CHAPTER FOUR
-ANTONIO-
It was now late into the night, almost midnight, and the celebration was coming to its last event; the Run. The Run was an age-old royal tradition. It was a game, a chase under the dance of moonlight. Only the King and Queen's children were allowed to participate in the event. Whichever of the royal offspring reached the age of maturity would have to compete against their older siblings. This would demonstrate the royal's skills and formally initiate them into the competition for becoming the future ruler of the Lycan Empire. Tonight, under the moon, Alina would prove her worth as the princess of the Lycan Empire.<
CHAPTER FOUR-ANTONIO-As he emerged from the shadows of the forest, Antonio's gaze was immediately drawn to the sight before him. In the center of a natural amphitheater, illuminated by the silvery moonlight and drenched in heavy rain, two werewolves stood in the field. The rain coated their bodies, reflecting the moon's glow. His eyes narrowed at the sight – a male and a female, both regal and powerful in their own right.The aroma grew more potent, making it clear that the alluring scent was emanating from the female werewolf. She laid on the ground, so radiant and majest
CHAPTER FOUR-ANTONIO-Antonio finally made his way back to the Lycan Empire. The heavy rain had stopped, and now there were countless stars twinkling in the night sky. The moon illuminated the land with a bright glow. He shifted back into his human form, looking up at the palace, a towering fortress of ancient, weathered stone and high turrets. His sapphire eyes were dull by fatigue and heavy with untold emotions.With a deep breath, Antonio steeled himself to face the questions that awaited him inside. He was aware that his family would be curious about his whereabouts, es
CHAPTER FOUR-ANTONIO-Kinnsion remained silent for a while, mulling over Antonio's words. His gaze was far away, lost in thought. Kinnsion spoke with determination. "We won't involve father in this situation. I will take it upon myself to investigate and deal with it. Is that clear?""Perfectly," Antonio replied, relief washing over him like a cool tide. There was a nod of unspoken gratitude in his eyes which Kinnsion silently acknowledged with a small nod of his own."Good. Now, let's talk about this scent you
CHAPTER FOUR-ANTONIO-The whole night, Antoni tossed and turned in his bed, the sheets tangling around his legs. He had spent the entire night wrestling with his thoughts, swinging between reason and desire. The room felt cold, striking a deep contrast with his racing heart which seemed to be set afire by every thought of her.Filled with a restless energy, he abandoned his bed and made his way to the balcony. The cool night air brushed his skin like a lover's caress as he took in the breathtaking vista of their lands stretching out before him. The rolling landscape was bat
CHAPTER FOUR-ANTONIO-His answer did not satisfy their curiosity, but they knew better than to press on, especially with such a delicate matter. Queen Camilla nodded solemnly, casting a glance at King Rasso who returned the gesture with an understanding smile. They both admired their son's talent immensely."Very well," King Rasso said, a hint of resignation in his voice. "Since your performance today was...unexpected," he started, choosing his words carefully, "we won't continue with your other lessons today."
CHAPTER FOUR-ANTONIO-The corridors of the castle were bright yet cold, their vast emptiness mirroring the conflict within his heart. He moved swiftly through the labyrinthine passages, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The marble floors echoed with the sound of his boots, asserting his presence in the lifeless hallways. His heart pounded against his chest, an erratic drum heralding his rebellion.As he rounded a corner, he nearly collided into a small figure clad in midnight blue robes. Startled, Antonio skidded to a halt, barely avoiding knocking the aged wom
CHAPTER FOUR-ANTONIO-The library was dimly lit, casting long shadows between the grand mahogany shelves that were densely packed with ancient tomes. Antonio moved through the rows with a sense of purpose, his usually bright eyes now hard and focused. He knew he had to learn more about werewolves, Wolf's Bane, fated mates.He spent hours engrossed in his studies, barely stopping for food and water. The tomes were full of folklore and firsthand accounts of interactions with werewolves, their pack structure, their mating rituals. Antonio’s gaze lingered over the section on an
CHAPTER FOUR-ANTONIO-Antonio woke to the sound of his chamber door opening and the faint rustle of a servant's robe. "Prince Anontio," a soft voice stirred him from a dreamless slumber. "It is time for dinner. Count Gaius and his family have arrived."The memory of his conversation with his parents flashed in his mind, pulling him immediately into wakefulness."Already?" He groaned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The servant bowed and retreated, leaving Antonio to pull himself out of his bed. He glanced at t
CHAPTER EIGHT-WILHELMINA-The morning was delightful, with no clouds in the sky and the sun shining brightly. It was a beautiful day. To add the final touch to the fantastic day, everyone was eagerly anticipating the Moon Goddess' Ball tonight. I couldn't contain my excitement.Not only was this my debut as the Gravemaw Hounds' future Luna, it was also a chance to solidify my alliances. Trisha had extended invitations to all the neighboring packs, and even some nobles from the Lycan Empire were expected to attend.A sof
CHAPTER EIGHT-WILHELMINA-It had been a few days since I had confronted Boris about his decision to take Severa as his second wife. I was tired of his selfish decisions. He could do as he pleased with me, but I didn't want him to put another woman through the same pain and suffering I was about to endure.I was well aware that my threats to him were bold, but they were also completely genuine. I was determined to destroy Boris. He would pay for all the pain and suffering he inflicted on me, Severa, and our families.Bei
CHAPTER SEVEN-LEON-Her eyes widened ever so slightly, a tiny crack in her otherwise pristine facade. "A divorce," she echoed softly, the gravity of my words sinking in. "Is that what you believe the solution is?""Yes." I said, standing firm in my decision. "I cannot and will not allow you to harm our children with your twisted ideologies. It ends here, Trisha." The words hung heavy in the air, a palpable tension building between us.A sardonic chuckle slipped past her lips as she turned back to the window, he
CHAPTER SEVEN-LEON-Despite being aware that Hiro would be fully healed by tomorrow, I left him in the care of the manor's salutary. His confession had left me reeling, a whirlwind of emotions spinning within me. Betrayal, anger and fear crept into my heart like unwelcome guests. I had always been aware of my wife's deceitful tactics to achieve her desires, but I never could have fathomed the idea of manipulating her own daughter into a relationship.Why would Trisha do something like this, I thought. She had alway
CHAPTER SEVEN-HIRO-But then, suddenly, amidst the deafening roar of my pain and fear, a new sound punctured through the chaos - a growl. It was primal, animalistic, the sound of a beast cornered and threatened. I thought it was Boris, but then I realized it was someone else. Boris ceased his assault."What do you think you are doing?" It was our father. The voice was like a whip crack in the silence that followed. My father stood at the doorway, a terrifying silhouette against the flickering hallway lamp. His eyes, icy and hard, were locked onto Boris, his tall frame rigid
CHAPTER SEVEN-HIRO-The rough, calloused hand on my shoulder felt like the icy hand of death itself, a chilling reminder of the power my elder brother wielded. Boris's grip was unyielding, his eyes as cold as the winter. My heart thumped wildly in my chest."What were you thinking, Hiro?" he growled, steering me down the corridor with a firm grip. "What did you think you could accomplish, getting in the way of our mother's plans?" His voice echoed ominously off the cold walls.
CHAPTER SEVEN-ERIS-When the dinner was finally over, everyone excused themselves, heading off in different directions. Kinnison and I escaped to the sanctuary of the estate's moonlit garden. The air was thick with the scent of radiant azaleas, blooming roses, and honeysuckles, a perfect backdrop to our quiet conversation.Underneath the glowing moonlight, Kinnison held my hand gently, his touch as soft as the petals of the flowers surrounding us. With each breath, I took in not only the fragrant perfume of the blossoms but also his sweet, familiar scent that was now interw
CHAPTER SEVEN-ERIS-I noticed Boris's sly grin from across the table. His eyes twinkled mischievously as they met mine; he knew something, something I didn't understand. The scent of citrus became stronger, clouding my senses, making me feel like I was floating on an orange sea. Where is that smell coming, I thought.Looking around the table, I met Prince Kinnison's gaze. His icy eyes were no longer filled with unyielding coldness but softened, like the first light of dawn breaking across a frost-laden fiel
CHAPTER SEVEN-ERIS-In less than twenty minutes, the dinner would start, and I had spent the past hour and a half preparing with the maids. My mother checked in occasionally to ensure my appearance met her expectations.The silver-gray dress I was wearing, adorned with threads of gold, was chosen by mother herself. It hugged my figure and perfectly highlighted the dark shade of my hair and the yellow color of my eyes.Each time, her eyes scrutinized every detail, from the dress I wore to the way my hair was sty