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
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
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“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
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
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 also
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
Kaiden For 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
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
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?
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