The water in the bath is so hot that it stings my skin, but I do not dare complain. The woman that is scrubbing my body has a very serious look on her face and I remember that she is not the type to be crossed. The embarrassment of having someone else wash you never gets any better. Treating me like a child she lifts my arms and scrubs my armpits. “I can honestly do this myself,” I say embarrassed as she runs the rag over my breasts. “The Alpha King wants you clean,” she mumbles angrily to herself as the rag travels further south. Looking up at her I cannot help but wonder why she is so angry with me. She appears to be around my age with beautiful golden hair that is pulled back into a tight bun. Her clothes are neatly pressed and nothing about her is out of place. Grabbing her wrist with both of my hands I stop her before she reaches my southern regions. “Please,” I say with a little harshness in my voice. “Let me do this myself.” The woman drops the rag in the bath
Margaret shows me to my room and slams the door shut. I hear the jiggle of keys and a click, and I know that she has locked me inside. I let out a sorrowful sigh. The room that has been provided for me is only a small improvement over the small room that I stayed in as an Omega. There is a bed, an actual bed, not a cot with an overly worn mattress. A small dresser is off to one side and another door that I can only assume leads to a bathroom. Making my way across the room I open the small dresser and neatly folded maid’s uniform dresses are stacked inside. Plain white undergarments are in the top drawer. I run my fingers over the rough material and long for the silks and satins that I used to wear. Closing the drawers to the dresser I open up the door leading to the bathroom. There is only a sink and a toilet. No shower. Of course there wouldn’t be one, I think to myself. Only those of important rank and stature would have a full bathroom attached to their rooms. Stri
Slipping out of my bedroom I quietly tiptoe down the halls of the castle. Using the service stairwells only; I quickly make my way out of the castle’s backdoor. I let my heart guide me as I find my way to the spot where I saw the large black wolf standing, but he is no longer there. My heart drops a little as I look down at the massive pawprints he left in the dirt. They disappear just inside of the tree line. Just inside the forest I walk along the trees looking for hints that my mate is still out here. Rustling the leaves on the ground I look for any pawprints that may have been left behind. But there is nothing for me to find. With a frustrated humph, I kick the leaves in front of me and the scent of citrus and pine sprinkles into the air. The scent is faint but it is enough for my nose to follow. Pulling off my robe, I allow Adeline to come forward. As my skin stretches and my body elongates my beautiful white fur sprouts along my skin. Adeline stretches her paws in
“Get up, Girl,” Margaret says loudly as she rips the blankets off my bed. When the bells rang for the servants to awaken, I had rolled over and went back to sleep. My night had been plagued with nightmares of my past life. Visions of being attacked replayed over and over in my dreams. Only this time it was not Raphael that delivered the haunting message, it was Victor himself and his giant black wolf was the first one to deliver the blow to my naked body. I groan loudly at Margaret and pull my pillow over my head trying to drown out her nasally voice. “I said get up, Girl,” she yells out loudly again. Sitting up in the bed I stretch my arms widely to the side and glare in Margaret’s direction. “I have a name you know,” I say with as much smartass attitude as I can muster. Margaret looks down on me with a strange satisfaction. “What is the point in getting to know your name when you won’t be around for long?”“What is that supposed to mean?” I cannot help the jealousy tha
Standing outside of Alexander’s room the next morning I can feel Margaret seething with anger beside me. She was not happy about having to share her room with me. She made sure to give me only one drawer in the dresser for all of my clothes and gave me boxes for under my bed for what I could not fit in the drawer. Needless to say she is trying to make my life as uncomfortable as possible, but I refuse to let her get me down. She is my one obstacle to get closer to Alexander and to get back to my old life. But as much as I want to get back to Alexander my mind is constantly drifting back to Victor. Just two nights ago his hands were on my bare skin and it felt as though a fire was ignited within me. With just those few stolen moments something has awoken within me and I need to know more about this man that is my mate. “Natalia…” A voice breaks through my daydream about Victor. “Earth to Natalia. Are you even paying attention?” I snap back to reality and see Alexander sta
**Indicates a dream****The light from the full moon bursts through the window. Alexander rolls over to me and scoops me into his arms. He nuzzles his nose in my neck and breathes in deeply. I scrunch my neck down and begin to giggle. My neck is always so ticklish. Alexander rolls on top of me and pins me beneath him. He looks down at me with his crystal blue eyes shining brightly.“You are so beautiful when you laugh,” he says as he nuzzles his nose back into my neck and begins to place tiny, quick kisses all over my neck. I let out a loud squeal and begin to laugh loudly as I try to squirm from his grasp. “Alexander,” I breathe out heavily. “Please, stop. It tickles.” Alexander looks down at me again with a huge grin spread across his lips. “My wolf wants to meet yours,” he says with certainty. My face suddenly becomes very serious. “Are you sure?” I ask him. “My wolf has never met another wolf before. I do not know how she will react.” “Why hasn’t she met anot
Following the scent of my mate, my feet wander through the forest, guiding me to him. Once again I find myself on the familiar trail that leads me to the spring. I find myself standing on the large boulders near the spring, my eyes hopefully scanning the area for Victor. I lift my nose to the air and inhale deeply. The smell of citrus and pine hangs heavy in the air but he is nowhere to be seen. Taking a seat on one of the large rocks I allow my toes to dangle in the cool water of the spring. The night is unseasonably hot, and the cool water is inviting. I peek over my shoulder to make sure that no one is looking as I strip off my sleeping gown and fold it neatly on the rock beside me. Slipping into the chilly water my body lets out an involuntary shiver as I dip lower and lower into the water. Soon only my shoulders and head are peeking out of the spring.“I should have showed up a little sooner,” Victor’s gruff voice fills the air around me and he lets out a little chuckl
The warm sun beats down on my skin as I stretch my arms and legs against the cool grass. A round of tingles erupt over my skin as my eyes flutter open. The sky is a perfect shade of red and orange, with tiny white wisps of clouds breaking up the colors. An arm snakes around my waist and pulls me in closer. I close my eyes hoping that this is not all just a wonderful dream. Waking up in the arms of my true mate is not something that I thought would ever happen. Rolling over, I allow myself to study the man that is lying next to me. I reach one of my hands up and brush his beautiful golden blonde hair from his forehead. A rush of tingles erupts from my fingertips as I run it across his skin. He is so breathtakingly handsome that it is hard to believe that the Moon Goddess would pair me with such a handsome man. I think about my life before and waking up in the arms of Alexander never felt like this. Alexander! I hear the first bell chime inside the castle, echoing its way
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