[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
Chapter 68CelineBridgette and Evelyn led me toward a private door to a bathing chamber, the air inside filled with the scent of lavender and honey. A grand bathtub stood at the center, steam rising from the water in iit It was the most luxurious thing I’d ever seen, the tub plated with gold and marked with markings.“You don’t have to worry, my lady,” Evelyn placed an assuring hand on me, as she sensed my hesitation. “The water here does not burn. It soothes, restores, and replenishes your strength.”I swallowed and nodded, stepping forward. As if they had rehearsed it a thousand times, Bridgette and Penny helped me remove the tattered remains of my dress, their hands gentle and soft I was too exhausted to feel embarrassment. Instead, I focused on the warmth that seeped into my bones when I sank into the water.For the first time in what felt like years, I let myself breathe. No running. No suffering… Just peace.I felt Evelyn put fragrant oils into my hair, her touch so careful it
CelineMy heart pounded loudly in my ears as I stared at The king in shock, unsure if I heard his words right. “What… what do you mean?” I stammered, my words jumbling together.He pulled away, gesturing for the seat beside his chair, “Please sit closer to me, Celine. We have a lot to talk about, many things that wouldn't make sense, but at least you would finally understand the truth about yourself and why you are different from others.”He sat at the edge of the table and stared at me as he waited for me to take my seat, but I was frozen in place, confused, and utterly lost.“Celine?” The king called out, knocking me out of my reverie. “Please, let me explain better. I know you are shocked.”I shakily took my seat, the food turning unappetizing despite the growling of the creature called my stomach. Just yesterday an actual creature was in it, but today, I felt almost no pain. It didn't make sense. And this man who was currently staring at me with concern in his eyes was the answer
CelineThe question had been one I wanted to ask since the beginning of the story and as I guessed, was more complicated than I could even Imagine.Hades sighed, rubbing his temple. "I never left willingly, Celine. By the gods, I tried. But Rosalind knew the dangers. She made me promise to stay away, to let her raise you as a werewolf. She believed it would keep you safe. And she was right. If anyone had known the truth about you..."His fingers curled into a fist, his jaw tightening. "You would have been hunted, Celine. Not just by gods, but by creatures who despise the balance between life and death. Creatures who would see you as an abomination, an error of existence that needed to be erased. I couldn’t risk it."I bit my lip, my thoughts spiraling. "But something changed, didn’t it? Otherwise, you wouldn’t be telling me all of this now."He nodded, his expression grave. "Yes. The veil of protection I put off you shattered, and Celeste, the moon goddess, found Rosalind. She was fur
CelineMeeting my biological father, the literal king of the underworld was nothing like I thought it would be. The bright side is that I knew why he gave me up, and I have closure on it. He sacrificed being in my life just to keep me safe. But on the other hand, I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that he watched Rosalind, my mum, kill herself and do nothing about it. Did they not say love is sacrifice? Could the king of the underworld not risk chaos in the whole of Olympia, just to save the woman he loved from killing herself and putting me in that horrid family?But was it not also love, to sacrifice one love for another love? Was it not love when I sacrificed staying and convincing Kaiden to choose to love me instead of honoring his sister? Was it not love when I struggled to protect him from ultimately building resentment up in himself for himself?Was it not love when Niel sacrificed his and Mika’s safety just for my freedom?Was that not the point of it?I pushed the thoug
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
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
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