Moana’s POVI accessed the man opposite me with bored eyes. He was cocky, very much so. He spoke with the confidence of someone who knew he could get away with anything and have his way with any woman.“My lady you see my favourite pastimes are all in the gambling den and the inns too, I do think I would miss my studies abroad very much. Of course, Ghysem does offer the same attractions but I have to worry about my reputation especially since my father's is already in the mud. I must say, I was surprised your father let me call on you. You know given the latest scandal about…”“Our engagement will be announced tonight. I will be hosting the soiree here; do well to come on time and for goodness sake put on something proper,” I cut him off mid-sentence. He had been going on and on and I could tell that he was doing everything possible to appear the least attractive and he seemed quite confident that I could back off. He was wrong.“What? Our engagement? I have not made a proposal,” he s
Theophilus’ POV“Father sent you?” I asked as I downed my glass.“He knew he could not trust you; he was right,” said Theo.“So he really does want me to marry now? Does he not wish to be present at my wedding? It's already a pity mother will not…”“He warned me that you might go all sentimental on me; he was also right about that,” Theo said, taking a sip of his wine.“I am not getting married,” I said, not looking at Theo's face.“It is cute you think this is your choice but I shall pretend it is, why not? do you not find Moana satisfactory?” he asked.“She is beautiful, very much so. Much more than I had anticipated but I…”“Then it is settled then you shall get engaged tonight. In the event of your father's disappearance, the Alpha is going to act in the place of your father and the Alpha has put me in charge of ensuring that you get married without delay as per your father's request,” Theo's voice was loud only to the point where I heard him.“Can you give me a week? I need to…”
Agnes' POV“Everything is your fault, everything is your damn fault!” Audrey screamed in fury as she dragged my hair.She had taken to lashing out at me whenever she was angry about something and she was more careless and even more aggressive as though she were trying to end my life.I was not sure what she was pissed about today but she was very mad; that much was clear.“Theophilus? That should have been a walkover. It should have been an easy job! Why isn't anything going my way,” she screamed as though she was in agony and then slapped me hard across the cheek with all her might so much so that it provoked a moan of pain from me.“You silly, stupid human! Your head should have gone flying across the room. I am not even strong anymore, is that what you are trying to tell me?” she slapped me even harder this time and drew blood.“Theophilus escaped us? Now, guess what? He is planning a stupid wedding. They are all so funny! laughing and celebrating when they are all about to go down
Gertrude's POV“Gertrude hon, you did not meet that strange man again, did you?” my mother asked me as soon as I stepped into the house.“No, why do you ask?” I asked rather innocently.“Nothing, were you able to buy the seasoning?” she asked.“Of course,” I gave her the items I had bought and watched her walk into the kitchen.I had lied. I had seen the strange man on my way back just as he had been leaving our compound. He had given me a sneaky smile and made even more sneaky comments about me before walking off.It was easy to guess that he had been here and he had wanted something from my mother.I also knew what would happen tonight.When the clock struck twelve that night I saw my mother walk into Gerard's room. I followed her softly so she would not hear me. She left the door ajar and I could see her kneel by my brother's bedside and then tap him softly.Gerard woke up and before he could protest she had arrested his eyes with hers. Her eyes were no longer there, instead, her s
Larog's POV “The lady you asked for, Minerva. Her legal name is not Minerva but Constance. Not much about her either. Married twice; the first husband died of a stroke, and the second is in a faraway land doing some trade. Her oldest daughter is abroad getting an education. Boring stuff, all you need to know is inside there,” Picasso threw a file on my lap. “So I paid so much for such boring information?” I asked. I was not just annoyed; I was very annoyed. I know there was much more to Minerva than boring; what meets the eye. I had expected Picasso to dig further than what he had given me. “There is no refund for boring information in case you're curious. It's not my fault that you do not find the information satisfactory,” Picasso shrugged. I had a mind to push my fist into his face but held myself in place. “I see. Thanks.” I left Picasso's den feeling unsatisfied. I knew I had not dreamt the force Minerva had used to resist me with the door. She was not a human; that much I w
Minerva’s POV I woke up to Gerard tapping me rather vigorously. I opened my eyes and a glance at the window told me it was still far from morning so what did Gerard want from me at this time? He was no longer a baby who was scared of the dark or ran to his mum when he had a nightmare. However, before I could ask him what he wanted, I heard it. I stood up at once and fetched Gertrude too then I took them both to the store and said to them both, “You are to remain here, okay? No matter what happens. Someone will come to get you later; he will be holding a green lantern. Do whatever he tells you to do,” and with that, I shut the store behind them. I walked to the trance of my compound where a small crowd had formed outside booing against me. Some were even going as far as to throw stones and sticks. Bravely, I unlocked the gate and at once the authorities grabbed me. I made no move to protest them carrying me away. Somehow, I had anticipated it so I was not surprised. As the authori
Theophilus' POV“I hereby announce that Theophilus, the new Lord Salmon shall be in charge of the construction of the bridge that will link the capital to the mainlands of Linthorpe,” Cyrus' voice was firm as he made this announcement. It dared the ministers to question his reason but I knew they still would. If I were in their shoes I would question the appointment myself. “Your Majesty? If I may?” one of the ministers came forward to speak. It was Lord Robert. Of course, if anyone had the guts to say what was on their mind it would be Lord Robert. “Is there an issue, Lord Robert?” questioned Cyrus. “Your Majesty, I do not question the expertise you have employed to do the job. The Salmon's have a reputation when it comes to architecture and building however, there is a moral issue. Lord Salmon is still a fugitive on the run on grounds of embezzlement. Entrusting another Salmon with a project worth a lot of money is not the best course of action as of now,” said Lord Robert. A lo
Tom’s POVAudrey had been in a foul mood since King Ares' had come to pay her a visit. I had thought that I had seen her in her worst mood but I was wrong; she was even more irritable now than ever. She was barking orders at everyone and at the slightest provocation she would throw something in any direction that pleased her. I had been a victim of one of her spontaneous throws and the worst part was that she had mandated me to follow her everywhere. She began to descend to the cells beneath and I followed her even though this place gave me chills. The only thing that was bearable about this place was the presence of the Luna. She stopped in front of a cell and told me to open the small gate to the cell. I knew who was on the other end; it was the other shapeshifter Theo had left behind. “Salmon; I have missed your face,” said Audrey with a sadistic smile. “I think it is time you return home, what do you say to that, huh? You must miss your son very much and a little birdie told m
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