VESTA’S POV I trudged wearily through the corridors of the palace, my muscles protesting with every step. Training sessions had left me exhausted, my body screaming for rest. Elliana and Raya flanked me, their voices a low murmur as they chattered about the latest gossip circulating among the omegas. I half-listened, too drained to fully engage.The palace hummed with activity, anticipation thick in the air. The impending coronation loomed over us like a storm cloud, casting a shadow over every corner. I hadn't seen my uncle since morning, his absence noticeable but not unwelcome. He was likely preoccupied with preparations, leaving me to my own devices. Fine by me.Lucius had been conspicuously absent from my training sessions lately, a fact for which I was grateful. I relished the reprieve from his oppressive presence, though I knew it wouldn't last. He was always lurking, always watching, his motives as inscrutable as ever. I wouldn't let my guard down around him, not for a second.
VESTA’S POV I arrived at the dinner hall slightly behind schedule, the weight of apprehension heavy upon my shoulders. Despite my best efforts to prepare, a sense of foreboding clung to me like a shadow, whispering of impending doom. I prayed silently that the evening would pass without incident, though deep down, I knew better.The hall loomed before me, its grandeur a stark reminder of the world I had been thrust into. My handmaidens and the omegas who had aided in my preparation had long departed, leaving me to navigate the treacherous waters alone. But I was no stranger to solitude, no stranger to the cruel whims of fate.As I made my way to the head of the table, a hush fell over the room, a silent acknowledgment of my presence. All eyes turned to me, their gazes a mix of curiosity and expectation. I ignored them, my focus trained solely on the figure seated beside me.Lucius, ever the puppet master, remained unmoved by the display, his attention fixed on the guests before him. I
ALPHA LUCIUS’S POVThe air in my office hung heavy with tension as Tia stormed in, her fury a palpable force that filled the room. Her footsteps echoed against the marble floor, each one a defiant declaration of her intent. I waited patiently, my senses attuned to the simmering rage that radiated from her like heat from a flame."Well, well, well," I drawled, my voice dripping with amusement as she came to a halt before me. "If it isn't the illustrious Tia, come to grace me with her presence."Tia's lips curled into a snarl, her eyes blazing with righteous indignation. "You think this is funny, Lucius?" she spat, her words laced with venom. "You think you can just cast me aside like some common servant?"I chuckled, the sound ringing out like a clarion call. "Oh, Tia, you always did have a flair for the dramatic," I remarked, my amusement unabated. "But let's not pretend you're here out of some noble sense of duty. We both know why you've come."Her fists clenched at her sides, her fur
ALPHA LUCIUS’S POV As the day of the appointment of the new cabinet members dawned, the sun rose over the capital city, casting a golden hue upon the grand courtyard of the palace. The air hummed with anticipation, the energy palpable as citizens from across the kingdom gathered to witness the historic event.I stood at the center of the courtyard, flanked by towering pillars of marble that rose to meet the sky. Despite my blindness, I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down upon me, the gravity of my responsibilities heavy upon my shoulders.Beside me stood Vesta, radiant in the morning light, her presence a beacon of hope amidst the sea of faces that filled the space. She wore a gown of royal blue, the color accentuating the fiery determination that burned within her. As she glanced at me, her eyes alight with excitement, I felt a surge of pride swell within me. She was a worthy consort, a partner in every sense of the word.The courtyard buzzed with activity as dignitarie
VESTA’S POVThe echoes of laughter and music faded into the night as the party came to a close, leaving behind a lingering sense of exhaustion and unease. As the revelers dispersed, I found myself standing alone in the dimly lit corridor, the weight of the evening settling upon my shoulders like a heavy cloak.I turned to find Lucius beside me, his presence looming large in the darkness. His gaze bore into mine, a silent challenge that left me feeling exposed and vulnerable."Come, Vesta," he said, his voice smooth and commanding. "It's time we retire for the night."I bristled at his presumption, the bitterness of our forced proximity souring my mood. But I knew better than to defy him, knew better than to invite his wrath upon myself.Without a word, I fell into step beside him, my footsteps echoing against the marble floors as we made our way to his chambers. The silence between us was thick with tension, a silent testament to the animosity that simmered beneath the surface.As we e
ALPHA LUCIUS’S POV As consciousness washed over me like a slow-moving tide, I became aware of the emptiness beside me, the absence of Vesta's presence a stark reminder of the events that had transpired the night before. The sheets were cool beneath my fingertips, the remnants of her warmth lingering in the air like a fading echo.I blinked against the morning light filtering through the window, the soft glow of dawn casting shadows across the room. Time had slipped away from me, lost amidst the depths of slumber that had held me in their grasp until the sun had reached its zenith in the sky.I rose from the bed with a heavy heart, the weight of my actions weighing upon me like a leaden shroud. Emotions, foreign and unfamiliar, swirled within me like a tempest, threatening to consume me in their relentless onslaught.I felt a pang of sadness gnawing at the edges of my consciousness, a hollow ache that echoed in the depths of my soul. I was not accustomed to such emotions, to the vulner
VESTA’S POV The weight of despair settled upon me like a suffocating blanket, the realization of my own worthlessness gnawing at the edges of my consciousness. The news of Lucius's departure cut through me like a knife, leaving behind a gaping wound that refused to heal. How could he leave me like this, bound to him against my will, a prisoner of his cruel desires?The tears flowed freely, each droplet a silent testament to the pain that gripped my heart. I felt as though I had failed myself, failed to break free from the chains that bound me to him in ways I could not escape. The thought of his absence filled me with a sense of emptiness, a void that threatened to consume me whole.My handmaidens, ever loyal and ever kind, sought to comfort me in my hour of need. But their words fell upon deaf ears, lost amidst the storm of emotions that raged within me. I pushed them away, craving solitude in the darkness of my despair.Alone in the solitude of my chambers, I felt his presence like
ALPHA LUCIUS’S POVThe heat of passion still lingered in the air as I lay beside Rose, the echo of our lovemaking a haunting reminder of the guilt that weighed heavy upon my soul. I knew that Vesta would feel the betrayal in some form or another, her presence a constant shadow that loomed over me even in the arms of another.My wolf whined within me, a primal force that pulsed with the rhythm of my heartbeat. It recoiled at the thought of betraying our mate, the bond that tied us to Vesta a tether that bound us together in ways that I could not comprehend.But I silenced its protests with a grim determination, pushing aside the whispers of conscience that threatened to unravel the fragile facade that I had built around myself. There was no room for weakness in the heart of a king, no place for sentiment in a world consumed by power and ambition.I rose from the bed, the cool air of the cabin washing over me like a cleansing tide. The weight of my guilt hung heavy upon my shoulders, a b