I rip my fingers away from the book and the symbols return on the cover. I drop the mattress back into place and my heart begins to race. I look between the door and the mattress and back to the door again. Alexander knows that I am in here. Now is not the time. "Now is not the time," I repeat to myself out loud. Placing the clean sheets back on Alexander's bed I smooth them over with my hands to make sure there are no wrinkles. Quickly I gather the bloodied sheets in my arms and make my way out of the King's chambers. As soon as I open the door to leave it feels as if the book is calling to me. Dropping the sheets at the doorway I make my way back over to the bed. Just as I am about to lift the mattress I hear footsteps coming from the hallway. Running my hands over the bed I pretend like I am smoothing the sheets as the door to Alexander's room creeks open loudly."What are you doing here?" The voice of Raphael sends a cold shiver up my spine. I turn to him quickly and
After hours upon hours of scrubbing I finally got the blood stains out of the sheets. I trod up the hill with the wet sheets in my arms when it starts to rain. Casting my eyes to the sky I let the rain fall freely on my face, washing the tears that I had shed away from my cheeks. As I stare at the rain I hear someone call my name from up ahead. With my eyes blurry from the rain I look forward and see someone running towards me. Larissa. "Natalia," she says with a bit of exasperation in her voice. "What are you doing out here in the rain?"I shrug my shoulders as I push past her. The last thing that I need is more friends on my path to self destruction. No. If I am going to seduce Alexander I need to seclude myself as much as possible. I refuse to bring anyone else down with me. But Larissa chases me down anyway. "You didn't answer me," she says cheerfully as she catches back up with me. "What are you doing out here in the rain?""The King needed me to wash these sheets
As I am sitting on the bed a knock on the door brings me out of my thoughts. "Come in," I mumble as my head rests on my knees. The bedroom door opens and the smell of sandalwood drifts into the room. Lifting my head I look up and see Raphael standing in front of me. "We need to talk," he says curtly as she shuts the door behind him. Pulling my knees away from my chest, I gently set my feet on the ground. "I would say that we do," I say angrily. "Where is Margaret?" "I do not have any idea what you are talking about," he says with a smirk on his face. "Your scent is all over this room," I tell him. "You have a good nose," he says with a hint of humor in his voice. "But the King can't know that I was in here," his tone turns serious. I stand up angrily and stare him in the eyes. "And exactly why should I do that?" I growl at him. "I will be the one punished for her going missing." "I can fix that for you," he says calmly. "I will tell the King that I saw you by
**Flashback**"I know he touched you," Alexander growls angrily. "Tell me the truth."Slowly I back away from Alexander with my hands raised in the air. "No one touched me. I swear it." I tell him honestly but the rage in his eyes will not cease. "I can smell his scent all over you," he growls as he stalks me like I am his prey."It was just a hug," I admit. Earlier in the day one of the male Omegas had engulfed me in a hug while he was telling me about his mate. I did not think anything of it at the time. But when Alexander walked into my bedroom and caught his scent he lost his mind. "You are mine," he yells in my face and I nod my head furiously up and down. "No one is to touch you but me.""I am yours," I say as I reach up and try to stroke his chest to settle him down. But it does not work. Alexander grabs my wrist and squeezes down hard. I can hear my bones snapping under the pressure. "Alexander please," I beg him. "You are hurting me.""Good," he says with an
The rising sun peeks through the thin curtains that I have hung in our room. I let out a little sigh as I look at the empty bed across from me. The curtains that I have hung in MY room, I mentally correct myself. I tossed and turned all night. Each time I fell asleep my dreams were plagued with memories of my past life. Memories that I would like to forget. In one dream Alexander was kind and caring. Trying to win my favor. But in the next he would be the cold and heartless King that I knew he could be. The early morning bells haven't rung yet and I know that the bathroom will be empty. I grab a clean maid's uniform and my toiletries and head down the hall to the bathroom. As I pump the water through the shower I brace myself for the cold water that is about to sting my skin. In a quick burst the water comes spraying out of the shower head and I wet my hair and body quickly before it turns off again. The first bell rings as I am scrubbing my hair. My eyes are tightly cl
I stand outside of Alexander's office with my hands sweating. I wipe them on the skirt of my maid's uniform over and over again. Staring at the dark wood door I try to think of all of the reasons that I could have been in his room without him this morning. I am sure that Raphael has already told him I was in there. I raise my hand to knock on the door but before my hand hits the door Alexander's voice rings out loudly. "Are you going to stand there forever or come inside?" There is a gruffness to his voice but also a hint of humor.Gripping the cold door knob I slowly turn the knob and walk inside. As I walk in the door Alexander is sitting with his feet propped up on his desk. His hands are lazily placed behind his head as he watches me intently with his crystal blue eyes. "You wanted to see me, Your Highness?" I say baring my neck to him in submission. "Your scent gives you away," he says with a grin on his lips. "You smell like chocolate cake." I cannot help but smile
**Indicates a Dream****I gaze at my reflection in the mirror. I barely recognize the woman that is staring back at me. Earlier today I was in my maid's uniform cleaning the King's dirty laundry and now I am standing in a custom made gown. Alexander has chosen a deep emerald green dress for me to wear tonight. He said that it compliments my eyes perfectly. The dress clings tightly to my body, accentuating all of my curves perfectly. My dark hair falls in loopy waves down my back. I look down at the feather masquerade mask that sits on the dresser beside me. A knock on the door brings me out of my trance. I turn to see Alexander walking into the room in an black tux with an emerald green vest and tie that matches my dress perfectly. "I thought that we could match each other," he says cheerfully as he approaches me. "I brought you a present," he says sweetly. He pulls a velvet box out of his pocket and smiles brightly at me. "Close your eyes and turn around." My eyes wid
Victor wraps his arms around me tightly and I lean back comfortably in his arms. He nuzzles his nose into my neck and lets out a low rumble of a growl. "He touched you," he says angrily. Forgetting my nakedness, I spin myself around and look deeply into his bright blue eyes. "It isn't what you think," I tell him quickly. "It was not that kind of touch."Victor's eyes never stray from my own as they swirl from blue to silver and back again. "He touched you," he growls again. "Mine," his voice sounds gruff and mean. He wraps his arms back around me. He nuzzles his nose back in my neck and I can feel his canines lengthen against my neck. "Victor," I gasp out because he is holding me so tightly. "Please don't. Not like this." His canines scrap against my skin but they do not puncture it. His grip around me loosens and I suddenly remember that we are both naked. Something hard is pressing against my stomach but I do not dare look down to see what I already know it is. My
Victor POV Three years later I can hear giggles coming from the kitchen and I just know that the boys are up to no good. "Ezra and Titus," I yell as I make my way into the kitchen. I look around the room and I don't see any sign of the boys. But Crystal and Margaret are unsuccessfully trying to hide the smirks that are on their lips. Standing in the middle of the kitchen with my hands on my hips I glare at my mate's two friends knowing that they are hiding the boys from me. "Where are they?" I ask Crystal and Margaret. "Who are you looking for?" Margaret says with a glint of humor twinkling in her eyes. "You know who," I say as I try to pretend to be angry. "The boys are supposed to be tidying their room." Suddenly a little blonde head pops up from behind the kitchen island and his blue eyes sparkle brightly as he looks at me. "Why do we have to tidy our room," Ezra says with a pout on his lips. Then a little brown head pops up from beside him. Every time I see h
Natalia POVI slowly make my way back to our bedroom after the Blood Moon Ball. It was a glorious event and I was so happy to see how many members of our Kingdom found their mates. I spent most of the evening sitting on my throne with my feet propped up to minimize the swelling. Members of the Kingdom can up to me throughout the night to offer their congratulations and tell me how much happier everyone is in the Kingdom now that Alexander is gone. I have found that many of them are weary of Victor as well simply because he was Alexander's brother. But I assured them all that even though they may look the same they are definitely not the same. Just as Victor and I make it back to our bedroom room a pain shoots through my belly causing me to need to stop and take a breath. Victor is at my side in second. "What's wrong," he asks as he lays his hand on my stomach causing the twins to twist and turn crazily in my stomach.Just as suddenly as the pain came it went away. Standing i
Natalia POVTrying to be as graceful as possible, I waddle my way through the castle to the great throne room. Nicole stays by my side as I walk slowly offering me support whenever I get overly winded from hauling around this large belly. Once we get to the large double doors that lead to the throne room, Nicole gives me a swift kiss on the cheek before she runs off to take her place among the crowd. Even though I have dreamed of this moment ever since the day that I found out about the prophecy, nothing can compare to how I feel right now. The trumpets that surround the room blast loudly, announcing my arrival. Everyone in the crowd turns to look at me. A large lump forms in my throat as I look into all of their anxious eyes. Swallowing down the lump I force my feet to move one foot in front of the other down the aisle. Members of the crowd are reaching through the barriers that are holding them back for my safety. I cannot help but reach out and touch the tips of their fin
Natalia POVEverything hurts. My back. My feet. Everything. Laying on my back on Victor and I's bed I stare up at the ceiling trying to will myself to get out of the bed. I hear the door to our bedroom open but I do not have the energy to look over and see who is standing in the room, but the scent of citrus and pine fills the air and I know that it is my mate. "I cannot believe you are still in this bed," Victor says with a bit of humor in his voice. I try to look at him over my ever growing belly but instead I just flop my head back on my pillow. "You try carrying these pups," I mutter under my breath. I feel the edge of the bed dip down beside me. Victor places his huge hand on my belly causing the tingles from the mate bond to spread over my skin and the pups in my belly to go wild. One of the pups kicks my bladder and I suddenly have to pee. "Ugh," I groan as I try to right myself in the bed. "Now I have to use the bathroom." Victor chuckles to himself as I attem
Natalia POVI look at King Lignum’s outstretched hand and hesitate a moment. “I am not making a deal with you,” I make myself clear. “I will find a way to prove myself to the Werewolf Council without your aid.” “I have already told you,” he says sweetly. “This is not a deal. This is a favor with no strings attached.” “No strings attached,” I repeat after him and lay my hand in his. Without even realizing what is happening I am being pulled through what feels like a vacuum. Images are rushing past me at the speed of light. Closing my eyes tightly, I try not to vomit as we move quickly between the Realms. As suddenly as it started it stops and the sounds of growls fill the air around me.My eyes fly open and I can see that we have landed in the center of the Council’s chambers. Holding onto King Lignum’s hand for support I try to steady myself after the journey that I just had. My eyes dart around the large conference room and I can see that all of the elders are looking
Natalia POVI can hear the sound of someone banging on Esau's door as I step through the portal to the Fae Realm. I look back over my shoulder and see Victor barreling through Esau's front door as the portal closes quickly behind me. Esau is chuckling loudly beside me as he watches Victor try and get to the portal in time and fail. "He's going to be so pissed," Esau laughs hardily. My lips pucker in confusion as I look at Esau, "why would he be pissed?" "Because this is the second time that I have slipped you into the Fae Realm right under his nose," Esau says with a bright smile spread across his mossy face. Rolling my eyes at him and I smack him in the shoulder, but I cannot help but smirk. "He did look pretty angry." "He will find a way to pay me back," Esau sighs a little as he grabs my hand. I let him pull me along as we follow the trail back towards the Castle Flos. We walk together in a comfortable silence as we head towards the castle. I keep the book clutched
Natalia POVThe huge metal double doors that lead to the royal balcony open up with a creak. The sight of the balcony causes panic to rise in my chest. The last time I was out here I killed a man and started a war. My breathing becomes erratic as Victor tries to lead me out onto the balcony. Pulling on my arm Victor tries to guide me outside but my feet don't move. "I can't," I whisper to Victor with fear in my eyes. Pausing for a moment, Victor studies my eyes for a moment and then places a gentle kiss on my forehead. "You can do anything," he whispers to me sweetly. "You are the one true Queen." He looks at me with such confidence that I cannot help but take a deep breath and take a few steps forward. Victor tightens his arm around my waist and slowly guides me out onto the balcony. The night air is chilly as it nips at my bare arms causing me to shiver in Victor's arms. Victor guides me to the railing of the balcony and I hear thunderous cheers from the crowd down bel
Natalia POV"How long have you known?" Victor growls and looks at me with intensity in his eyes. Swinging my legs over the other side of the bed. I walk away from him. Refusing to meet his lingering gaze. Walking over to my wardrobe I finger through the dresses one by one, pretending like I am considering what to wear. Victor walks up behind me, placing his nose in the crook of my neck, he inhales deeply. Before I realize what is happening he has dropped to his knees and is sniffing my stomach, holding me in place by my hips. "Victor," I say as I try to fight him off. "Stop. This is embarrassing." "Is it mine?" He asks as he fearfully looks up into my eyes. Scoffing at his question, I rip his hands from my waist. "How dare you ask me that?" Adeline is pushing forward in anger and I know that my eyes are swirling from green to silver. Grabbing one of the dresses from the wardrobe I storm off into the bathroom that adjoins my room and slam the door. Once I am alone, I b
Natalia POVLocked in my room. LOCKED IN MY ROOM. Victor had me locked in my room for killing his brother. A plan that I thought he and I devised together, but I guess I was wrong. I killed a man that tormented me through not one lifetime but two and I am being punished. He stopped by my room earlier today to tell me it is only until the Council of Elders decides whether or not I am a risk to the Kingdom or not. I did not react so kindly and slapped him across his face. The only peace that I have is knowing that I carry the heir to the throne. Laying on my back in just my opened robe, I look at my stomach in wonder. My once flat stomach now has a tiny bulge just below my belly button. Placing my hand on my lower abdomen I can feel the little flutters of movement coming from within. Even though I am stuck in this room I am not alone, I think to myself. A knock on my door drags me from my thoughts. Closing the robe around my body I don't bother to get up from the position