Brielle let out a deep sigh as she stared longingly out into the castle gardens. Everything was so quiet, peaceful. Nothing could be heard from all around, except the whistling of the wind in the cool autumn night.Slouching on an old oak bench, time felt like it was stood still for Brielle. She rested her head against the wooden frame and studied the pre-lit sky above her. She couldn’t resist the temptation to smile as she reminisced on her last evening out here, under the stars.Only unlike right now, she wasn’t alone. She was with Ryker. She had enjoyed the night much more than she had allowed herself to let on to others. His presence brought her a sense of calm she’d previously never experienced and a rush of happiness she never thought she would get to feel.The truth was, she’d never really allowed herself to believe that kind of happiness was meant for her. Her duties were to Shadow and having a mate would only distract her from her responsibilities, or so she had once thought.
A deafening growl echoed throughout the bushes which landscaped the gardens. Brielle’s face fell blank as she clenched her jaw, preparing for action. Reid’s expression hardened as his eyes scanned the enclosure, searching for the animal that threatened them.The faint sound of leaves crunching against the grass bed pinpointed the threats whereabouts, as both Brielle’s and Reid’s heads snapped in that direction.Brielle’s brow quirked as she observed the snarling wolf creeping towards them.“Is this a joke?” Ocean queried flatly.The scraggy, auburn wolf bared it’s teeth as it took another heavy step closer to the duo, slamming its paw to the ground. The rogue was attempting it’s fiercest impression, but neither of the Alpha’s could see past the scrawny frame which it carried.It was malnourished, weak. Barely even a threat to an unranked warrior. The rogue wasn’t to be underestimated though, it was clear it had turned feral, meaning it would do just about anything to kill its prey.Wi
Brielle’s eyes widened as she watched her mates stumble into the thin air where the Rogue King was just standing.“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” River muttered in infuriation as the reality of what had just happened set in.Reid’s pupils flared as he and Ryker shared knowing looks, their father had experienced run ins with Zion before and just as he would get close to defeating him, Zion would vanish.River noticed the alarmed expression Brielle was wearing, as her eyes fixated on where she had last seen the Rogue King.Pushing his anger aside, he dashed towards her and took her hand in his, before hastily checking her body for any injuries. Slowly coming out of her daze from the sensation of River pulling her limbs, she narrowed her eyes on him as a line formed between her brows.“What are you doing?” She questioned, although she didn’t remove her hand from his.Rivers eyes locked with hers. “Are you alright? Did he hurt you?”Brielle pressed her lips together to hide her amu
Brielle and her anxious entourage followed Arlen in hast as he led them to the King’s office. Arlen continued to send Brielle reassuring smiles as she caught his eye, but he wasn’t too confident on what she was about to walk into.He gently knocked on the white, wooden door that separated them and his parents, and awkwardly pressed his lips together as they waited for a response.“Come in.” King Nathaniel called out, before Arlen swung open the door for Brielle and motioned for her to go in, to which she apprehensively did.The Queen sat behind the large glass desk, with her husband closely beside her, remaining silent as Brielle entered.The corners of the Queen’s lips turned upright as she watched the triplets sheepishly follow behind the young Alpha. “I didn’t realise you were all called Brielle.” She grinned at the protective trio.They each glanced at one another, waiting for one of them to respond to the Queen’s remark. Between awkward head scratches and widened eyes, none of th
“What?” Brielle and River exclaimed in unison.Brielle warily observed River after his outburst before turning her attention back to the King.“How is that fair?” She queried, however it was more of a rhetorical question. “None of this is my fault!”“We don’t want to win this way.” River insisted. “Brielle doesn’t deserve to be stripped of her title because some weirdo has a crush on her.” The spite River felt towards Zion was abundantly clear in his tone.The King sighed. “Believe me, we know. I’ve had Jacques reviewing the bylaws since we got back.” He briefly shook his head. “But there is no other way.”“What if we all forfeited?” Reid stepped forward.“Then you would return to your original positions prior to the Battle of the Alpha’s starting.” The Queen confirmed. “But there would be no restarting once the threat was eliminated.” “Well Brielle forfeiting is out of the question.” Ryker added matter-of-factly.“If Brielle forfeits, we all do.” River confirmed in agreement with h
Scarlett let out an exasperated sigh as she swung her feet over the edge of the bed. “Well I guess that’s our queue to leave, Harls.”Harlie wagged her brows at her sister before briefly patting Ryker on the shoulder. “Don’t get too wild with the biscoff, kids.”Brielle rolled her eyes, before she motioned for Ryker to sit beside her as she smiled warmly at him. She had missed him the last couple of days, ever since their date, and had been hoping they would get some alone time together soon.Ryker grinned before hastily jumping onto the bed, wrapping his arm around Brielle’s waist and pulling her close.Brielle let out an amused giggle as Ryker tackled her to him. “Someone’s happy.” She commented.Ryker squeezed her tightly, before grinning down at her. “How can I not be when I’ve finally got you all to myself.”Brielle’s heart fluttered as she stared back at him, enjoying the warmth his vanilla scent brought as it enveloped around her. She found herself getting lost in his pale blue
“You’re what?” Brielle’s eyes widened in shock as Ryker’s words took a short moment to register. “I’m dropping out.” He repeated with a sharp, adamant nod. Brielle hastily jumped off the bed, before turning to face Ryker as she placed her hands on her hips. “I told you not to do that.” “Bri, this is a good thing!” Ocean encouraged. “He doesn’t have to do this, we wouldn’t do it for him.” Brielle admitted. “We have more to lose, it’s completely different.” Ocean responded, trying to aid her human counterpart to see reason. Ryker chuckled lowly as he rolled his eyes. “And I’m doing it anyway.” He retaliated. “Ryker.” Brielle began as she placed her fingers on her temples. “I can’t let you do this because of me.” He pressed his lips together to hide his amusement as he observed his stressed mate. “I didn’t ask for your permission.” Brielle sounded out an exasperated groan as she squeezed her eyes tightly shut. “Ryker, this is more important than the bond. You can’t give this up.”
“Rise and shine!” Scarlett’s cheerful voice echoed throughout the room as she drew back the curtains. Brielle scrunched up her face as the sunlight struck her.“Scar, go away!” Brielle groaned as she buried her face deeper into Ryker’s chest. Ryker chuckled as he tightly squeezed her against him. He’d been awake for at least an hour, but he didn’t have the heart to wake his mate. She had looked too peaceful, relaxed.“Thank goddess you’re both clothed.” Harlie muttered as she entered the room carrying three lattes. Her eyes flickered to the cups before meeting Ryker’s as she wore an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I would have gotten you one too if I’d known you were still going to be here.”Ryker smiled. “Don’t worry.”Scarlett jumped onto the edge of the bed, narrowly missing Ryker’s feet, as she grinned at the pair. “Forget about your own room, Ryker?” She teased.Ryker smirked, amused by Scarlett’s cheekiness, as Brielle sounded out another deafening groan.“She’s not a morning person.”