CHAPTER SIX-THORIN-My eyes fluttered open, the soft glow of morning sunlight trickling in through the window. I squinted, my eyes taking a moment to adjust to the light. The room was filled with the smell of fresh linen and something herbal - sweet yet subtly bitter. My body felt heavy but in a different way from before; like a deep, restful lethargy rather than the paralyzing grip of poison. I tried to sit up, and to my relief, I found it considerably easier. My limbs felt sluggish but obedient to my commands.The memory of last night hit me in waves. Rashida. The Nightsh
CHAPTER SIX-THORIN-I had been residing in the Lycan Empire palace with Antonio and the rest of the imperial family when Boris Gravemaw had contacted me, informing me of my mamá's sudden collapse at work. She was immediately taken to the hospital. My heart clenched as Boris detailed her condition. She had received a diagnosis of brain cancer. How long had she been dealing with this illness? Why hadn't she confided in me earlier? Did she even realize the extent of her condition, I thought. My mind was in
CHAPTER SIX-THORIN-A month had passed since my return to the Gravemaw Hounds, and most of my days were spent at the hospital with mamá or fulfilling my duties as the Delta. Despite her failing health, mamá had kept her promise. She fought with all the strength she could muster, surprising even the doctors who attended to her. Yet, everything felt heavy; the colors of the world were drained and replaced with shades of gray. My dreams were filled with memories of my
CHAPTER SIX-THORIN-I paid no attention to their comments and turned to look at the woman. She seemed strangely familiar, and then it clicked. It was Severa Greymane, and an old friend from school.When I transferred, I struggled to communicate with others because my English skills were still developing. But Severa, who happened to speak Spanish, quickly became one of my few friends. She even helped me improve my English speaking abilities."Severa," I mumbled worriedly. "Are you okay?"
CHAPTER SEVEN-WELDON-"Enough!" I shouted, but my voice was drowned in the cacophony of raised voices.The room reeked of tension and pure outrage. Thorn and Boris appeared ready to break out into a physical altercation, while Matus and Elder stood inches away from each other, engaged in a heated argument. Parella and Trisha were engaged in a heated dispute, hurling insults back and forth. Severa stood tearfully behind Thorin."Silence!" I hollered, my voice echoing off the walls in a harsh reverberation. Start
CHAPTER SEVEN-BORIS-The door closed behind Weldon and Thorin, leaving me alone with Wilhelmina. Her red eyes bore into mine, unblinking, and for the first time since I had known her, she seemed taller. Stronger. Like an indomitable force. The sight of her, unwavering, made a strange sensation flicker in my chest."Mina, you didn't mean that, did you." I said. My statement sounded more like a command, which it was, rather than a question. But there was an unexpected worry underneath my tone."I did," she held m
CHAPTER SEVEN-KINNSION-It had been a hectic day. I spent the entire night in my office, trying to complete my tasks before I had to depart for the wedding taking place in the Gravemaw Hounds' territory. Now, as dawn streaked the sky, I found myself battling the relentless fatigue. I rubbed my temples, trying to clear my head.A few days ago, we received a letter from the Luna Mother of the Gravemaw Hounds. It was addressed to me, Antonio, and Alina. The wedding was in three days, but Alina and I were departing later this afternoon to ensure all the preparations for our arr
CHAPTER SEVEN-KINNSION-The flight to the Gravemaw Hounds' territory was uneventful, with the exception of Alina's constant chatter about her new boyfriend, Ronan Dukes."He is the most divine person I've ever met!" Alina gushed. "His eyes are the color of the moonlit sky and his smile could light up even the darkest room. And that's not even mentioning his sense of humor!""Alina," I smiled tiredly. "That's all very lovely, but I'd really like to take a nap before we arrive. I haven't slept since yesterday nig
CHAPTER THIRTEEN-WILHELMINA-From the window of Weldon's car, I observed the plane taking off in the distance. Severa was leaving with Maria, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Arnet. It would be some time before I saw them again. Weldon had suggested that I go with them, but I quickly shut down that idea. I was done being a helpless damsel; I would fight my own battles, with or without men by my side, even if one of them happened to be Antonio.Boris and Trisha were my adversaries. It was their actions that led me to this predicament, and now it was up to me to find a solution. A
CHAPTER THIRTEEN-BORIS-The arrogant Lycan actually believed he could steal my woman away from me! Who did he think he was? Just some pompous prince? That didn't mean anything to me!I stormed through the halls of Gravemaw Mansion, my fists tightly clenched. The servants wisely stepped aside as I made my way past them; they knew not to interfere with my seething rage."Boris," a familiar voice called out from around the corner. It was my mother. Her expression was unreadable as usual. "Follow me. We need to tal
CHAPTER THIRTEEN-SEVERA-Thorin kept his promise and brought me back to my family's home the next day. The drive there was quiet, both of us lost in our thoughts. I knew he could sense my anxiety.Thorin looked at me, his brown eyes softening. "Severa, you'll get through this," he murmured, placing a comforting hand on top of mine that was clenched on my lap."I know," I responded, trying to smile at him.My gaze dropped to his neck, where I had le
CHAPTER THIRTEEN-WILHELMINA-Maria and Severa stood close together, their arms locked. I stood before them like a shield, savagely determined to protect them at all costs."What do you want, Remus?" I asked.His laugh was a cold echo in the room, chilling me to my bones. "You're not naive, Wilhelmina," he chuckled. "You understand why I'm here. The Alpha demands the return of his fiancés.""We aren't going anywhere," I said, my voice low and threateni
CHAPTER THIRTEEN-WILHELMINA-It had been roughly a week since we uncovered that Trisha was responsible for the manipulated feelings between Prince Kinnsion and Eris, utilizing a Potion of Charm, while also pressuring Estrada into creating said potion.Antonio, Weldon, and Thorin had confronted Boris and Trisha about their criminal activities, sparking the beginning of an investigation. Antonio had also revealed our mate bond to them during the confrontation.Antonio warned us that there were spies from the Lyca
CHAPTER TWELVE-ERIS-We were now aboard a plane, en route to the Lycan Empire. The group consisted of myself, Hiro, Princess Alina, Kinnsion, Nora, and Estrada. The tension inside the aircraft was palpable, the air felt thin and suffocating, the silence echoing louder than the hum of the plane's engines.Hiro had originally been sitting across from me, but he eventually moved to sit across from Princess Alina. The two of them were now murmuring quietly to each other.Nora and Estrada were situated far from us, each engr
CHAPTER TWELVE-ERIS-Exhaustion consumed me. My head throbbed and my body felt like it had been run over by a truck. Even my emotions were worn out. It had been two days since Mrs. Arnet cured both Kinnsion and myself of the Potion of Charm. I could still remember the sensation of being cured so vividly.A cooling wave washed over me, erasing the shimmering illusion that had once trapped my mind. I remember looking into Kinnsion's eyes, seeing his love for me dwindle. Our love wasn't real. It was manufactured by a potion, by magic, nothing more. It left a hollow feeling in my heart
CHAPTER TWELVE-HIRO-Prince Antonio then turned to me. "Hiro," he said in a more gentle tone, "could you please explain how you came to be in the basement of the Alpha's Estate?"A slight chill ran down my spine as I nodded in agreement. I took a deep breath and began recounting the events that unfolded, starting from our mother's order to Eris and I."It all began a few days ago when Prince Kinnsion and Princess Alina came to visit," I explained. "Our mother commanded us to use the Potion of Charm to make them fall in
CHAPTER TWELVE-HIRO-Glancing around, I could feel the tense atmosphere in the room. Everyone seemed to know something that I didn't. I turned to Eris. She seemed uneasy, her usually flushed cheeks now drained of color. "What's going on?" I asked, bewildered by the sudden shift in mood.Eris remained silent, her gaze fixed on Prince Kinnsion. Her eyes glimmered with pain and sadness.Prince Antonio let out a heavy sigh, then turned back to me. "This could mean your father is involved in your brother's and mothe