I want to say thank you to everyone that gave this story a chance. I know that it is very different from my previous works.
NATALIA I push my plump bottom lip out in a little pout and stomp my foot on the ground. I can’t believe he is telling me no. Alexander never tells me no. He watches me with a smirk on his face as I throw my little tantrum, almost like he is enjoying my displeasure. “Please…” I beg. “It is just so hot outside.” “My beautiful Little Queen,” Alexander says as he cups my cheek in his hand and rubs his thumb over my lip. My breathing hitches a little bit at his touch, but I refuse to give in. I want to go swimming. “It isn’t a good day today.” Alexander says shortly. Gently I run my fingers over the stiff collar of his shirt. A shirt that just a few months ago I would have had to iron myself. “I am sure you could use a break today. You are always working.” Alexander groans impatiently under my touch. His crystal blue eyes darken as I run my fingers over the beautiful mark that sits on his neck, my mark. “I will send you with Ra
A loud banging on my door disrupts my thoughts. I tried to go to sleep when I found myself back in my old room, but it was useless. How was I a Queen yesterday and back to an Omega today? Am I getting some sort of second chance? “I have to tell someone,” I murmur quietly to myself. But then who could I trust with this type of information? Who would believe that I have traveled back in time to fix the future? It sounds insane even though I know that it is the truth. Alexander. Alexander would have to believe me. The loud banging continues and an even louder voice booms through my bedroom door. “It is Monday, Nat,” Rebecca yells through the door. “Laundry day.” “Yes ma’am,” I call through the door. Rebecca is the head Omega, and she takes her job very seriously. Everything must run smoothly, or she is unhappy. Pulling myself from the bed I press my fingers against my temples trying to alleviate the pain behind them. Pulling
I peer out of the old sheets that I have hung in my room as curtains. Pulling the latch to my window I shove it open and let the night air come into my room. I had hoped that it would be refreshing but I was wrong. The breeze that hits my face is as warm as the day was. Propping myself up into the window ledge I close my eyes and listen to the sounds of the night. From way up here I can hear everything, and it soothes my wolf, Adeline. Far off in the distance I can hear the rushing water of the spring that feeds into the river and just like always the cool water calls out to me. My eyes wander to the ground and none of the guards are patrolling on this side of the castle. Swinging my legs outside of the window I let them dangle for a moment while I listen for the sounds of the guards. Satisfied that I won’t get caught, I slink myself out of the window and hold on to the edge until I feel my toes grip the lattice that is underneath. Carefully and quiet
**Indicates a Dream** My body groans in pain as I lay down in my bed. Rebecca has been especially cruel to us this week and my muscles are screaming for some sort of relief. Laying on my cot I try not to think about what tomorrow will bring. Tomorrow is the Labyrinth. Tomorrow my life changes forever for the second time. I wish that I could go into the Labyrinth with hope of finding my mate, but I already know the truth. My mate will not be waiting for me on the other side of the impossible maze. A warm breeze flutters in my bedroom carrying hints of citrus and pine. Adeline goes wild in my mind begging for me to take her back to the spring to see Victor. “No,” I grumble anxiously. “Tomorrow is too important.” Closing my eyes I let the delicious scent lull me into a deep sleep. **“There are things you need to see,” a voice echoes in my mind. “Things you need to know about the past.” I am pulled backwards through the night.
The day is hot. Sweat beads form on my forehead as we stand outside of the castle waiting for Alpha Alexander to come out. I lift my nose to the air and discreetly searching for the scent of my mate, but I know it is too early in the day for me to detect him. I frown at the thought that my mate won’t be waiting for me within the Labyrinth, but I already knew that. I have lived this once before. I should be disappointed, but I am not. I know that Alexander waits for me at the end of the three days. With a loud creek the castle doors open wide and Alexander, my Alexander, walks slowly through the doors and stops just at the edge of the platform. I stare up at his beautiful, chiseled face and butterflies form in my stomach. Even though I know that he will be cruel to me for a few weeks I cannot help but remember how gentle and kind he becomes. Everyone else bows their head in respect as he scans his crystal blue eyes over us. When he reaches me I give him
The sunlight peeks over the tall walls of the Labyrinth and beats down on Adeline’s fur causing her to stir. She stretches her feet out in front of her like a cat would and digs her nails in the dirt floor. Shaking the dirt and dust off her fur from sleeping on the ground. She arches her back and begins to shift, allowing me to come forward once again. Once my bones snap back into place I grab the neatly folded maid’s dress and slip it over my head. As I snap the buttons one by one I lift my nose to the air and sniff. The scent of citrus and pine is nowhere to be found. I cannot help but feel a little disappointed in the fact that I can no longer track down the scent. It is almost like I imagined the scent yesterday. I slip on my black flats, and I look around at my surroundings. The corners and corridors have all changed since I fell asleep last night. I let out a frustrated sigh and my arms flop to my side. Looking around I have no idea which way to go. So I just pick
Adeline refuses to let me rest. The higher the moon grows in the sky the more desperate she becomes to find her mate. She forced the shift hours ago and refuses to give me back the reins. With her nose to the ground she hunts for the scent that she craves. The scent of citrus and pine. She is positive that the scent belongs to her mate. I have long stopped trying to reason with her. We aren’t here to find our mate. We are here to find our way back to Alexander, but she is a wolf obsessed with finding her goal. Never stopping to rest, Adeline keeps hunting our mate until the wee hours of the morning. The sky turns a beautiful shade of orange and purple as the sun rises in the sky. I watch the breathtaking sunrise from behind Adeline’s eyes and I beg her to stop and take a break for a few hours. Letting out a little humph of frustration she finally tires herself out and lays on the hard ground and closes her eyes. Once Adeline’s mind is calm once again I let myself rest
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
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