CelineThe sentence had been given. I would die at dawn.I pressed my forehead against the damp stone, willing myself to disappear. I could disappear. This second, if I willed my wolf, I could run away, but I refused to. So I awaited my death.I was barely able to sleep as waves of nausea hit me over and over, despite not having anything to eat. I suspected my body was rejecting the thought of death when I didn't, but I ignored it. The footsteps came before the light.I barely lifted my head as the heavy door swung wide open and two pairs of boots stopped before me“It’s time,” one of the guards muttered.Hands seized my arms, yanking me forward. I stumbled, my vision swimming, but I kept my head down as they dragged me through the halls.The moment we stepped past the prison gates, the wind shifted.I looked up.The skies had darkened, thick clouds rolling in from the horizon, swallowing the early morning light. A storm was coming.Maybe the Goddess was mocking me.What for? She alre
Kaiden’s POVWatching her at the podium about to be executed was one of the worst moments of my life, but remembering that she was the one responsible for me failing my brother and my niece made watching her about to be executed a little bit easier.But the minute I saw her fall onto the floor, I forgot I was supposed to be hating her and leaped to carry her off the floor.Murmurs echoed around the podium as the crowd stared at me in confusion as I lifted the murderer in my arms.“What are you doing, Your Majesty?” Lord Vaughn asked incredulously, but I ignored him as I faced the podium to address the crowd.“The prisoner has fallen unconscious. We shall return when she is conscious. Do not fear, justice shall be served.”Then I rushed to the clinic urgently.Celine’s body was limp in my arms, her face pale, sweat beading along her temple. She looked so fragile, nothing like the traitor I had convinced myself she was.I clenched my jaw. This should not be happening.I should be relieve
Celine The next few days I spent in the clinic to make sure the baby and I were healthy were both monotonous and boring, but I was finally able to move past the initial shock of being pregnant. I couldn't believe I was carrying a child. The circumstances were unfortunate, yes, but I couldn't believe I almost killed my child because of my guilt. I could never forgive myself for entertaining that suicidal thought for one moment, and I cried wondering how it would have turned out being if I hadn't fainted just before the execution. I would have two dead people on my hands. This baby was my saving grace, my second chance, and yes I do not deserve to have something special in my belly as a murderer, but this was the best thing to happen to me. My wolf refused to communicate with me because of my suicide mission and I understood. But without this child, I have no will to live. I was tempted to run away, but with Kaiden’s child in my belly, I was a target. He would hunt me down to the ends
CelineI woke up to the feeling of being carried in the arms of someone, and immediately, his scent invaded my senses. My eyes flew open to see Kaiden carrying me onto the couch in his office, barking orders to the guard to bring in Healer Magnus.“Call him here this instant!”There was a hint of worry in his tone, which was ironic because, moments ago, he ordered me to respect Sheila, the person who destroyed my whole life. The person he was planning to marry.In anger, I rose from the couch, but a pain shot through my skull, and I winced, gripping my head.“You should sit still,” Kaiden ordered, placing a hand to push me back into the chair, but I swatted his hand away in annoyance.“Leave me the hell alone, Kaiden. I do not need your help,” I scowled at him.My actions did not go unnoticed by my parents and Sheila, and Mother’s shrill voice echoed in the room. “How dare she treat you that way? You should put her in her place since she lacks manners!”I rolled my eyes, frustration ev
CelineThe house was guarded all day round, a treatment befitting the pack's most notorious criminal. It was a hilarious situation, but I could not bring myself to laugh because nothing was funny to me, not when everything kept getting worse every minute I opened my eyes. Ever since that day, I had been alone in the house, my meals and drugs being delivered by different maids or was it the same maid I never really paid attention.Nothing really mattered since I was trapped in solitude, but I could not think of anything else except my stupid family snatching sister and her claws on my mate who hated me.I wished I could understand what the shadow soldier was and how I could summon it. I wished I had understood my wolf and how it worked before that day. Maybe just maybe Anya would still be alive and I would be with Kaiden.Sick of crying myself to sleep, I sat in the room, facing the windowsill like I did every evening. But today was a different evening. It was Sheila and Kaiden’s engage
KaidenMy mind was plagued with a variety of thoughts as I stormed out of Celine’s house. I hated the way she got under my skin so effortlessly. I hated how much control she had over me without even trying. I mean, she was not with me, and I was still thinking about her. It infuriated me to no end.I pushed every thought of her to the back of my mind and walked back to the party, but even the party infuriated me to no end. Sheila’s family were the most obnoxious and selfish people I knew, but I had to marry into their family. Sheila seemed like the exception. A pretty young lady with grace and charm, someone I could have built a relationship with if Celine had not plagued every corner of my heart. Maybe this was what I needed to get her out of my mind. I needed to move on.“Your Majesty! Where have you been? Your bride has been looking everywhere for you!” Sheila’s mother smiled at me, but I could barely tolerate the look of happiness in her eyes as she mentioned the bride. They raised
KaidenSheila looked at me as I stood frozen as I realized what she was asking of me and for the first time, I really looked at her. She was completely made up, her body rubbed with glitter and her scent of exotic flowers. Her face was stained with blush as she avoided my stare and I suddenly reminded myself that she was to be my queen. This isn't unusual. It was a chance to finally move on.“This is undeniably bold of you.” A ghost of a smirk appeared on my lips as I took my place on the chair, as she requested of me.Sheila let out a soft, nervous laugh, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I just thought… since we are to be married, we should at least start getting comfortable with each other.”Her voice was gentle, laced with an innocence that should have soothed me. It didn’t.I leaned back in the chair, watching as she hesitated before stepping closer. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached for the ribbon at the front of her gown, her blush deepening as she worke
CelineA knock pulled me out of my deep sleep, and I groaned as I pulled myself up from the lounging chair where I had fallen asleep while reading my novel.Who could it be? I asked myself as I got to my feet. I knew it could not be Kaiden. He stormed in whenever he pleased, like I was some property. Sometimes I wondered if that man was a King or a bull.But who could it be at this hour of the night?I held up my unrealistic romance novel as a weapon to shield me against the intruder if there was one.As if poetic declarations of love would stop an actual threat.Where were the guards when there was an actual threat? Or did the threat take down the guards too?The knock echoed through the room once more, softer this time, but it did nothing to reduce my unease.I swallowed. My fingers curled around the handle, hesitating for a beat. Then, in one swift motion, I yanked the door open.And froze.The person in front of me took a step forward, and a smile curved on his lips.“I am so glad
CelineHades let out a weary sigh, his grip tightening slightly on my hand before he let it go, stepping back as if putting space between us would soften the truth he was about to tell me. The Dark Knight remained silent, his presence almost forgotten.I crossed my arms, my heart pounding. “Well?”Hades ran a hand down his face, his expression hardening. “I did give up my power on Earth for you. For you both.”My breath hitched. “Then what happened?” Hades sighed. “Rosa, your beautiful mother was pregnant.”I stared at Hades, my mind struggling to process the weight of his words. "Pregnant? You mean... my mother was carrying another child?" My voice trembled with grief. “How?”Hades nodded, his eyes dark with memories. "Yes, Celine. Your mother was expecting. In her defiance of Selena’s cruel demands, Rosa came to hell one last time, and we had one last night together. I…" Hades’ voice broke. “I had no idea how she found her way down here, and I hoped we wouldn't get caught… it was a
KaidenFor 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 she
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 mag
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 als
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
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
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“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
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