Adrian Moretti.Why do I have to get them to soften up to me? There is no need for that. All they need to do is follow me and be the good subordinates they are, nothing more.You might think it is wrong for the king to have these thoughts, but you will understand when we meet the said people. I have a reason for having that belief, a valid reason I would like to believe but you will get it later on.The drive to the restaurant where the reservation as made took a little over twenty minutes away from the resort. We could have just had the meeting there considering everyone is there, but there are too many eyes there, so we are seeking privacy in a place where there will be more security—a place where there are many humans, so we would blend in just like any other humans having business meetings at night.Upon arriving at the restaurant, Caleb remained in the car with the driver leaving Roseline and I to make our way in. When we stepped out and I rounded the car, she slipped her hand ar
37- “Promises.” Adrian Moretti.Alpha Harden chuckled, as if he did not just say something wrong. “I mean…” He grumbled out in his deep voice, his expression filled with amusement. “…I am just relaying the worries of your loyal subjects, Your Highness.” The mocking tone of his is hard to miss. “You were well known for your player ways back in the day, and I am not saying there is anything wrong with having a rendezvous, I mean, who can live with just one woman? Right?” He released another chuckle, somehow the bullshit his mouth is spilling is making sense to his ears.The Alpha beside him, Kieran picked it up from there. “He is right.” He nodded, and though he was not holding up a smile whatsoever, he was not any better than the other man. “It is good to have as many woman as you want, but it is also better to have at least one good one that can hold up the Luna position. And though miss Roseline here has been playing the role, there has been concerns regarding her…origin.”From the
38- “Setting Targets.”Camilla Castello.“That is Alpha Harden of Shadow Hunters and Alpha Kieran of Night Claws.” Cassain said, as both our gazes were fixed on the two men that were just having a meeting with Adrian and Roseline until the two left them alone, and by the looks of it, they were left fuming. “From what I know, Harden is trying to make his daughter the next official Luna Queen,” Cassain added, giving me more information on the two there.I did not ask him, even though I wanted to. He obviously heard my thoughts, and did the honors of telling me about them even without asking, saving me the expense of doing so, which I genuinely appreciated.I know the two by face—so I know who they are. What I did not know though is Alpha Harden’s attempt at trying to make his daughter the Luna Queen, that is news to me. And the knowledge registering in my mind had a couple of ideas floating in it.Cassain turned around, his gaze fixed on me—his expression serious as he carried on. “My g
39- “For Camilla.”Adrian Moretti.“Adrian,” Roseline called out softly, her tone low as she followed me into my suite, making sure to close the door behind her. When I did not stop, she called out again, her tone a bit more stern this time around. “Adrian.” She repeated, her voice raising slightly so as to gain my attention.My hand that I had reached out to loosen the tie around my neck, suddenly feeling suffocated stopped as I closed my eyes shut, releasing a sharp breath. I halted in my tracks, though still not turning around to look at her. It was obvious from my action that she is the reason why I stopped, so I am listening to whatever she is saying, even if I do not want to knowing what she will say.She was silent for a few seconds, before she called out again, this time drawling it out. “Adrian,” Her tone was so many layers of soft, probably softer than anyone would ever expect her to be. I heard her footsteps as she closed the distance between us, standing just a few inches
40- “A new friend.” Camilla Castello.The next day, I woke up even before my alarm clock rang, as I was determined to not make the same mistake I made yesterday. Today, the men and women have different activities—for while they carried on with their meeting on board patrol and everything, the ladies, we are having our brunch together to get to know each other and figure out a way to help them as well.As one of the hosts of course, I could not be late to such an event. We are supposed to be in charge of planning it as well, but since they only know about me yesterday, they planned it themselves but I will be part of the hosts.After Cassain and I came back from our dinner last night, I had the chance to speak to Ria about it, and her words played in my mind like a broken cassette, reminding me of just how much I have to overcome here.“All the she-wolves seems to have a thing against you so my best guess is, they will try to find a way to undermine you tomorrow, might even start the
41- “Aurora.” Camilla Castello.The minute her eyes met mine, she attempted to look away but I held her chin firm, forcing her to hold my gaze. It took a few seconds, but she eventually held my gaze, though her gaze was still flickering, the fear in her evident. Once certain and satisfied with her stance, I dropped my hands away from her and stepped back, giving her a onceover.She hadn’t hunched again or avoided my gaze, but I could tell she was seconds away from doing that, so I spoke up.“Just like that…” My voice was soft as I gestured to her shoulders and raised chin. “…always keep your shoulders up just like that. Stop making yourself seem small.” Then I gestured to her soft gaze, my hard ones holding them. “And when you speak to someone, hold their gaze, do not look away. Stop making yourself inferior to anyone.”I could see her fiddle with he
42- “Nip it at the bud.”Camilla Castello.For the few hours that followed leading up to the brunch passed by in a blur. When I met Aurora, there was only a little bit over two hours, and had it been I went on ahead to what was planned, we would have rounded it up in thirty minutes and be all set.However, does me tearing the paper on that clipboard mean anything to you? If it had not, let me remind you, and confirm any thought you have, I meant it when I said I am tearing the shit down…literally.I scraped off the entire hall to begin with—deciding it is too congested, closed off, and just not anything that will go right with what I have in mind. It is a good thing I know how to manage time and plan these kind of events. Over the past seven years, given Cassain does not have a partner and barely is involved physically in events and stuff unless necessary, Ria handled the planning for anything that will arise.There is one thing that remained consistent, the annual Blood Dinner. Sound
43- “Dress up.”Camilla Castello.One of my favorite things to do, and one of the ways Luna and I bond quite a lot is through dress up. No matter who I was in the past, there was one thing I always held on to regardless and if I say so myself, I exceled in it. That is dressing up to the tee and leaving a lasting impression. My fashion sense is that good.Luckily for me, my daughter inherited that great sense of fashion for even for a six-year-old, the little girl knows her colors and her outfits—she is always so well coordinated and believe me when I say, she picks up her own outfits mostly these days. But, I enjoyed those days when I picked out everything for her, and I revere in it. So, whenever I get the chance to dress her up, or anyone else, I am always up on my toes—all my worries of the world flying out the roof and not making an appearance again for that moment.Can you now guess how excited I am for this? To dress up Aurora and bring out the beauty I know she has behind those
80- “EPILOGUE.”Camilla Castello.‘Can’t wait to see you walking down the aisle. Happy wedding day, My Queen.’ A smile made its way on my face as I read the message he had attached to the flowers he had delivered to my room while I was getting ready for our big day. And as I plucked the perfectly settled card in between the flowers, a wave of déjà vu hit me as I am reminded of our wedding ten years ago, the wedding that never took place.Now, who would have thought? Five months into Adrian proposing to me and four months into me agreeing to come back to the Kingdom, we are finally tying the knot for real, and I am to be his lawful wife? Who would have thought really?Except that feeling of déjà vu did not linger much, because the setting of our wedding is not like before and a lot has changed since that. Now, a feeling of anticipation and eagerness settled within me, all too giddy about the ceremony up ahead. And, as I stood in front of the full length mirror, giving myself a onceover
79- “Embracing the Good.”Camilla Castello.“Adrian,” I breathed out, pulling myself away from him as I sat up, then turned my head around just in time to see him get up to a sitting position as well, his own expression serious. I brought my lower lip between my teeth, nibbling it before I sighed once again, my expression softening. “I do not think that is a good idea.”The past few days we have spent together have been nothing short of blissful, I admit. And if I am to be greedy one more time, I would wish for what we have ongoing to remain in the human world alone and not go back to where we had left. But, I knew it was all just wishful thinking, I have known for the longest time. I just did not want to acknowledge it, wanting to live in this dream of mine a little longer before I would have to face reality. The reality where Adrian cannot live in the human world for he has greater responsibilities back at the Kingdom, and he cannot stay away for long.I have thought long and hard a
Adrian Moretti’s POV.Her breath was a soft gasp against my ear, the sound sending a shiver down my spine as sparks flew from the contact, all taking root from the mate bone. I held her close, feeling the heat of her skin against mine, her pulse racing beneath my fingertips and the feel of her warm body against mine.. The world had zeroed to this moment, the feel of her body moving with mine, the low hum of her voice barely audible between her ragged breaths. Fuck I love this woman and I miss the feel of her.“Adrian…” she whispered, my name falling from her lips like a plea, and I answered her with a growl, pulling her even closer, if that were possible. I am barely keeping my wolf in check from taking over.I could feel the tension building between us, her body trembling under my touch, my own pulse thundering in my ears. Every muscle in my body was strung tight, and I knew neither of us would last much longer. But hell do I want this with her, more than anything.Her nails raked do
77- “Making Claims.”Camilla Castello.My smile widened slightly, the correction jogging my memory from the day before, out of fondness, “Simon,” I corrected myself, nodding my head slowly as I tapped in the input, ready to take his order. Meeting his gaze again, I offered him a slight smile. “What will be your order today, Simon?”His expression seemed relieved, as if glad I had gone along with his name rather than the formality from earlier. “the same as yesterday,” he stated, without so much as a glance in the direction of the menu. “Your choices from yesterday proved to be very much welcomed truly.”“My choices?” My brows drew in, “You picked what you wanted. I merely hinted you being British.”“Which is not far off,” He pointed out, his tone knowing and teasing.I chuckled slightly, then nodded in agreement. “Which is not far off.” I agreed, then tapped in his orders same as yesterday, glad I could remember them all. Once I had done so, I looked up to hold his gaze again. “It wil
76- “Blissful Moments.”Camilla Castello.Adrian stayed true to his words about taking Luna to school, but of course, after getting his change of outfit brought by Caleb and showering. Some how, he actually managed to make it on time before Luna wakes up and gets ready. He even took the liberty of making breakfast for all of us, making me just sit on the stool and watch as he went about his work in the kitchen.I could not help but look at him in surprise, as Luna was getting ready while he and I were in the kitchen, with him handling the breakfast as he had promised. “Since when have you been one to know your way around the kitchen?” I asked, drawing my robe closer to my body as I crossed my arms over my torso, staring at him with furrowed brows. “Last I remember, you cannot do anything in the kitchen.” And that is the truth, cooking is not his forte, it has never been. The Adrian I remember cannot go into the kitchen and turn on the gas cooker without burning the kitchen down.This
Camilla Castello’s POVI stirred awake to the sensation of soft, lingering kisses trailing down my neck. For a second, I was a bit confused as to what is going on since I have grown accustomed to waking up alone in my bed, but a familiar scent registered in my mind, and the memories of last night came pouring in, making a small, soft smile take over my featured as I felt nothing other than satisfaction.There were no regrets whatsoever.My body responded instinctively, arching slightly as warmth spread from where his lips touched, the tingles returning reminding me of our newly renounced mate bond. My eyes fluttered open, and I turned my head to find Adrian already hovering above me, his dark eyes filled with a familiar intensity that sent a thrill through me."Morning," he murmured, his voice deep and low, sending shivers along my spine. His eyes, those familiar forest green orbs were now dark and hooded, desire swirling in them new compared to last night. Knots formed within me, hea
74- “Skins In Silk.”Camilla Castello.I do not know why I did it, but there was no ounce of regret in me. One minute, I was staring at him as he rambled on about wanting us to rekindle our relationship and start all over on a fresh slate, and how we wasted ten years of our lives for waste just like that, and I could not help but agree with him. For the first time in a long time, I decided to just let go of every thing and screw it, and the next minute I found myself kissing him. He seemed taken aback for a second, but he quickly recovered, his arms wrapping round me back as he kissed me feverishly, more sensuously.I found myself sitting on his lab, straddling him as we continued our kiss—the sound of heavy breaths filling the air of the room. One of his hands remained on my waist, grasping it tightly while the other slipped to my hair, pulling softly at its root just as mine roamed in his hair.His lips left mine just as I was starting to become breathless, but it trailed downwards,
73- “Winning Her Back.”Adrian Moretti.Three years. It has been three years since Camilla disappeared from the supernatural realm, and the reason is not entirely unknown. At this point, it already well known that Cassain, the Vampire King’s mate has returned, and that their love story has continued from where it stopped. Where she has been since her ‘death’ and why she chose to return then of all times when the relationship between Cassain and Camilla is picking up remains a mystery, but it is already known that it is the reason Camilla went missing.Every one else thinks Cassain has forgotten her, but I know otherwise. He has still been looking for her, and has found her even. He just did not show up, knowing she would not want to see him, and I could not blame her.It is kind of the same with me as well. It has been three years since she and I officially met—and why I say officially is, unlike Cassain, I do not exactly have the patience to know where she is and not visit her. In ev
72- “Perfect Strangers.”Camilla Castello.I brought the first aid kit with so many question running through my head. It got answered to a certain extent when I brought it to him and he gestured for me to sit down while he got on his feet, taking a hold of the kit and placing it on the coffee table beside us.I could only stare at him with drawn in brows and question swirling in my orbs. I watched as he opened the first aid kit, pulling out some essentials and then turned around to look at me, his expression unmoved. “Let me see your wound,” He said.If possible, my frown deepened, “What?” His words caught me slightly off guard, though a part of me did expect this much when he mentioned the first aid kit thing because it does not seem like he is injured whatsoever.“Your shirt,” he stated, his tone calm, but stern at the same time. “Take it off.”Subconsciously, I wrapped my hand around my self, my eyes narrowed at him slightly as if to silently question whether he knows what he is sa