“He deserves to be locked up for what he did to you,” I could see his veins pulsating due to his rage but I had to find a way to calm him down. “You will only complicate matters by confronting him about this,” I said to him but I doubted he was listening to what I was saying. “Complicate what? You are not to return to your father anymore,” he said. “That is why there is no need to complicate this further. Whatever he did to me does not matter anymore.” He wanted to say something more but I stopped him with a kiss. “My father…” I started to say but my words were lost in his mouth as he captured my lips in a deep kiss. He stopped kissing and stared into my eyes to ask, “Are you sure?” I answered him with a kiss and standing in the middle of the long corridor, we made love. Theophilus' POV I had to be the happiest man in Ghysem.I had married the most beautiful woman in the world and now that there were no secrets among us I was enjoying marital bliss. As I walked into Lord Rob
Cyrus' POV Larog was scared. I could smell his fear and I had to say that it had a nice scent to it. I had enough reason to end Larog's life. In fact, I should have done so long ago but I did not want to sever the link between myself and those who wanted my throne. I had left him alive this long for that purpose. He did not know it yet but he was going to reveal to me all those that wanted to betray me. “There is something that I want from you however and that is to look for Lady Audrey,” I watched him closely and I was pleased at the reaction I could draw from him. His face had lost whatever colour that was left on it and I saw him trying in vain to still his trembling fingers. “Your Majesty?” was all he could voice. “Well, my Luna tells me that she was kidnapped by Lady Audrey and I have reason to believe that Lady Audrey is guilty of treason.” “Treason?” his face held a sour expression. “Oh, yes. Her sister will testify against her at court tomorrow but I want you to star
Imagine the tone with which he spoke to me. If I had nothing to hide I should not be worried.Back in the day, there had been no council and when one had been put in place, it had been managed by respectable noblemen and not men like Altid who were of common birth. “You will regret this; I assure you that you will,” I said bitterly and left the building. Before the audit began, there was someone I needed to tell. Altid's POV I did not need to do much digging. There were lots of discrepancies in the project Lord Robert had been assigned. The next day I went to his house to question him. I had brought just Timothy along with me. I explained to the butler my urgent errand and I was allowed into the house. The butler has led me to his personal library where he assured me Lord Robert would be. I knocked on the door and on getting no response, I opened it. Lord Robert was there alright but he could not have answered me because he was dead. “He killed himself?” Timothy's face was
“I was disappointed to see you flirt so shamelessly with my mate,” I said to her but more so I was disappointed in Cyrus for giving into such a flimsy temptation. If he had called her bluff she would not have had the guts to seduce him. “I have nothing to say to that. You were dead and I did not think you would ever be reincarnated. Reincarnation has only happened once and that was many years back,” came her response. “Perhaps you are right but I find that I cannot put it behind me,” I said. “You can do as you wish,” she said. “And there is your…” “Why exactly did you call me here? Give me ten reasons you hate me now?” she retorted. I did not remark on her rudeness. It could be that she still viewed me as a slave. “Given your situation, I want to extend an olive branch to you,” I said. I had no intention of continuing our friendship this time but I still cared about her. I could also imagine that given her sister's betrayal, she must be going through a lot. “I do not need yo
Altid's POV “Your Majesty, to answer your question. I believe the two are not connected. The fact that it happened on the same night does not mean the both are related cases,” I said. As I had arrived at the council with Lord Robert's body, I had been informed that Lord Harold's home had been robbed and the man and his wife had been severely injured. “If the cases are not interrelated, then you believe this is a coincidence?” asked Cyrus. He looked convinced that the two cases were linked but I did not believe that was the case. “Lord Robert was murdered in his home as a result of the audit; I want to assume that is the case. Someone did not want him talking and so he was killed but Lord Harold was robbed and injured. There were valuables in Lord Robert's home but nothing is missing except his life. Whereas, Lord Harold's life was spared but he was stolen from. There are different motives to both crimes.” “And one person cannot have both motives?” “The timing will be inconvenie
Altid's POVThe case was baffling indeed. Except for the discrepancies in the testimonies of the suspects and the fact that beyond doubt Lord Robert had been murdered and his death staged as a suicide, there was no concrete evidence to nail any suspect. “I have released them, your Majesty but they are not to leave the capital until the murder case has been resolved,” I said to the Alpha. “You need more time to investigate?” he quipped. “Yes, your Majesty. I believe I shall find out more in due time but I want to request that you grant me permission to keep Lord Robert's estate under lock until the investigations are complete,” I told him. “You have my permission. As a matter of fact, the title and estate has not been given to Jonathan; I believe he will be here soon to… speak of the devil,” the Alpha said and true enough Lord Robert's son walked in, his face purple with anger. “Your Majesty,” he bowed to the Alpha. “Jonathan, you have my condolences,” said the Alpha although the
Agnes’s POVAnother full moon festival had come around. It was not the first since I had come to Ghysem but it was the first since I had recovered my memories. During the last full moon, I had transformed into a wolf but I had no idea then what was going on. Today was different.At the peak of the full moon, my wolf came out and joined the many others to howl a beautiful tone in the dewy night. Achilia’s POVI could hear the howls of envy at my emergence. The vast majority of the wolves in Ghysem had always envied me. I stood proud and taller than most of them. My fur was a deep shining brown with flecks of royal purple. I have been told many times that I had the most graceful form. But I was seething in anger as I stared at the multitude of werewolves that had doubted my existence. I disagreed with Agnes, I had nothing to prove. If they were werewolves indeed should they not have sensed my wolf? Adrianna’s POVI had spent the full moon festival with my parents. Partly because I
Jonathan was really getting on my nerves. He had refused to answer my question even though I had asked him several times now. Instead of responding to me, he itched his hair vigorously. “Your silence will be taken as an admission of guilt,” I told him but he remained quiet still.“Very well then,” I said and made to stand up to leave. But just as I stood up, he grabbed the edge of my clothes.“You must listen to me, the black veil is coming to get me too,” he cried out. If he was acting then he was really good at it, if not his terror looked real. I shook his hands off my clothes and walked out.I was not certain if I could trust his words but if something did happen to him while in my custody, I would not be able to live with myself. So I told Timothy to double the security around his cell. I reviewed the evidence that had been gathered so far and there was nothing about a black veil. What the hell was he talking about? I sat still in my office and allowed my mind to visualize
It had been two years since Cyrus and Agnes got married in the enchanted garden. Their love had only grown stronger with each day. The palace was always filled with laughter and joy, all thanks to them. This morning, the sun shone softly, making everything look golden and magical.Agnes, with her big pregnant belly, was relaxing in their bedroom on a comfy chaise lounge. She was gently rubbing her belly, feeling the little kicks and movements from inside. They were both so excited to meet their twins soon.Cyrus walked in and immediately noticed Agnes. Despite her being tired from the pregnancy, she still looked beautiful. He went over to her, knelt down, and kissed her belly tenderly."Good morning, my love," he said softly. "And good morning to our little ones."Agnes smiled, her eyes sparkling with love. "Good morning, Cyrus. They've been really active this morning."Cyrus laughed quietly and put his hand on her belly. "Seems like they're eager to meet us."He gave her belly one la
The day of the wedding dawned with a golden glow, as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a warm, ethereal light over the palace grounds. The garden, which had been the site of Cyrus’s heartfelt proposal, had been transformed into an even more magical place. An archway covered in climbing roses marked the entrance, their petals a delicate blend of white and blush pink.Rows of chairs draped in ivory fabric lined the pathway leading to the grand gazebo, which was adorned with cascading flowers and soft, billowing curtains. The air was filled with the intoxicating scent of jasmine and lavender, mingling with the sweet fragrance of roses. Lanterns hung from the trees, their light flickering gently in the morning breeze, adding a touch of enchantment to the setting.Inside the palace, Agnes stood before a full-length mirror, her heart fluttering with excitement and nerves. The seamstress had outdone herself with the gown, creating a masterpiece that made Agnes fe
Cyrus has decided he was going to propose to Agnes and this time not as Agatha, but for who she really was; Agnes. Every detail had been meticulously planned. The garden, a secluded and serene spot within the palace grounds, had been transformed into a romantic haven. Lanterns hung from the trees, casting a soft, golden glow, and a pathway of rose petals led to a small gazebo draped in sheer, white curtains. The sound of a gentle stream nearby added to the enchanting atmosphere.Cyrus made his way to the garden, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Theo, walked beside him, offering silent support. They exchanged a brief nod before Theo slipped away, leaving Cyrus to await Agnes's arrival.Cyrus had informed Eunice, Adrianna, and a few other ladies of his decision. So the ladies had deceived Agnes there was going to be a tea in one of the palace gardens. Only for those with high class. Eunice had told Agnes that she was only heading the other slaves in prepari
Theophilus stood at the edge of the clearing, observing the scene before him. The war had left this part of the kingdom in shambles, but now, with peace restored, the arduous process of rebuilding had begun. The air was thick with the scent of earth and freshly turned soil as workers unearthed the entrances to the underground shelters where the people had sought refuge during the conflict.He walked through the village, greeting the townsfolk who were emerging from their subterranean hideouts. The once desolate and war-torn area was now a hive of activity. Men and women toiled side by side, lifting beams, hammering nails, and repairing the damage. Children, their faces smeared with dirt, played amidst the construction, their laughter a hopeful sign of better days to come.Theophilus paused at the entrance of one of the larger shelters, admiring the ingenuity and resilience of his people. The structure, hidden beneath a thick layer of earth and foliage, had provided safety and refuge d
Lady Asher's screams echoed through the dimly lit chambers of the southern palace, the sound waves reverberating off the stone walls. Sweat drenched her body, soaking through the linen sheets as she clung to the bedposts, her strength waning with each contraction. The midwives hovered around her, whispering words of encouragement, their hands steady and practiced as they guided her through the agony.The air was thick with the scent of herbs—rosemary and lavender—mingling with the coppery tang of blood, a primal smell that signaled new life. King Ares paced outside the room, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and anticipation. His footsteps echoed down the corridor as he awaited the arrival of his heir. The southern palace was bathed in moonlight, casting an ethereal glow over the proceedings.The night air vibrated with tension as the kingdom held its breath, awaiting the cry of the newborn prince. And then it came—the final cry, piercing the night. King Ares rushed inside, hi
The days passed in a haze of stolen moments and whispered promises, each encounter between Ashlynn and Ares leaving her breathless and yearning for more. Her heart ached with the weight of her secret, the burden of hiding her true feelings from the world.But on a day before she was to return to Ghysem, she realized something was amiss. Her monthly blood flow had not come, and a subtle queasiness had taken up residence in her stomach. Her heart pounded as she sought out Ares, her feet carrying her to his chambers with a sense of urgency.She found him poring over maps and documents, his brow furrowed in concentration. The scent of parchment and ink filled the air, transporting her to a world of ancient tales and forgotten lore. He looked up as she entered, a smile lighting up his face, illuminating the room."Ashlynn," he said, standing and crossing the room to embrace her. His arms wrapped around her, warm and reassuring, holding her close as if he'd never let her go."What brings yo
Lad—Ashlynn,” she said in a shaky voice, her words little more than a breath. She originally had meant to say her title, Lady Asher, but there was something about the warmth Ares was giving her that made her change her mind.Ares' eyes were shown in delight. "A beautiful name for a beautiful young lady!" he exclaimed, awed by her queenly form. Her midnight locks flowed down her back like liquid ebony, highlights of chestnut shimmering in the light. Her emerald eyes were so deep, it felt as though they could look into his very spirit.Their talk had flowed along easily, as water flows along a gently inclined plain. They had said nothing for hours.Not only did Ashlynn possess ravishing beauty, but her intellect, her passion for art, and the gentle strength she exuded intrigued Ares. Her laughter was music to his ears.Ashlynn was intrigued by the layers of Ares’ personality- his intelligence, his underlying kindness beneath his mantel of dominance, and the faint glimmer of vulnerabilit
A sad smile graced Lady Asher's face. She took in a deep breath and then wiped a nonexistent tear as her mind floated back to her younger days.The tension of the war that had separated the North from the South had eased up a bit. It was not forbidden for citizens of Ghysem to venture into the South or vice versa. It was during the winter, and Lady Asher Ashlynn's husband had been sent on an errand by the king.Life was beginning to bore her, and she did not want to feel like a burden to her friend, who was queen. Usually, she would spend her whole day with her best friend, but her friend had duties to attend to, and she often felt like she was in the way.Ashlynn had seen the whole of the North, and her curiosity often made her wonder about the depths of the South. When she was a teenager and the war had happened, she had lived in the North all her life, and her dreams of visiting the South were crushed.She did not have any children, so there was nothing to stop her. It was the perf
Soldiers had been dispersed all over Ghysem and the south which has now become a part of Ghysem. They had sent word to other neighboring packs in the West and East so there was no place for Lady Asher to hide. Each day was spent in anguish and constant nightmares for Cyrus. He kept seeing himself hanging from the ceiling with a black veil on his wrist. Other times, he would see Agnes; her face contorted in pain as she swung from the ceiling, a black veil tied around her wrist and anytime he cut the rope, trying to save her it would be too late.He would end up bringing down a lifeless body.Then he would wake up, covered in sweat and panting heavily like he was fighting a physical war. Tonight was one of those nights Cyrus was drenched in his sweat. His breathing was ragged and then his hands shaky with fear. He felt around the bedside table for a lantern and a match, then struck it to flame the lantern. He sat up properly this time and looked towards where Agnes lay, to be sure she