Natalia POVI have been awake for only two days and Alexander has barely left my side. When he is not attending to the Kingdom's needs he is at my side, waiting on me hand and foot. He reminds me of the Alexander from my old timeline. The one that would do anything to keep me happy. I am constantly having to remind myself of the monster that lies just behind his playful and caring mask. I cannot let myself be fooled once again by his fake affection for me. He will kill me as soon as he makes me his Queen. "Hello, My Love," Alexander says lovingly as he walks into my room without knocking. "Hello," I respond, choosing to ignore his affectionate nickname for me. "Back so soon, My King?" I am slightly exasperated by his constant presence. "I am just here to check on my future mate." There is a wide smile spread across his face as he speaks to me but I cannot help but shudder with disgust at his words. "I was hoping to get out of this room today," I ask for the second day
Alexander POV "We have a big problem. A very big problem," I yell out Sergio. "How many wolves are on guard on the side of the rogue camp?" "Five castle guards," Sergio says. He is standing with his hands held behind his back and his shoulders are stiff. His chin is lifted slightly in the air as he speaks to me. "Five," I chuckle sarcastically. "Five. Are you fucking kidding me?" "I am sorry, Your Highness, but that is all that we can spare at the moment," Sergio keeps his head held high as he speaks. Pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration I growl quietly in frustration. "How many guards did we lose the night of the exchange?" I ask the question that I have been avoiding for almost a week. "A little under half," Sergio winces a little bit when he tells me the truth. "Fuck!" I yell out in frustration. "It is no wonder he slipped past the guards so easily." "Who slipped past the guards?" Sergio asks curiously. "My fucking bastard of a brother," I sna
Victor POVSomeone bangs on my front door so loudly it rattles on its hinges. Without warning my door swings open wildly and Raphael is standing in my doorway, panting heavily. His clothes are dirty and tattered and he looks like he hasn't eaten in weeks. He rests his hands on his knees as he tries to catch his breath. "What are you doing here?" I growl at him. "An attack..." he breathes out heavily. "On the rogue camp... tonight." "What do you mean?" My eyes widen in fear. It will take hours to evacuate the rogue camp. "Alexander..." Raphael is still out of breath. "Burn the camp to the ground... tonight." I can only put together bits and pieces of what Raphael is saying through his heavy panting but one thing is clear: we are all in danger. "Go to as many houses as you can," I say urgently. "Tell them to go to their neighbors. We have to spread the news as quickly as possible." Raphael nods his head and runs off to the cottage beside mine. I can hear him fierc
Natalia POVA loud roar wakes me from my peaceful sleep. The pictures that hang on the walls are rattling and the roaring continues. Assuming that we are under attack I spring from my bed and grab the silver knife from under my pillow that Sergio left with me. Creeping to my bedroom door I crack it open slightly and peek my head out. Servants are running to and from Alexander's room with terrified expressions on their faces. Realizing that we are not under attack and Alexander is just having one of his tantrums, I close my bedroom door and replace the knife under my pillow. Another loud growl rattles the walls of the castle and I know that someone has got to try and calm him down before he tears the place to pieces. Letting out a reluctant sigh I throw a silk robe over my sleeping gown and make my way back to my bedroom door. This time I open it widely and march out of my room as if I am on a mission. Inhaling deeply I make my way to Alexander's bedroom. "My Lady," one of
Victor POV The rest of the castle guards surrendered easily. Many of them begged us to let them become part of our community. A total of eleven more guards have left Alexander's rule. It may not seem like many but each werewolf that leaves his Kingdom is another one to join our cause. The more people we have at our side the better chance we have to overthrow Alexander. I had never considered sitting on the throne before. Not until I found out that Natalia is meant to be the Queen of the Kingdom and the only place I want to be is at her side. I find myself walking through what is left of the rogue camp. Some of the cottages and shops survived with minimal damage. Others are a total loss. I avert my eyes as I walk by my cottage. There is nothing left but ashes. It is clear that I was the target of this attack. I cannot help if it is because Alexander knew that I was within his borders yesterday. But I could no longer keep myself away. I had to catch a glimpse of her. S
Natalia POVThe tingles of the mate bond take over my senses as his hands cup my cheeks as his tongue explores my mouth. Moaning softly I wrap my arms around Victor’s body and every grievance that I had against my mate is forgiven. Breaking away from our kiss he presses his forehead to mine and whispers, “forgive me.” His eyes are closed tight as he speaks the words as if he is afraid that I will change my mind and blame him for almost killing me. “You did almost kill me,” I chuckle as I run my fingers along his chiseled jawline. His eyes fly open and I am met with a pair of silver eyes. The silver eyes that are staring at me with such intensity that I cannot handle. I avert my eyes and look at his lips. I run my thumb over his bottom lip and watch on baited breath as his eyes slowly turn back to blue. Victor’s eyes flicker down to my lips and my tongue darts out to lick the rain drops that are sticking to them. His eyes swirl to silver once again and I suck in a sharp bre
Natalia POVSlowly I make my way back to the castle, leaving a trail of footprints in the mud as I walk along. Try as I may, I cannot wipe the smile off of my face. Whenever I am with Victor it is like all of the troubles of the world do not matter. He makes me feel like everything will be okay and I don't have to be scared. But that feeling soon dissipates as I walk out of the forest and see my castle guard frantically looking for me and calling my name. Taking a deep breath, I hike up the hem of my robe and clumsily climb up the hill in front of me. My feet slip underneath me and I fall to my hands and knees. Only adding to the mess that I already am. Just as I reach the top of the hill I lose my footing once again and fall back down the hill several feet. I laugh to myself as I get up and retrace my steps, digging my fingers into the muddy ground to help steady myself in the pouring down rain. Once I climb to the top of the hill I wipe my muddy hands on my robe and wave
Victor POVSitting in the rain I watch as Natalia walks away. Jax is howling in my head as she disappears into the trees. A few stolen moments here and there are not enough to keep him satisfied. Hell. It is not enough to keep me satisfied either. The rain washes the mud from my body as I sit and watch the trees where my mate just disappeared. Just as I am about to get up and leave, someone sits on either side of me. I look to my right and see Ivan, and to my left is Sergio. "How long have you all been here?" I say as I wipe the rain from my face. "Long enough," Sergio says as he wiggles his eyebrows at me. Punching him hard in the gut he rolls over onto his side and groans loudly. "Goddess," Ivan says as he watches his brother roll around in the mud in pain. "We didn't watch you fuck her." "Sorry," I growl at Sergio. "My fault," he grunts as he picks himself up off the ground."So what is your plan?" Ivan asks as the rain begins to slow to a drizzle. "There is no p
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