Agnes POV Something was happening to me that I could not explain. It was like the painting; I had no memory of painting; and had never learned to paint and yet it all felt so familiar, it came so easy. When I held the brush something magical seemed to happen to me. It was this overpowering feeling that I was something much more than I knew myself to be. It was as though a part of me that I had kept repressed had suddenly come to life. Sometimes I found myself struggling to remember something or my body did things that were strange to me but seemed familiar to me. For instance today I wanted to go and sit by the east garden while watching the moon take its full form. I could not think of any logical reason I wanted to do this almost to the point of banging at the door to be let out. Then I began to sob, despairing that I would not get to see the full moon tonight. I paced the entire length of Cyrus' quarters until I came upon a safe. My hand seemed to have a mind of its own as it p
Salmon's POVI woke up in a strange room. It was not my house nor was it the palace where the king has kept me. I tried to stand up but it was futile; my hands and feet had been bonded by strong ropes. I tried to think of a possible explanation why this but could come up with nothing. If the Alpha had decided that I was guilty he would have tried me and told me the reason he thought so before trying me. Besides if I had been found guilty I would be sent to the gallows immediately. The door opened and in came a man that I knew so well; one that I had shared many pints of beer with and had eaten several times with; his name was Larog. His name was Larog. There was only one possible explanation then; the king had found me guilty. This made my heart sink in my chest. How was that possible? Of course, if I was guilty I must have been framed because I had a clean conscience. I had not known that my nephew had been stealing government money and hiding funds in the South pack. Althoug
Cyrus' POV I led a confused Agnes back to my quarters. When I had shut the door behind us, I checked the entire room just in case there was something suspicious, I found nothing. “You need to remain here until the full moon passes,” I made her sit on the bed. “What is happening to me, Cyrus?” her eyes sparkled with shock after she had called me by my name. I smoothed her hair with my hand and said, “It's okay, we'll figure this out.”“We?” “Yes. But I need you to remain here. Some ugly things are wandering the palace, I do not want them to hurt you, okay?” I quipped; the confusion on her face had not dispelled but she seemed to understand me. “Are Audrey's friends in the palace?” she asked. It was the first time she had mentioned the name of the person who had hurt her. “It doesn't matter, okay? You will be fine. I will have more people guard this place.”“Will you be with Adrianna tonight?”“I… Adrianna was a mistake. It will never happen again,” If it were not for my duties a
Larog was right.I did begin to regret it after I had been bent over and beaten forty straight times on my buttocks. I was certain I would never be able to sit again in my life. Afterward, I was dragged into a cell. The moment the gates were shut, the world turned black around me. It was several hours before I regained my consciousness but my body was numb with pain; I could not move at all. However I felt the presence of another in the room My mind was sent to instant panic, was this another round of torture? How long before the Alpha found out that I had been kidnapped? “Lord Salmon?” at least it was not the voice of Larog but what confused me was why the voice sounded like my nephew, Claudius. I summed it up to the pain, I must be delirious. “Father? It is me,” Claudius had grown up in my home and was like a son to me so he had always addressed me as father and I addressed him as a son. “Son? Do you hunt me now?” I responded to the hallucinating voice speaking to me. “Father?
Cyrus' POV I went myself to investigate the cell Audrey had disappeared from. There was no sign of a forced entry or struggle and I checked for anything to indicate she had tried calling for help but there was nothing. “Did it occur to you perhaps that she might have escaped?” I quizzed Adrianna who seemed startled that I would even consider that a possibility. “Escaped? That doesn't make any sense. She wouldn't…” “There is nothing here to suggest that she was forced out of here,” I gave my reason. “She might have been asleep…” “She is a werewolf from a direct descendant; her superpower is her ability to hear even the littlest sounds in her sleep, if someone tried to kidnap her she would have known,” was the conclusion I could infer from the situation. “There are other possibilities if it was done by one with a shadow skill…” “There is no shadow in the palace,” I said abruptly and looked into her eyes as I did so trying to check if she knew more than she should. “Maybe…” “Ad
McNeil’s head rolled to the ground before I saw the edge of Cyrus' sword. Everyone gasped in shock and I saw Adrianna running towards the entrance of the garden where the full moon celebrations were ongoing. What was she running from? Had she been the one to instigate rumours about Cyrus' supposed impotence? “Any other person with a reason to think I might be impotent?” Cyrus' voice thundered dangerously. I could see the veins stand out on his neck and knew instantly that he was not only angry but enraged, Adrianna was right to run. Cyrus could not be reasoned with in this state. Nobody answered. Nobody wanted to end up like McNeil who had not had a chance to even defend what he had said. “It seems as though this gossip has been spreading amongst you for a while. Tell me, who started it?” Cyrus' voice was deceptively calm. “The slaves that are passing the…” A woman by the name Philemona stepped out to speak but Cyrus did not let her finish. “The slaves? How easy it is for you t
I skimmed through the rest of the letter with a smile on my face. I could rest easy now, everything was going to be alright. *+*+*+*+Salmon's POV I had been beaten until my vision blurred, then darkened, and then I was dunked into a pool of water and thus forcefully roused, and the whole process repeated. This was the seventh time and I had at this point emptied my guts. I was sick and I wanted to puke but there was nothing left in me. “Why are you doing this?” I was beyond exhausted. “You're a werewolf, we'll stop on the tenth time, this is fun you know, really it is if you're the one watching but you've given up that right or you could be…” “What do you want to know? Please just stop this,” I pleaded. “Oh, this is not because I want something; I'm just having fun,” Larog was grinning as he said this, and up until now I had never known anyone could be so sick. If Larog planned to take over Ghysem not only was Ghysem in trouble but the whole world was. I needed to warn Cyrus
Theo's POV “What I cannot understand is if you are in the know in all this or not,” Cyrus had his head cocked to his side. His face bore a serious expression as he studied Adrianna's face from across him. She had arrived at the palace in the morning like she had promised and I was pleased to see that she was much more composed than last night. Her calmness bothered me a little too. I had thought that given her sister's disappearance, she would show some signs of distress. “I do not believe my sister would do any of the things that you have said she did,” came Adrianna's response. “I did not believe my brothers would plan to kill me either,” replied Cyrus. “My sister… I know her, she's not like that,” said Adrianna. “So who leaked what happened in your bedroom? And why do they have half the story? I can, I just did not want to and we both agreed that for Agatha's sake, we shouldn't. You were her best friend,” this was one reason Cyrus had shown Adrianna this much grace. He believ
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