ELIANAI rose from my seat, politely excusing myself from the festivities, and made my way to the toilet. The pain was still present, a lingering ache, but it had subsided to a manageable level, no longer the searing sensation it had once been.I gritted my teeth, my face contorting in a mixture of discomfort and frustration, as I stepped into the toilet. The pain was still a nagging presence, threatening to break through my carefully constructed facade at any moment. I struggled to maintain my composure, but it was getting increasingly difficult.As I walked away, I could feel the weight of their gazes upon me, their whispers and snickers following close behind. Their cruel words cut deep, but one comment in particular made my blood boil: "She's so delusional to think the Lycan King likes her." The mocking tone and the laughter that followed made it clear that they believed I was nothing more than a foolish dreamer, chasing after something that was far beyond my reach.I strode purpo
AXELI knew they must have attacked her. But who?Almost twenty minutes and she wasn't back.My mind was racing with the implications. I had overheard those men talking, and I knew they were working for her father. But what could they possibly want from her? And why would they resort to attacking her? I thought back to the conversation I had overheard, trying to remember any details that might give me a clue. Something about a secret, a hidden truth... I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I knew I had to find out more. And I had to make sure she was safe. I scanned the room again, my eyes locking on the door. I had to get out of there, and I had to find her. Now.I tapped my foot impatiently, my eyes fixed on the watch as the seconds ticked by. 20 minutes was a long time, and I was starting to get worried. Where was she? Has something happened to her? I thought back to our conversation earlier, and the uneasy feeling that had settled in the pit of my stomach."I need to go get a
ELIANAI slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. I was in a dark, confined space, with no sign of where I was or how I got there. My head was spinning, and my memories were hazy. I tried to remember what happened, but everything was a blur. I vaguely recalled being in the restroom, and then...nothing. Panic set in as I scrambled to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my head, forcing me to lie back down. Where was I? And who had taken me?The air was thick with the acrid smell of stale smoke and something else, something sweet and chemical. It was overwhelming, making my head spin and my stomach churn. I could feel the weight of the smell bearing down on me, suffocating me. It was like the air itself was heavy, dense with the residue of countless cigarettes and something more sinister. I coughed, trying to clear my lungs, but the smell only seemed to seep deeper into my pores. Where was I? A bar? A club? A place where people came to escape, but ended up trapped in
AXELI sprinted through the deserted streets, my heart racing with every step. I had to find Eliana. I had to make sure she was safe.I had been searching for what felt like hours, but I knew it was only a matter of minutes. Time seemed to stretch and compress when I was worried about Eliana.I turned a corner, my eyes scanning the crowded market stalls. I spotted a familiar face in the crowd -...I growled in frustration, slamming my fist against the wall of the alleyway. Tom, my beta, looked at me with a sympathetic expression."I know, Axel," he said, his voice calm. "We'll find her. We just need to keep looking."I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Tom was right. We couldn't give up now. Eliana's life might depend on it."Let's split up," I said, my mind racing with a new plan. "We can cover more ground that way. Meet back here in an hour and compare notes."Tom nodded, and we parted ways, each of us disappearing into the crowded streets to continue our search
ELIANA Isaiah, or rather as he said his new name was Hairos, the name was familiar but I couldn't quite place. I racked my brain, trying to remember where I had heard it before. But it remained just out of reach, teasing me with its familiarity. As I looked at him, I saw something in his eyes that made my blood run cold. It was a glint of recognition, of knowledge that I didn't possess. And it made me wonder, what did he want from me? The memories came flooding back, and I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. Hairos' accusations still stung, even after all this time. He had been so convinced that I was responsible for the fire that had destroyed his shop and killed his father. But I knew the truth. Vivian had been the one to start the fire, her reckless behavior causing the devastating blaze. But in the chaos that followed, I had been the one to take the fall. Isaiah eyes seemed to bore into my soul, as if he could see the guilt and shame that I still carried with me. I knew
AXEL My eyes scanned the deserted streets, my heart heavy with worry. It's been almost 24 hours since she went missing, and I haven't found any sign of her. I've searched every inch of this town, talked to everyone I know, but she's vanished into thin air.I rubbed my tired eyes, feeling the weight of my exhaustion. I hadn't slept or eaten in hours, but I couldn't rest until I found her.I clenched my fists in frustration, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. What if she hadn't eaten in 24 hours? What if she was hurt or injured, and couldn't get help? The thought of her suffering, alone and scared, was unbearable.I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I had to think clearly, had to come up with a new plan to find her. I couldn't give up.What if that searing pain had continued, consuming her completely? The thought sent a chill down my spine. I couldn't bear the idea of her going through that kind of agony, alone and without anyone to comfort her.My mind was racing
ELIANAI felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair, suffocating under the weight of my own worthlessness. Every breath I took felt like a lie, every heartbeat a reminder that I didn't deserve to exist.I was a burden, a stain on the world, a constant reminder of failure and weakness. I felt like I was taking up space that someone else, someone better, could occupy. Every moment I lived felt like a theft, a robbery of time and resources that could be better spent on someone else.The world would be better off without me, I thought. It would be brighter, lighter, freer. I was a shadow, a dark stain on the fabric of existence. And I couldn't shake the feeling that I was slowly unraveling, thread by thread, until there would be nothing left of me at all.I felt like I was being suffocated by the weight of their words, crushed by the constant barrage of criticism and disdain. Vivian Victoria's words, in particular, cut deep, echoing in my mind like a mantra of failure.You're not good e
ELIANA The tears flowed like a river, streaming down my face as the weight of my emotions finally broke free. I felt like I was drowning in my own sorrow, like the pain and the heartache were suffocating me.But even as I wept, I felt a sense of determination rising up within me. I knew that I couldn't stay stuck in this place of hurt and despair. I knew that I had to keep moving forward, no matter how hard it seemed.The thought of taking control of my life, of breaking free from the curse that had haunted me for so long, it filled me with a sense of hope. It was a fragile, flickering flame, but it was enough to give me the courage to keep going.Even my wolf, my loyal companion and friend, would sometimes abandon me. It was as if she too couldn't bear the weight of my sorrow, the depth of my pain.I felt so alone, so lost and forsaken. Like I was a burden, a weight that no one wanted to carry. Not even my own wolf, who was supposed to be my loyal companion and protector.The though
ELIANA I stumbled and staggered, my vision blurring as the room spun around me. What was going on? I was a werewolf, for crying out loud! It took a lot to get me intoxicated , and yet...and yet I felt like I was going to pass out. That herbal drink must have been ridiculously strong, I thought, trying to remember what had happened. I recalled...and A drink that must have been laced with something powerful, because now I was paying the price. My head was pounding, my senses were dulled, and I felt like I was floating on a cloud. Not good. This was so not good.The thought sent a shiver down my spine. Was it for me to submit to him? The one who had always made my instincts go on high alert? I had always resisted his dominance, refused to back down. But now, in this state, I felt vulnerable, exposed. The drink seemed to be clouding my judgment, making me question my own strength. No, I told myself, trying to shake off the fogginess. I will not submit. I am a werewolf, a strong and p
AXELI'd made up my mind, and nothing was going to change it - I was going to get her, no matter the cost, no matter the danger, no matter the obstacles that stood in my way. My determination was unwavering, my resolve unshakeable. I was willing to risk everything to make sure she was safe, to make sure she was mine. The thought of her in harm's way, of her being hurt or exploited, was unbearable. I had to act, and I had to act now.My feelings wouldn't be a hindrance, wouldn't cloud my judgment or weaken my resolve. Instead, I would use them to fuel my actions, to drive me forward. Bringing her closer to me was essential, a crucial step in facilitating my plan. By having her near, I could ensure her safety, protect her from those who sought to harm her. And as I drew her deeper into my world, I would be one step closer to achieving my ultimate goal: making her mine.My feelings wouldn't be a hindrance, wouldn't cloud my judgment or weaken my resolve. Instead, I would use them to
ElianaEverything went hazy and foggy, like a thick mist had rolled in, obscuring my vision and clouding my mind. I felt myself drifting away, disconnected from my body and surroundings. The last thing I remembered was the sensation of falling, but I didn't know what I was falling into. Then, nothing.My words slurred together, and my thoughts felt muddled and disjointed. I tried to speak, but my voice sounded distant and unclear, even to my own ears. My head spun, and the room seemed to tilt and sway around me, making me feel like I was floating on a sea of confusion. I struggled to focus, but my eyelids felt heavy, and my body felt limp and uncoordinated.I was vaguely aware of being lifted off the chair, and strong arms wrapped around me, holding me close. I tried to lift my head, to see who was carrying me, but it felt like it was made of lead. I caught a glimpse of a blurred face, but the features were indistinct. I strained my ears to hear the sound of a voice, but there was
ELIANA The perfect opportunity. The crowd had dispersed, and now it was just Herold and I, alone except for the quiet presence of the maids. The air was thick with tension as I locked eyes with Herold, my gaze piercing and cold. I could feel the weight of my anger and resentment bearing down on me, but I kept it in check, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The maids, sensing the tension, kept their heads down, busying themselves with their tasks as they tried to blend into the background. But I knew they were aware of the dynamics at play here. They knew that something was about to go down. And I was ready to make my move.My eyes narrowed as I watched Herold approach, my mind racing with suspicion. What was he hiding? Why did he have so many female staff members surrounding him? It seemed... excessive. And then, a thought occurred to me. A thought that made my blood run cold. Was it possible that Herold was involved in something more sinister? Something that required a stead
AXELI stood in the empty hallway, my eyes wandering to the spaces where she used to be. I hated myself for it, but I couldn't deny the truth: I missed her presence around here. The way she used to move with quiet confidence, the way her eyes would sparkle when she thought no one was looking. It was all so... absent now. And I was left with this gnawing feeling of emptiness.As the Lycan King, I was supposed to be a force of nature, a being of raw power and instinct. But when it came to her, I felt like I was losing my grip on my primal instincts. I thought back to our last encounter, the way she had stood up to me, the way she had looked at me with such pity in her eyes. I couldn't help but feel a twisted sense of pride, knowing that I had been the one to bring out that spark in her.But now, she was gone, and I was left with nothing but the echoes of my own thoughts. I shook my head, trying to clear the cobwebs. What was wrong with me? I was the ruler of the Lycans, and I couldn't
ELIANA I walked down the stairs, my eyes scanning the room below. As I descended, I noticed heads turning in my direction. I was supposed to feel flattered, and happy that I was drawing attention. But I didn't. Because it wasn't good attention. It was the kind of attention that made my skin crawl, that made me feel like a specimen on display. I could sense the whispers, the curious glances, and I knew that I was being sized up, judged, and found wanting. My heart sank, and I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. I didn't want to be the center of attention, not like this. I just wanted to be left alone.As I walked into the living room, I was struck by the transformation that had taken place in just an hour. The room, which had been ordinary and unassuming earlier, now looked like a luxurious banquet hall. The decorations were elegant and understated, with soft lighting and intricate arrangements that added a touch of sophistication to the space. Soft music played in the background,
ElianaThe weight of my situation bore down on me, making me feel hopeless. Maybe I shouldn't even bother trying to escape. I had no one to turn to, no ally to trust. If I did manage to escape, where would I go? Axel's face flashed in my mind, but I pushed it away. He would probably hate to see me, and besides, I had no idea where he was. I was completely alone, with no one to rely on. The thought was suffocating. Even if I did escape, I would be on my own, with no one to help me. The risk was too great, and I felt like I was trapped with no way out. Maybe it was better to just accept my fate and try to make the best of it. ‘Best out of it.’ I scoffed bitterly at my own thoughts.But the thought of giving up, of surrendering to Herold's plans, was unbearable.I snapped back to reality, the lady's waving hands breaking the spell of my reverie. "Hello, ma'am," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of amusement. I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I realized how lost in thought I had
ISABELLAI watched as he remained oblivious to my presence, his attention focused elsewhere. I couldn't help but wonder what he was doing here and why he seemed so out of place.Within me I wished we would cross paths, but that would just mean unleashing another phase of pain.But before I could ponder further, the ladies escorted me into the house.The interior was luxurious, but in an old, faded way. The air was thick with the scent of decay and rot, and I could feel the weight of years of neglect bearing down upon me.One of the ladies spoke up, her voice breaking the silence. "I will direct you to the shower, where you can prepare for tonight," she said, her tone firm but polite. I nodded, still feeling a sense of unease and disorientation.I looked at the lady; I noticed a subtle shift in her demeanour. She seemed softer and more gentle, and her voice took on a slightly warmer tone.It was a stark contrast to the way she had spoken to me earlier, in the presence of Herold. I reme
IsabellaCannis tossed me to the floor, and I landed with a thud, my palms scraping against the cold surface. Herold's voice cut through the air, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Don't treat her like that," he said, his words laced with mockery. "She's my wife, after all." The way he said it made it clear that he was only defending me out of mockery.His voice was tinged with disdain, and I felt a sting of humiliation at his words. I looked up at him, meeting his gaze, and saw the amusement dancing in his eyes. He was enjoying this, enjoying the power he held over me.I shook my head, trying to process the surreal scene unfolding before me. At first, I had thought that Victoria and my so-called father were pretending to be kind to me just to appease Herold, to keep him happy and invested in their twisted games. But now, I wasn't even sure of that. Everything seemed to have taken a wild turn, and I was struggling to keep up. Herold's sarcastic defense of me, Canis's rough handling, an