CHAPTER TEN
-ANTONIO-
We walked into the manor. The servants were bustling around us in a chaotic yet coordinated manner. However, I couldn't ignore the palpable tension that hung in the air, likely due to the commotion outside which they had undoubtedly heard and seen.
"I shall tell my mother and father of what has happened," Lady Basia announced. "Good luck with confronting Boris."
"Thank you, Lady Basia," I replied, dipping my head in acknowledgment. Her gaze was steady but I could see the concern in her eyes
CHAPTER TEN-ANTONIO-I raised a skeptical eyebrow and asked, my gaze turning icy. "And who do you think is the mastermind behind your beloved cub's strings?"The Luna Mother let out a deep sigh, her frustration evident in her rising voice. "How am I supposed to know?" she asked, shaking her head. "I'm just making assumptions here."Before I could ask any more questions, she fixed her cold stare back on Weldon. "You mentioned Wolf's Bane, did you not? Are you talking about the unfortunate incident where the Luna
CHAPTER TEN-ANTONIO-Weldon and Thorin exited the room first. I trailed behind them, but paused at the doorway and looked back at Luna Mother and Boris."Also, just so you're aware," I added, drawing their focus. "Due to the ongoing investigation, all ceremonies will be suspended until further notice."Boris leaped up from his chair, his anger evident on his face. "How dare you?" he roared. "I am to be married tonight! Do you expect me to cancel the wedding?!"
CHAPTER TEN-ANTONIO-As we moved further away from the council room, I finally broke the silence and elaborated on the situation. "Thorin, keep your distance from Boris. I don't want him discovering that Severa has left her mark on you."Thorin, normally stoic and composed, swallowed at my words. There was conflict in his eyes, a stormy sea of fear and longing. "If you didn't want him to know it was me, why did you tell him?"I paused, feeling my gaze linger on Thorin's visibly anxious expression. "It will make him para
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-The Gravemaw Hounds' territory was basked in warm, golden sunlight under a cloudless spring sky. Giggles echoed through the air as three young girls, 4-year-old Estrada Evercrown and her best friends Bellatrix and Rae Greymane, sat in the woods behind the Greymane family's home.With a firm grip, Estrada held Rae's chestnut locks in her small palms. She skillfully weaved dainty primrose petals from the nearby fields into the cascading brown strands. Her attentive gaze was fixed on creating a stunning floral creation.
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-It had been about a week since Estrada had overheard her parents' hushed conversation. The memory of their furrowed brows and tense voices was still fresh in her mind, but she couldn't quite recall what they had been discussing. Despite this, she couldn't shake off the lingering worry that seemed to have settled in the house like a heavy fog.As each day passed, Estrada couldn't help but notice the increasing concern and stress etched onto her parents' faces. She attempted to comfort them with small gestures of kindness, but their troubled expression
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-Estrada's heart raced as she watched Mrs. Gravemaw converse with her apprehensive parents."We weren't trying to leave, Luna," Arwen said, her voice rising in pitch. Her mama always sounded like that when she was anxious.Mrs. Gravemaw didn't look convinced. Her cold gaze flitted between Hugo and Arwen. "Lying to the Luna," she scoffed, her face scrunching up in irritation. "Can lead to severe consequences, as you very well know." Her voice was as icy as her stare, sending a chill down E
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-As the sun gracefully rose above the horizon, its golden rays filtered through the delicate lace curtains of the Evercrown cottage. The warm light danced across the walls and finally settled on young Estrada's face. She stirred from her slumber, her long lashes fluttering open to reveal inky black eyes that sparkled in the sunlight.She raised a delicate hand to shield her eyes, the events of the previous night feeling like an eerie dream. A sigh escaped her as she stretched like a dozing kitten. The delicate aroma of breakfast floated in through the
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-It was the evening, and the sun had begun to set. Its fading orange light bathed Estrada's room in a soft warm glow. Her bag lay packed against the door, ready for departure. Estrada cast one last look around the room, her gaze lingering on the drawings that decorated the walls."Estrada," Arwen's voice came from the hallway. "It's time to go, sweetheart." Her voice was gentle, but Estrada could hear the hitch in her throat that betrayed her fear.Estrada's heart tightened at her mother's words.
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