♦Raphael’s POV♦ “Arielle!” I gasped as Arielle walked into the hotel, looking dishevelled and beat down. I jumped up from the chair I was lounging on and rushed towards her. Her eyes were red and puffy, and even though she tried to look like she wasn’t crying a few minutes ago, it was obvious. When she suddenly called me and said she was coming over to the hotel, I knew something was wrong with how shaky her voice was. I never expected her to look so distraught. My wolf growled, threatening to burst free. The instinct to pick her up in my arms and pamper and pet her till her mood turned better, then release my fury in who ever hurt her waged war in me, but I subdued it. What was wrong with me? Why was I feeling that way about her? “Are you okay? What happened to you?” I asked, taking the suitcase she was pulling from her; thankfully, she didn’t protest. “Can we please move the date we’re leaving? Maybe tomorrow or next?” She whispered, sniffling a little bit. ‘Wasn’t she devastate
♦Raphael’s POV♦“Thank you for yesterday, and I’m sorry for being moody.” Arielle’s meek voice from beside me broke my attention from the clouds outside the window, and I snapped my head towards her. She avoided my gaze and paid attention to the book in her hand.I stared at her, wondering if she had actually said that or if I had imagined her voice. That was the first and longest statement she had made to me throughout the day. Since she had woken up to the time we boarded the plane, she had replied to all my conversations with ‘ok’, ‘sure’, ‘alright’, and ‘yes’. The best I had gotten from her was ‘I’m fine’, nothing else, nothing more.She had kept quiet, with a solemn look on her face and her head in her book. Honestly, I had prepared for her to treat me that way till the end of the day, and I couldn’t blame her. The wound of her being disowned was still fresh, as was the fact that she was moving to a new place with a man she met in just a few days. She needed space to get used to
♦Raphael’s POV♦“We will land in the next twenty minutes, so here, wear this.” I said, dropping my large black hoodie, a nose mask, and shades on her lap.“Why?” Arielle crinkled her nose, picking up the large piece of clothing with the tip of her thumb and index finger like it was a plague. I would have been hurt if I hadn’t anticipated her disdain.“I don’t want the public to know you before I properly introduce you to them. Though we’re in a private session of the airport, I can’t risk a nosy reporter who managed to break in taking our pictures and leaking them to the public.”It would be too much of a hassle. It wouldn’t hurt our plan in any way, but the uproar was something I didn’t want at all. I wanted to announce my engagement at an engagement party, as it was supposed to be and not stir up another controversy about my dating life again.“I never thought media houses would be so bold. Don’t you have control over them? I mean, you are the Alpha Lord.” She asked.“Because there
♡Arielle’s POV♡ ‘I really, really don’t want to get up.’ I rolled from my left side to my right and snuggled deeper into the duvet. I had been awake for more than five minutes, but I had refused to get off my back. It wasn’t like me to just lie in bed and not want to get up; that was more of Brielle’s thing. I always got up the moment I opened my eyes, which was a minute before my alarm rang, to do my daily chores, but at that moment, I didn’t. For the first time in my life, I was refusing to get out of bed to face the world. It wasn’t because the bed and duvet were ridiculously and wonderfully soft and fluffy or that the ambience of the room was cozy. It was because I was afraid. I was afraid of what was going to happen. I was in a place I had never been before, in a position I had never imagined myself to be in, and I was undeniably afraid. Though I had done all the pep talking, confidence training, and building my nerves of steel for when I was going to arrive at Raphael’s house,
♡Arielle’s POV♡ “Will you marry me?” Raphael asked, and I snorted. “Are you kidding me right now?” I crinkled my nose and gave him an ‘I’m not ready for your games’ look. What sort of question was that? What in the name of the moon goddess was he doing? I had already signed the contract, hadn’t I? Why was he suddenly proposing to me? “What? I decided to propose to you properly. Like a real couple would.” He gave me a loopy smile, and I rolled my eyes at his quirky behaviour. Weren’t Alphas supposed to be big, bad, broody, aggressive a-holes whose joy and merriment only came from torturing others below them? But Raphael was different. Far different. “In case you have forgotten, I already signed the contract. I can’t say no to you even though I want to.” I huffed. “Then I’m grateful for it. I won’t experience a painful rejection.” He chuckled, pulling out the ring from the box and holding it closer to me. “Give me your hand.” “No, thank you. I can wear the ring myself.” I reached
♡Arielle’s POV♡‘Son?!’ My amber eyes stared into the familiar green ones on an unfamiliar older woman’s face. I didn’t need a soothsayer to tell me who she was. Raphael’s mother. I knew I was going to meet his family soon, even though he kept dodging the issue, but I never expected it to be like that. “How long have you been dating him? Why did you stop him from telling me?” She scowled, digging her fingernails deeper into my cheeks. I winced and grabbed her wrist, trying to pull her hand away as gently as possible, but the woman had a titanic grip. “Stop acting like a barbarian, woman. You’re going to hurt her.” A masculine voice commanded from beside her, and a pair of hands grabbed hers and pulled her away from me. I stumbled back, rubbing my sore cheeks. I hoped her assault wouldn’t leave a mark. “How dare you call me a barbarian?!” “I won’t call you one if you aren’t behaving like one.” My gaze took in the duo standing before me, bickering back and forth. For some seconds,
♦Raphael’s POV♦ “Where did you find this?” I asked as George and I moved swiftly through the dimly lit dungeon. The disgusting smell of mold, decay and damp earth hit my sensitive nose, but it didn’t move me as it did months ago. I had gotten used to it after numerous trips there. “Around the same place, we found the last one.” George replied. A small growl slipped out of my lips, and my fist tightened. It was just less than a week since we saw the last one, and we’re seeing another again. They were becoming too frequent. At most, we saw two of them twice a month. I didn’t like it. It didn’t bode well for the safety of my park. If someone was hurt by them and words got out, it would create an uproar, which was the last thing I needed. I wanted the people of Evercrest to keep living under a sense of security, even if it was turning into an illusion. A loud, gruttal growl, snarling, and the rattling of metal echoed against the wall as we walked deeper into the dungeon. We came to
♡Arielle’s POV♡ “What is this?” I asked, eyeing the box Raphael held at me. “A set of necklaces and earrings.” Raphael replied, and I rolled my eyes. I could obviously see what was in the box, and they were beautiful too, but why? “I know what it is, but what I mean is why? Why are you giving this to me?” “Because you’re my fiancée. It is proper culture for a man to give a gift to his fiancée on the evening of their engagement party.” He shrugged his shoulders and stared at me like it was common knowledge. “Fake fiancée, Raphael. I’m your fake fiancée.” I stated, having the urge to sigh and rub my temple. Why was he constantly trying to make our relationship seem real by acting like it was? It was all an act for crying out loud. Had he forgotten he was paying me to marry him? “You don’t need to give me an engagement gift because what we’re doing is all an act. The only thing you’re supposed to give me is the ten million and a mansion, as stated in the contract. Finish.” He reach
♡Arielle’s Point of View♡ ~Three weeks later~ “I can’t believe it’s finally time for you to go.” I said to Liana as we stood in the garden. I smiled at her. It was a bittersweet smile. It had been three weeks since our battle with Killian, and the dust had settled. The issue had been reported to the counsel of the Elds, with Liana standing as our witness, and they had accepted that Killian was a terror to the world and so his death was justified. Raphael had also been crowned the Alpha of all Killian’s former territories and had taken full control of them. The territories weren’t in the best conditions since, well, Killian was a tyrant and was more concerned about his belly and body. Rules were being removed, edited, and added to establish order and justice. “Time flies indeed when you’re not looking.” She smiled back at me, hers the same as mine. At least I knew she felt the same way. I didn’t want her to go. We had bonded over the few days that she had been with us. She h
♡Arielle’s Point of View♡“After so many decades of leaving in fear of him, he’s finally gone. You killed him. Thank you, Ari.” She sobbed, throwing her arms around my shoulders and pulling me into a big hug. “I-I’m so happy. I’m really, really happy.”“It’s alright.” I smiled, patting her back. When was the last time I held her? I couldn’t remember, but I was glad I could finally do so.“And I’m so sorry for everything I did to you. All the terrible things I said and did. I’m sorry for keeping the truth a secret and for disowning you. I’m really sorry. I wish I could turn back time and undo them. I’m really, really sorry.”“I forgive you, mom. And I’m sorry for putting you through all the stress.” I hugged her tighter. We held each other for a few seconds until she let go of me.“Are you ok now, mom?” I asked as she wiped her face.“My chest feels tight and empty at the loss of Killian, but I’ll manage.” She sniffled.‘Oh, I forgot that fated mates are heartbroken when the other dies
♡Arielle’s Point of View♡“What? I’m not the one who makes the rules.” George shrugged like he hadn’t just said the lamest joke in every realm.Had he hit his head during the battle? It was the only reason I could think of that would make him talk crazy.Me, leader of Killian’s territories?! Nonsense!“You’re crazy.” I glared at him. Oh, I got what he was doing. He was pulling my legs.“He’s not, actually. That’s how alpha politics work.” Raphael said. “Whoever can defeat an alpha lord to death or make them abdicate their position becomes the new alpha lord. You killed Killian, so that means you are the new um… Alpha Lord of all his territories, Moonshade, Jannah, Ilios, Tempest, and Rlyoid.”“You’re kidding me right now?” I gawked at him.“No, I’m not.” He chuckled, joy and pride glowing in his eyes. “Congratulations, Alpha Lord Arielle. I’m so proud of you.”Absolutely not! Big no! Capital letters n and o. NO! I was not going to be the alpha lord of any territories. Could I even be
♡Arielle’s Point of View♡A loud, creepy shriek echoed from possessed Killian as he dropped to the ground. I took a step back, watching him convulse and writhe like a worm. Tendrils of red and orange smoke rose from him, twisting in the air as he shrank back to his normal human size.“Curse you, you damned infernal creature!” Hellstring cursed, floating over him. Pitch black eyes, full of hate and malice, glared at me, and I trembled at the large monster.“I will end you!” It raised one of its large hands, claws out, ready to rip me apart.A shining gold chain coiled around its wrist, stopping it from descending on me.“What?!”“You shall not harm her,” Liana commanded, pointing her sceptre at him and more gold chain coiled around its body.“Let go of me, you glowing pest!” Hellstring roared, thrashing against its bind.“Return you foul beast. Return to the abyss where you rose from.” Liana chanted, and the green vortex reopened.Horrifying screams rang as the demons that had slithere
♡Arielle’s Point of View♡They were going to die.A few minutes that felt like torturous hours had rolled by, and the battle was looking grim and not in our favour.The other alphas that were fighting with Raphael were sprawled in different corners of the room, unconscious and riddled with life-threatening wounds that even their super-healing abilities couldn’t quickly heal.I was at the edge of our protective dome, watching the whole thing while my mom was pressed against the wall, trembling from fear and cradling Brielle in her arms.My heart pounded as I watched Raphael collide with the ground in a heap of blood and fur. Possessed Killian lunged at him, claws out, ready to rip him apart, but Liana flew and stood before him. Light flooded from her sceptre, sending him flying to the broken ritual altar.“Is that the best you’ve got? I could do this all day.” He chuckled as he bounced back to his feet. The burns on his fur from the blast healed the next second. There wasn’t even a sin
♦Raphael’s Point of View♦`We will once we’re done with Killian’s alphas. Stay safe.``I will.` Arielle replied through the mind link.My lips let out a small sigh of relief as I knocked one of Killian’s alphas unconscious. He slumped to the ground, transforming into his man form and lying there unmoving like most of his comrades. Only a few of them were still standing but, they would soon fall like the others.`Liana’s wings have been freed. Let’s end this battle now and get inside.` I mind-linked to all those that fought with me as another enemy lunged at me.`Yes, alpha!` They replied.The battle pressed on, and though Gordon’s and my alphas had the upper hand, the enemies were still a lot. Much more than I expected—the benefit of having more than one territory under ones command. It didn’t give them an edge over us, but it still made the battle long. Far longer than I wanted.I wanted to be by Arielle’s side. I wanted to protect her, but I couldn’t until I had cleared all the obst
♡Arielle’s Point of View♡“Finally.” Liana laughed, her voice full of more life and energy than I had ever heard. The light burned brighter, radiating her joy.“No. No. NO!” Killian screamed, and I giggled.`Arielle? What’s going on? We can see the light.` Raphael’s worried voice rang through my head.`We got it! My mom got Liana’s wings! You guys can come inside now.`‘She got it! I can’t believe she got it! It was all a ploy after all.’ I smiled as I used my arm as a shield for my face from the light. The demons shrieking was deafening but music to my ears. Serves them right. Sadistic creatures.So it was all a trick. Her words, the action, and that kiss—it had all been an act to catch Killian off guard. And it worked perfectly. He didn’t suspect a thing, and neither did I. I was just as fooled as he was. There was no slip in her act, no hiccup, and no break in her façade. Just perfection.Pride bloomed in my chest. My mom was a wonderful actress.`We will once we’re done with Killi
♡Arielle’s Point of View♡“Mom?!” I rasped as I saw my mom rush towards us.Was I really seeing her, or was the pain making me delirious?“How? How did—never mind. I know that thing helped you.” Killian snarled at Liana, who was curled up and whimpering on the floor.I wasn’t imagining her. She was really there. Why? What was she doing? Why was she with us? Was that what Liana had up her sleeves? My mom? No! He would hurt her!“M-mom, get a-away.” I forced myself to say as I struggled and squirmed in his grip.“Oh, shut up.” He clicked his tongue, lifting the dagger.“No, please don’t hurt her.” She gasped, falling on her knees in front of him and bowing her head to touch his shoes.“M-mom no.” I struggled harder in his grip, trying to break free so I could raise her up.My blood boiled in my veins. She couldn’t grovel at his feet like a slave. She couldn’t grovel to that monster. I could never accept it.“Tell your daughter to stop struggling else…” He brought the tip of the knife cl
♡Arielle’s Point of View♡ The large pentagram at the centre of the room glowed with familiar green magic, then turned fiery orange and black and morphed into a portal, letting out an ominous aura and the stench of death. Loud, deranged shrieking echoed through the room, shaking the building from its foundation, and I crumbled to the ground. But I couldn’t keep my eyes off the creepy portal. A hoard of howling and crackling smoke-like creatures rose from it. They were molten grey and grotesque, with eyes that were piercing red, and they reeked like rotting corpses. The room suddenly turned too cold, and the air was too thin. I didn’t need to be told what they were to know what they were. I had seen them a lot in Agnes’ books to not miss them. Demons. A multitude of them were flying over the portal like a dark cloud with fire in it. ‘Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid.’ I chanted to myself, hoping it would magically make what I felt disappear. It didn’t. Liana had warned me abo