that was pointless as a scream tore through me as it tore through my back.“Please!” I wailed as I twisted in agony. Everything hurt. My back trickled with blood and I couldn't imagine how my back must look since this had been going on for the past few days.It turned out I was being treated specially because of the king but the minute he prosecuted me, everything went downhill. I was constantly being tortured and punished and was starved for days on end. I already lost count of the number of days I had spent in the dungeon, and my brain fogged with pain.I could run away. I could pass through these walls and disappear forever and avoid being killed, but what was the point of escaping when it didn't change the outcome? I was a murderer. A part of me, the part I had no idea of murdered Anya.I was a monster with a monster wolf, and I deserved this punishment
Celine Just like Neil said, the trial was indeed two days later. I had no idea two days had passed just like that because I played Neil’s words over and over again, it was almost like he never left.There was something bittersweet about when you are being dragged out to your death when you've spent a greater part of your life wishing to have never been born.Light flooded my senses as they dragged me into the courtroom, and I blinked against its harshness, blinded for a second too long. It had been so long since I had seen anything beyond the darkness of my cell. But as soon as my vision cleared, I soon missed the darkness of my cell. At least no one glared at you with so much hatred and saying all the things you've said to yourself back to you.This time, it was a courtroom filled with Alphas, council members, and nobles and they all glared daggers at me as I was dragged harshly toward the podium where criminals were meant to stand.The air was thick with hostility. It was expected
KaidenI was restless and I couldn’t get my body to calm down so I could go ahead with the next text. My fingers absentmindedly tapped against the table as my legs shook from nervousness. This last test I was going to put her under was the one that would finalize everything. I was already convinced that she was my Celine but this was going to seal it. I was so close to the truth but I was scared, if truly I was right, why was she hiding from me? Did she hate me that much? Or was there another reason?Memories of Celine flooded my mind—I remembered that she was left-handed and she had a certain way she sliced bread and even placed things. It was something I found decanting and used to tease her about nonstop. If Lina was Celine, her hands would give her out. I decided that this was going to be my last test—I was going to observe her muscle memory instead of anything else since I had gotten my confirmations from the previous tests. I watched silently as she brought the dessert to my
KaidenI wrapped my hand around Lina’s—or should I say Celine as I led her down the hallway and back to my room for the meal I proposed we had together. I wasn’t entirely sure if she was truly Celine but my suspicion was growing with each passing minute. No two people could be so similar or even talk the same way plus the scar behind her ear was too similar for it to be just a coincidence. It was the same shape and in exactly the same spot. The familiarity in the way she moved, the way she avoided my eyes whenever she realized I was suspecting her or the way they clouded up like she was avoiding something—hiding a secret tugged at me and I wanted to get to the root of it all. If it was truly Celine, why was she putting up an act? And if my suspicions are wrong, why does everything about her scream at me that she was the one?I was utterly confused and frustrated, I hated not knowing things, I hated not having control but this was a chance for me to finally figure out why she was pr
Celine “Or what Lina?” He asked as he moved closer to me, his voice mirroring the darkness in his eyes. “What would you do to me, hmn?”His voice was dripping with amusement, it was dangerous and I couldn’t help but swallow. I was not only nervous but I knew that the man standing in front of me could ruin my life if he wanted. He stalked closer to me and I kept stepping away from him until my back eventually hit the wall and I realized I had nowhere else to run to. He raised his hand, his smirk still etched on his face as he trapped my head against the with both of his hands. “Cats got your tongue?” He asked, his voice dropping with mockery. “I wonder where your voice has suddenly gone when you were running your mouth just seconds ago saying I better stay away from you.”I remained silent but my resolve didn’t falter. I might be scared of him but I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing it. “You’re lucky that I actually like you,” he continued, his voice even lower t
CelineAlpha Lucan lazily leaned back into the couch as a slow grin crawled onto his face. His eyes were intense as she stared at me, it looked like he was trying to see through me or even figure out what was running through my mind. “Disrespect?” He repeated, his voice was low and mocking as if the thought of a mere maid saying such to him was something he had never believed would happen. Slowly, his eyes roamed over me from my head down to my toes making my skin crawl from disgust. “You wear a mask—probably ashamed of how you look and yet you're acting like you command the room or like you’re higher than me. Isn’t that intriguing?” He asked as he cocked an eyebrow at me. His words hit me like a punch to the stomach but I didn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing my reaction. I kept my face neutral as I stared at him, waiting to hear him say why he had called for me. After a few moments of silence and him realizing that I wasn’t going to say anything, he raised his hand and wav
Celine That was weird. I thought as I cleaned the floor of the ballroom for the end of competition Celebration. Kaiden must have figured out that I was hiding something because of his confrontation but totally freezing up like that after touching my hair? That was weird. Maybe he figured out you were Celine? Silver the ever ghostly ghost wolf whispered, but I shut her to the back of my mind, not interested in that particular sentence. Kaiden did not figure out my identity, I’ve been extra careful. A big part of me felt it was something else, maybe a mindlink message. A push hit me from behind and I stumbeled forward, almost falling flat on my face in the hall. I whipped backwards to see the culprit and it was none other than the boss, Sybil. “You.” She eyed me in disgust, and I stood upright, surprised at her sudden evidence irritation. “Yes, Boss? Is something wrong?” I asked, keeping my voice civil. “Did I do something wrong?”She gave me a once over, then snorted. “Maybe the
Kaiden “What are you looking for, Lina?” I asked the minute she stepped into the room. She froze, her eyes wide, almost as if she was a deer caught in the headlights, which in this case she was.The minute I stepped into the room I noticed the chest I placed in a strategic position had been moved, confirming my theory. Lina was looking for something, and I had to know what it was.“W- what?” She stammered, before clearing her throat, “I’m not looking for anything your highness.” She lied through her teeth.My jaw clenched as I looked out the window. I was beginning to finally see the good in someone and then it had to be a spy. Another liar. And after what I’ve been through, I hate lies. Pushing down my frustration, I turned to her. She was in her usual maid uniform, the floral skirt and the damn mask, but I was done with all the anonymity of her whole existence. She was apparently not to be underestimated. “What if I find out you are looking for something?” I met her gaze. “Wha
Celine“Kaiden wait.” An alpha called out and my heart jumped out in shock as i felt their presence just feet away from me.I knew Kaiden was headed to breakfast with the alphas. And the minute i heard, i snuck bak into his roo to search the whole place carefully. But i realized it was a waste o time, and i was going to have a better shot finidng whereever the key ma be from the meeting they were having, so i hid behind some flowers in the garden close to the dining room to listen.But all i could see were egotistic alphas that only craved power. But as Kiaden tood up abruptly and left before i could run away, i just had to hold my breath aand hope he doesnt find me.Last night was strange… After Kaiden slept off, his hand in mine, all i could think off was or conversation. Kaiden thought i was dead. Yes i knew the possibility of them thinking i was dead was high since i disappeared out of nowhere was high, but i thought since Sheila was in power, he wouldnt care if i was dead or not.
Chapter 118Kaiden “You should have killed that bastard Orion once and for all, King Kaiden!” Van protested the minute he and the other Alphas under my kingdom stepped into the dining room to see me and discuss the next competition.There was a day interval between each competition for instances like my injured waist to heal before another tsking competition. However, thanks to Lina's wound-treating skills, I was healed the minute I woke up this morning. I appreciated it because it was a sign of weakness to be injured as the king, and these Alphas were ready at any minute to take up my post and to show they are superior to me the minte they see me down.Lina. The maid I could not seem to figure out. Her similarities to Celine were overwhelming, but I did not want to dwell on them for too long. It seems that I was just missing Celine, and it would be wrong to move on with someone who only reminds me of her, and not someone I care about for herself. So pushed her away to the back of
CelineKaiden did not wait a second more as he was escorted out of the arena, but I noticed the pain in his gaze as he struggled to keep moving forward. He was limping on his right side, blood dripping from his knuckles, the wound on his side gaping, soaking through the fabric of his shirt.The Alphas and the healers rushed to his side to help him, but he shrugged them off and did not allow anyone to help him. “He's hurt, and he's not letting anyone help him,” Tasha whispered beside me.The noise of the arena roared in my ears as I watched him disappear through the corner of his room. Without thinking, I pushed the bodies away and followed him.I know I came here on a mission; I know he's not supposed to know anything about me till I succeed in that mission, but I had to make sure he was okay. The hallway was empty when i got there, and the guards in front of Kaiden’s room stopped me from entering, his eyes stern as he looked down at me. “The king said not to let anyone in.”“What