In the wake of Jessica's audacious outburst, a searing streak of agony tore through her back, wrenching a guttural gasp from her trembling lips. James wasted no time, his emotions spiraling into a tempest within him as he barked terse instructions at the stone-faced guards. They knew their duty: prepare the prisoners for the impending torment that awaited them. With one final, conflicted glance cast back toward the anguished captives, James turned on his heel and strode away from the dank, dimly lit cell. His back was a wall, a feeble defense against the roiling turmoil within him. For a timeless moment, James grappled with his emotions, a battle waged in the depths of his soul. Each lash he would soon deliver to him weighed heavy on his conscience. But as he clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, he drew in a shuddering breath. His face, once twisted with inner conflict, smoothed into a mask of cold determination, concealing the storm of emotions beneath. With a resolute pivot, h
Daphne's command hung in the air, casting a subtle tension over the room. Ariel's eyes darted around, taking in the servants who were carrying on their duties, their eyes discreetly lowered. She couldn't help but notice the fleeting glance Daphne directed toward Grandma Maria, a look laden with unspoken meaning. Ariel couldn't quite grasp the depths of Daphne's intentions, but she knew one thing for sure—Daphne was up to something.As Ariel followed in Daphne's wake, there was an enigmatic expression on her friend's face that set off warning bells in Ariel's mind. It was a look that hinted at secrets and hidden agendas, leaving Ariel with a gnawing sense of curiosity mixed with unease.The night passed, and Ariel's eyes fluttered open to the morning light. Her first instinct was to check the documents she had covertly taken the night before, but they were nowhere to be found. Panic knotted in her chest as she realized that they had vanished.Ariel couldn't help but contemplate the ide
Daphne's command hung in the air, casting a subtle tension over the room. Ariel's eyes darted around, taking in the servants who were carrying on their duties, their eyes discreetly lowered. She couldn't help but notice the fleeting glance Daphne directed toward Grandma Maria, a look laden with unspoken meaning. Ariel couldn't quite grasp the depths of Daphne's intentions, but she knew one thing for sure—Daphne was up to something.As Ariel followed in Daphne's wake, there was an enigmatic expression on her friend's face that set off warning bells in Ariel's mind. It was a look that hinted at secrets and hidden agendas, leaving Ariel with a gnawing sense of curiosity mixed with unease.The night passed, and Ariel's eyes fluttered open to the morning light. Her first instinct was to check the documents she had covertly taken the night before, but they were nowhere to be found. Panic knotted in her chest as she realized that they had vanished.Ariel couldn't help but contemplate the ide
"My king, do you ever wonder if those stolen treaty papers from the Underworld by Aloha last night have anything to do with this sudden meeting the humans insisted upon? How many years have they summoned you in this manner?" James babbled as he steered the vehicle towards the meeting place. But Ragnar remained silent, his thoughts consumed by Aloha's betrayal. Even as he had planned to make Aloha love him, he now realized he desired more than that. It wasn't just Gorg who coveted Aloha; he, too, desired her. Even if it meant only one night together to produce his heir."Or perhaps, my king, you considered…" James was still speaking when Ragnar abruptly cut him off."Focus on the road, James. I don't need your theories right now. Find me evidence of who Aloha is working with. I want this evidence to resolve the matter," Ragnar asserted firmly. James knew Ragnar's no-nonsense disposition well. He glanced at Ragnar through the rearview mirror and discreetly took a quick snapshot of his
"Who are you?" Aloha screamed, her voice quivering with fear, her heart pounding like a relentless drum. Her trembling hand clutched the door handle, desperation etched on her face as she prayed for the door to yield, but it remained stubbornly closed. Her ankle met the cold, unforgiving ground as she sank down, her sobs echoing in the eerie stillness. "Please, don't kill me," Aloha pleaded, her words choked with tears. "I promise, I'll never come here again." The room seemed to hold its breath, the weight of impending doom hanging heavy in the air. Just when Aloha thought all hope had deserted her, a sudden burst of light shattered the oppressive darkness, revealing a figure that appeared more divine than mortal. He was a man, yet his presence was ethereal, and Aloha's terror slowly gave way to wonder. "Who are you?" Aloha stammered, realizing that he wasn't the monstrous creature she had dreaded. The enigmatic man met her gaze with a captivating intensity. "I should be asking you
"Take a seat," the mysterious man softly urged, his words tinged with concern, as he hoped to sway Aloha. Yet, her resolve remained unshaken, heedless of the impending consequences."My choice stands, no matter what," Aloha declared resolutely. With a gentle gesture, the man guided her to sit, and he began to weave his tale for her.The impact of his revelations left Aloha stunned, uncovering the driving force behind Ragnar's relentless cruelty and his disdain for witches and humans alike. It all traced back to humans, specifically Marvin's father—a human king who sought power and, in doing so, unleashed chaos."If all of this is true, then why do you continue to use your blood to transform humans against their will?" Aloha inquired, her voice filled with curiosity.A heavy silence settled upon the man. His gaze fell, marked by a profound sorrow and remorse. It was a silence so thick that it almost seemed as though tears might spill from his eyes, bearing the weight of his unspoken re
Ariel had stealthily slipped into Daphne's room the moment Ragnar had departed from the palace. Daphne's heart pounded with a cocktail of anxiety and determination as she saw this as her chance to confront Ariel. Her questions hung in the air, heavy and unspoken, like a storm about to unleash its fury.One by one, Daphne hurled her questions at Ariel, but Ariel's silence spoke volumes. Her wide eyes betrayed the fear that had taken root deep within her. She couldn't even begin to imagine what Ragnar might do if he were to uncover the truth she harbored. Ariel's faith in Aloha, her closest friend, was unwavering, and the thought of Ragnar turning against him was a nightmare she couldn't face.With a menacing edge in her voice, Daphne pressed on, her words laden with ominous intent. "Have you even considered the dire consequences if Ragnar becomes the one to unearth the secrets you're desperately concealing?"Ariel's heart raced faster, a crescendo of fear surging through her veins. She
Ragnar's heart raced as he tried to make sense of the unfolding chaos. His emotions were a swirling tempest, mirroring the dread that gripped his very core. He couldn't bring himself to accept the unthinkable truth that loomed before him."Did you really believe that Aurora's demise would go unanswered?" Ryan's voice quivered with smoldering intensity, his eyes ablaze with a vengeance that had simmered for centuries. "Yes, it may have occurred a hundred years past, but my thirst for revenge has never waned. Past attempts may have faltered, but this time, fate has smiled upon me."Jessica and Marcus stood frozen, their eyes wide like saucers, unable to fathom the gravity of the situation. In that room, only Ragnar and James grasped the tangled web of events. James, unable to contain his anger, clenched his fists, the turmoil in his veins like a destructive tempest. He had been the one to bring Ryan into the palace, unaware that he had unwittingly invited Ragnar's sworn enemy. Now, a tr
As the wedding ceremony came to a close, King Ragnar wasted no time in whisking Aloha away to their private chambers. Without waiting for the congratulatory wishes of their guests, he gently laid her on the bed and began undressing.Aloha watched him with an affectionate fascination, her eyes roaming over his powerful, well-built physique as if seeing it for the first time. The mere sight of him caused Ragnar's whole body to tremble, and Aloha couldn't help but be delighted by the effect she had on him. Her excitement was palpable, yet she managed to contain it.In a bold move, her hand ventured toward his hardened length, her fingers lightly caressing him. She felt his arousal respond to her touch, and she began to stroke him gently and sensuously, kindling the flames of desire between them.A low moan slipped past Ragnar's lips as Aloha continued to work her magic on his rod, her skillful touch electrifying his body. His desire surged, and Ragnar found himself torn between the inten
Amidst Aloha's persistent coughing, she desperately attempted to break free from Ragnar's powerful hold. It seemed impossible to overpower him. "Ragnar, please, you have to fight this," Aloha implored, her voice trembling with emotion. "Our baby needs you. I love you, and we both love you. Please, come back to us." In that very moment, Ragnar's eyes slowly returned to their normal state, and he released his grip on Aloha's neck. As he regained consciousness, a heavy wave of guilt washed over him, and he began to beg Aloha. "Forgive me," he pleaded, his hands trembling as they gently explored Aloha's trembling form. "I never meant to hurt you. I'm so sorry." "I'm alright, it's not your fault," Aloha reassured him, her voice filled with understanding and compassion. As Ragnar's gaze fell to the ground, he saw the remnants of what he had used to possess Daphne's body. "I'm sorry you had to see this side of me," Ragnar admitted, his voice heavy with regret. In that moment, Aloha drew h
"What did you do to Effa's mother, who started talking?" Aloha's command rang out, her eyes no longer her own, glowing with an eerie deep blue radiance. The aura emanating from her left even Ragnar, the mighty king, feeling uneasy.In response, something inexplicable entered Daphne's body. She struggled against an irresistible urge to speak the truth. Her eyes opened wide, as if she were in a trance, compelled to divulge the well-guarded secrets she had hidden deep within."I've always longed for Ragnar to be mine," Daphne's voice trembled as the truth spilled out. "My world crumbled when he introduced a witch as his mate. At first, he told me it was merely for procreation, and I reluctantly accepted. But my heartache deepened when he began developing genuine feelings for her. Despite his past history with witches, his newfound connection with her grew stronger, and I felt cast aside."Daphne's face contorted with the torment of her revelations. "Ragnar's aunt shared the same affectio
Aloha stormed into Daphne's room, her anger seething in her eyes. She had originally intended to knock, but her fury had gotten the best of her, and she barged in."Why don't you just chastise him? I'm here. Why not try to kill my baby now?" Aloha confronted Daphne, leaving her taken aback. Daphne struggled to find the words to respond, initially offering a nervous smirk and feigning ignorance to Aloha's accusations.Finally, she managed to stammer, "What are you saying, Aloha? Why on earth would I want to harm the precious heir of my king?" Daphne continued to pretend as though she had no idea what Aloha was talking about."Really, do you want this baby to be born?" Aloha inquired, her expression taking on a strange and unfamiliar intensity. She drew nearer to Daphne and whispered into her ear. Daphne could feel a strange aura in Aloha's breath that sent shivers down her spine, an unusual reaction for her."Try to harm my baby again, and I will be forced to use a spell on you. Have y
It had been seven long days since Ragnar declared to Aloha that he would marry Daphne. Now, with just three days left until the wedding, the palace buzzed with whispers and gossip. Every maid seemed to be talking about it, and some were even cruel enough to mock Aloha. She found solace in staying indoors, as Ragnar had lifted the ban that made her his personal maid. He no longer sought her presence.Aloha never imagined it would be this difficult. Today marked Jessica's departure from the palace. She had lingered, hoping James would have a change of heart and they could resolve their differences, but James had ensured they stayed far apart.As was the custom for the palace maids, they gathered to bid farewell to anyone leaving for good. Aloha felt an inner conflict; she could have made excuses to avoid this gathering, given the constant mockery from the other maids. They believed she had used witchcraft to ensnare Ragnar ever since they learned he had spent a night in her room.Amidst
"Comes in," Raganr's voice trembled as she approached the door, fully aware that Ragnar had likely caught her scent.She attempted to hide the transformation she'd undergone, a desperate attempt to win Ragnar over. With hesitation, she gently pushed the door open. As she stepped into the room, her gaze fixated on the woman sleeping in Ragnar's bed.For a moment, it felt as if her blood had frozen in her veins. The fire in her eyes could have scorched Aloha, and thoughts of transforming into her wolf form and baring her heart raced through her mind."What are you doing? Are you just going to stand there?" Ragnar's voice, frigid and piercing, brought her back to reality. Startled, she swiftly changed her expression, masking her turmoil with a sober demeanor."My king, you never ask me what's wrong, but you choose to protect the maid and hurt your woman in the process," Daphne said, her face feigning hurt and pain."If you've come here to lie, I suggest you find your way out of here," R
After James bid farewell to Ragnar, and Ragnar found love anew, a rush of astonishment washed over James as he witnessed the abrupt transformation in his king. Everything had shifted in the blink of an eye, and he couldn't contain his joy for the long-awaited redemption that was finally within Ragnar's grasp, after years of bearing the burden of the curse that had befallen him when he killed his first mate.A grin adorned James' face as he observed his king's eagerness to enter Aloha's chamber. Yet, his gaze shifted to Jessica's room, where he longed to enfold his own beloved mate, to satisfy the desires that had been awakened by Aloha's enchanting moans.Stepping into Jessica's room, he found her pacing nervously. She clutched a piece of paper, swiftly hiding it as their eyes met. Despite the awkwardness of the moment, she managed a smile."What brings you here, Beta?" Jessica inquired, her tone laced with respect. Without a word, James gently seized Jessica and drew her close to his
"I love you," Ragnar confessed, his voice quivering with the weight of his emotions. He finally pulled away from Aloha, allowing her some breathing room to adjust her disheveled dress. Aloha couldn't help but blush, her heart racing, as Ragnar repeated those three simple, yet profound words.Maybe Effa had been right, Aloha thought. Effa's advice had echoed in her mind when she had told her to go and seduce Ragnar, to make him forget about Daphne.In that moment, there was a mere one-inch gap between Aloha and Ragnar. When he noticed that she had finished dressing, he couldn't resist the urge to draw her closer. She melted into his embrace, inhaling the intoxicating scent of his cologne."Why aren't you responding? I said I love you," Ragnar sang the song of love once more, his voice laced with longing. Aloha, overcome with emotion, finally found her voice."I love you too," she whispered, her words a revelation of her true feelings. As those words left her lips, they ignited an inten
In a dimly lit chamber, Ragnar was knee-deep in werewolf matters. He was grappling with their concerns, striving to be the best leader his pack deserved. At the same time, James cautiously unrolled a parchment and placed it into Ragnar's hands, a treasure trove of news and requests.As Ragnar's sharp gaze raced across the inked lines, his countenance underwent a dramatic transformation. His eyes widened, and his face contorted, as he encountered a message that left him utterly flabbergasted. It was a series of congratulatory notes from various quarters: an Alpha, a ruler of the underworld, and even a notable human figure, all extending their warm wishes for his upcoming nuptials to Daphne.In a fit of frustration, Ragnar clenched his fist, and with a swift swivel of his chair, he turned to confront James. The parchment remained untouched, the pen still as an obedient pet. He had read the first, the second, and the third, but the succession of five congratulatory scrolls had ignited a