Agnes' POV I woke up exhausted. It was strange because I did not remember doing anything extraneous. What was even stranger was the fact that I could not move at all and everything seemed pitch black. My heart rate spiked. Has it happened already? Had Audrey's friends succeeded somehow in kidnapping me? The blindfold around my eyes was suddenly torn away and staring right into my eyes was the pair of eyes that filled me most with dread. “You do not look happy to see me, that saddens me. I am happy that we can be reunited like this,” she was smiling and her eyes brought back memories of the torture she had put me through. “I see you can remember the fun we had together the last time, we are going to have so much more this time and you know the best part? Daddy is in his palace comforted with an image of you. He would not miss you.” She cackled and couldn't seem to stop herself from laughing and I shuddered in fear as I imagined just how much damage she could wreck on my body an
Theo's POV When night came I set my plans in motion. It was time to retrieve Agnes and Lord Salmon. I believed that he was hidden here. “When we reach their cells, you will morph into their forms,” I was talking to the two shapeshifters Cyrus had hired specially to follow me. Their jobs were simple enough and also very dangerous. They were going to take the places of Agnes and Lord Salmon in prison so that when the real ones had escaped they will not be discovered missing. It would but us time at the least to return to Ghysem safely. It was a good plan; we were simply repaying them with what they had paid us. I followed the footsteps of the men that I had seen earlier and as I walked deeper into the building I noticed something else. There was a footprint that approximated to that of someone I knew very well. I followed it and it led me downwards. It was a good thing it was mingled with the footsteps I had originally set out to follow. The steps led me to rows upon rows of what lo
Theo's POV“Lord Salmon? Are you certain you want to remain here? If they do not need you, they will kill you,” I asked again to be sure. “I am sure and you need to leave fast so you can tell the Alpha that Larog is a traitor; Larog must not become king. He will ruin everything that we've worked for so far, please,” it was almost a cry for help. “What about your son, I believe Theophilus is to return to Ghysem at the sighting of the next full moon?” “Please save my nephew. If I leave here without him, I… I could never bear to look my son in the eye and be proud of the man he has become. Please save, Claudius.” I had no option then and I did not have all night. The longer I stayed here the more risk I was for being discovered. I left Lord Salmon to rescue Agnes. When I entered her cell I saw her sitting down with her legs folded under her chin. “Agnes?” I called out softly. I did not like her neither did I care if Audrey tortured her but if she was important to Cyrus then it wa
I could not listen to any more of what was said because I felt the cold end of a knife pressed against my neck; I had been caught. “Now, turn around slowly…” the person who held the knife whispered and I complied. He led me away from there and I could tell that we were headed to the cells. He led me towards an empty cell and just as he opened the door I pinned him to the ground and knocked him out cold. I motioned for one of the shapeshifters I had brought on this trip to tie him up. I was going to decide later if he was worth keeping alive or if I should just end his life. I returned to Lord Salmon's cell and when there I had one mission; to return him home. “Have you seen him? Is he alright?” asked Lord Salmon in a whisper. “I believe so. He has been taken back to Ghysem, they want to use his appearance to confuse the people,” I lied without batting an eye. I had to be convincing enough so that I could get Salmon out of here. I planned to break the news to him later when we wer
We were also required to make a vow to the crown never to shapeshift to confuse. That had been many years ago and at a time when the Alpha was still fresh from mourning his beloved Luna. It had been unbelieving then that the Alpha could extend an olive branch to us while in grief. When I received the letter requesting the Alpha's help, I heeded the call without any reluctance. It was very likely that I lose my life on this errand but if not for the king I would have been burnt to death many years back or lived as a fugitive like the shapeshifters that had escaped to the South and were now being exploited to commit crimes. As I strutted the narrow corridor I heard someone call my name. I froze thinking that I had been caught already. “Tom?” the tone of the voice however did not suggest any malice or I'll intent, it was almost friendly. “Tom?” I turned around slowly and there she was; a lady who had given me hell many times in the past, the beautiful lady Audrey. I almost scoffed a
Theo's POV It was the crack of dawn already and we had just crossed the border to Ghysem. We had been extremely lucky not to have gotten caught and I hoped that my visit would remain undetected. As we journeyed towards the palace I knew I had to tell Lord Salmon about his nephew. “Claudius is really in Ghysem? Are you sure? What are they trying to achieve by…” “I have had a long night, Lord Salmon, if you don't mind,” I said cutting him off. It was better to wait until we were within the confines of the palace before telling him that his beloved nephew had died a long time ago and he had been deceived yet again by another shapeshifter. When we reached the palace I led him straightway to a secret room that was only known to me and Cyrus. “Stay here. The enemy is not aware that you are here. If they find out, it will complicate things,” I explained and he nodded. Despite his refusing help earlier I could see that his features had sagged in relief as he sat down on a chair. I went
Eunice POV “Hello friend?” the voice startled me and I almost broke the cup in my hand. Nonetheless, it was a pleasant surprise to see Agnes. “Agnes! You look good. I see you took my advice, no?” I said in response to her greeting. “Your advice?” she quipped and I looked back at her confused. It was then I noticed that something felt off about Agnes. She was the same; same hair, same eyes, same nose but she was different. Agnes never had that arrogant look in her eye but perhaps that came with being the king's woman. It was not official. It probably would never be because the werewolves hated to admit that they sometimes listed after humans whom they considered beneath them. Cyrus was different though. Since I had started working at the palace he had bedded a couple of humans but they were all princesses from distant lands and the relationships never lasted more than a fortnight. Agnes was different. She had lasted more than two weeks in the Alpha's bed but she was not recognised
Agnes' POV Audrey was back. She had a smug look on her face and a smirk on her lips. She had dragged me out of my cell much earlier and it was difficult to pretend that I was still the human she had brought here. It was hard to fake being without sufficient strength to resist the men who had dragged me across the floor to her little torture chamber. “I am curious, really, Cyrus will find out soon that you are gone. Will he come here himself? Will he send someone? Will he give up his throne? How much do you think he loves you?” this was obviously amusing to her because she had a bright smile on her face. I wonder how I had missed this in my previous life. Had Audrey always been this way? Or had she changed after my death? “I am waiting for an answer you bitch!” she said as she slapped me hard in the face. I pretended that it hurt when it did not hurt at all. I was no ordinary werewolf but one bonded to the Alpha so I shared his strength. “I am just a human slave, I have no idea
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