Kendrick dropped the bombshell, leaving Lucas and me staring at each other in disbelief.A plan? That was never a good thing coming from Kendrick."What kind of plan?" Lucas questioned his father, throwing a curious glance in his direction."We need to leave as soon as possible. We can't keep the King waiting. That means the two of you will need to miss school in the process," Kendrick explained."We?" I asked, looking between him and Lucas. "Who's 'we' exactly?""You, Lucas, and I are going to the palace." Kendrick blinked at me. "I'll also be bringing my entire security personnel and assistants."The Alpha King's palace? It sounded like something out of a fantastical story, not a destination for an ordinary girl like me."The palace..." My voice trailed off as I thought about what my next few days could look like. "But, what about school? We can't just miss it."I'd been out of school for a week now due to the passing of my father, and I knew the dean was fine with that. However, I
Once our bags were packed, we returned to Kendrick's black SUV. The atmosphere inside was tense, the weight of uncertainty hanging in the air."Took you long enough," Kendrick mumbled, not bothering to look up from his phone.He spat out a location to his chauffeur and the SUV began to move again.I found myself leaning closer to Lucas as we drove, trying to find some kind of comfort.He noticed and placed a warm, gentle hand on my thigh.Just when I thought Kendrick was finished ordering us around, he wasted no time briefing us about our journey's next leg. "To reach the palace, we'll need to cover a distance beyond what a car can manage. I've arranged for a private jet. It'll be a 15-hour flight."A private jet? I'd never been on a plane before, let alone a private jet.The nervous fluttering in my stomach intensified."15 hours?" I questioned. "That's awfully long... How will we sleep and eat?"Finally, Kendrick looked up from his phone, giving me a puzzling stare. "Have you never
The airport sprawled before us as Kendrick's SUV glided through a discreet entrance. The road led us to a sleek private jet that awaited our departure.The private jet was more massive than I could have imagined, a true sign of the wealth that Kendrick had amassed.Sometimes, I forgot just how rich Lucas's father was. I forgot that he belonged to one of the wealthiest alpha families.It must've been because Lucas carried himself so differently than one would expect. He never flaunted his wealth, and instead, chose to act like a normal teenager.Kendrick, on the other hand, was every bit the businessman, and nobody would ever mistake him for being a commoner. He practically oozed luxury.As we stepped out of the car, the plane's staff immediately went to retrieve our luggage.They bowed their heads, greeting us with practiced courtesy.I felt a little uncomfortable by their welcome. They were treating us as if we were royalty.Lucas must've noticed my hesitation because he put a hand o
The plane's engines roared as we ascended into the sky, the subtle vibration coursing through the cabin.Looking outside of the window and seeing us soar amongst the clouds was an almost surreal feeling.It felt like I was worlds away from the struggles I'd faced just days ago. Soon, I'd be setting foot in a real palace. A place full of history and wonder.It was hard to process and I had to remind myself that this wasn't some kind of fantasy.To ground myself, as well as feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, I reached for Lucas's hand.The unfamiliar sensation of being so high up in the sky made my ears pop, and I squeezed his hand for comfort.He shot me a reassuring smile, understanding the mix of emotions churning within me.Lucas's blue eyes met mine, concern evident in his gaze."Did your ears pop, too?" he asked, his attention shifting from the view outside the window to my face.I nodded, a small frown forming. "How do I make it go away?"He offered a reassuring smile.
My gaze shifted away from the window as I felt eyes on me.Kendrick took a sip of his alcohol glass, his eyes locked with mine. "The Alpha King has requested private time with you, Shana. You must make a good impression."My stomach fluttered nervously at the mention of being alone with the Alpha King. What did he want to discuss in private? What could he possibly see in me that required one-on-one attention?Lucas, sensing my unease, jumped in. "What does the Alpha King want with Shana?"Kendrick glanced at his son, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "He isn't looking for a wife, Lucas. You can relax.""Well, then why does he need to spend alone time with her?" Lucas asked. "Whatever he needs to talk to Shana about, he can do in front of me.""If the King wishes to speak with Shana alone, then so be it." Kendrick swirled his glass around in his hand.Lucas's protective gaze lingered on me, his jaw tense. "I don't want her spending time alone with him."The intensity in Lucas's voic
His words struck a chord in me, and I appreciated the offer despite the lingering uncertainty about Kendrick's true motives.It was a stark contrast to the man who had dragged me into this supernatural world against my will.My mouth fell open in surprise as I was unsure of what to say.I couldn't shake off the nagging confusion about Kendrick's sudden display of kindness. How could he flip from being the stern, manipulative figure to wanting to play the role of a fatherly figure?Was it because he felt bad for me? Or did he just want something from me now that he knew I was the White Wolf?"I know things have been difficult between us," Kendrick began as if sensing my internal struggle. "But introducing you to the Alpha King has changed the game. I feel a sense of responsibility now. I want to ensure the right choices are made. Don't forget, I've opened the door to possibilities for you."His words hung in the air, carrying an undercurrent that felt like a subtle form of blackmail.W
As another hour passed, Kendrick retreated to the back of the plane for a series of phone calls.It finally allowed a chance for Lucas and I to delve into our thoughts and emotions without having Kendrick breathing down our necks or keeping a close eye on us."I feel like I'm in a dream," I admitted to Lucas, my voice a hushed whisper amidst the subdued ambiance of the private jet. "Everything is happening so fast. It's like a whirlwind after my father's passing, and now... all this."Lucas sighed, a heavy burden etched across his face. "I'm sorry, Shana. My father shouldn't have immediately taken your information to the Alpha King. It's all too much, too soon."Despite the turmoil within me, I found myself offering a small smile. "You don't have to apologize for your father. I know how he is, and I shouldn't have expected anything less. I knew this would all come out eventually.""You've had to deal with so much lately, you didn't need another thing added to your plate.""I know he h
As the evening set in, the hum of the engines became a soothing background noise.The aroma of the freshly served meal lingered in the air, surprising me with its rich and delectable flavors.I'm not exactly sure how they were able to cook a full meal for us on the jet, but I wasn't complaining.The scent of the freshly cooked meal filled the cabin, making my stomach growl in anticipation."What's that smell?" I inquired, detecting a hint of tomatoes in the air.Lucas, with a mischievous grin, replied, "Probably pasta. They must be making us something delicious."Considering it had been hours since our last meal, the prospect of food was particularly enticing. I couldn't help but remark, "It's a good thing James isn't here. He'd be losing his mind over the wait."Lucas chuckled, "Nah, he would've raided all the snacks by now. You know how he is, always hungry."Once the flight attendants finished arranging the trays in front of us, we were presented with a delightful spread of pasta,
TWO MONTHS LATERThe sun cast a warm glow over the royal gardens of the Ethereal Palace as Lucas and I stood across from each other, ready to exchange our vows in front of our closest friends and family.Grandma Jo, Victoria, and James stood by our sides, along with King Alex, Professor Black, and Liam. Alex actually insisted on officiating our wedding which took some convincing. Lucas wasn't too keen on the idea."Imagine being able to tell people that the Alpha King was the one who married you two," Alex had said, wiggling his eyebrows at Lucas. "Doesn't that make for a good story?"Lucas rolled his eyes playfully. "Yeah, a story we'd have to explain for the rest of our lives. No thanks."I chuckled, patting Alex on the shoulder. "I think it's a fantastic idea, Your Majesty."Alex grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I know, isn't it? I do love a good story. Perhaps I'll write a book about it."Lucas shot me a sideways glance, a playful glint in his eye. "I don't know about y
I had the brilliant idea of surprising Lucas will all the new skills I had learned.I'd been so busy study, that I was always too tired when I got home.Showing him the magic I had learned was the best way for me to show him just how much I had grown. With a quick spell and a flick of my wrist, I conjured a portal right in our living room, ready to transport myself back home.As I stepped through the portal, the familiar rush of energy enveloped me, and with a flourish, I emerged in our cozy living room."Lucas?" I called out, unable to contain my excitement.Lucas, who had been engrossed in studying for his upcoming exams, jumped in surprise at the sound of my voice. "Shana? What... How did you... What's going on?"I couldn't help but laugh at his bewildered expression. "Surprise!" I exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.His eyes widened in disbelief as he took in the sight of me standing there, a portal shimmering behind me. "Shana, that's incredible! How did you do that?""I've been
Studying the ancient text of the White Wolf book became my daily ritual.With each passing day, I delved deeper into its pages, absorbing the knowledge and wisdom it held within.When I had told Lucas that the book was finally unlocked, he was ecstatic, and recommended that Professor Black teach me more.Thanks to Lucas, Professor Black had become somewhat of a teacher, helping me decipher the intricate spells and teachings hidden within its ancient script.Even though he couldn't see the pages himself, I practiced rewriting and retracing everything for him to the best of my ability so that he could help me."Professor Black, I need your help with this passage," I'd say, flipping through the pages of the book as he leaned in to listen attentively. Together, we would dissect the ancient text, discussing its implications and applications in our world.His involvement in my studies caused him to visit the palace much more frequently.Alex quickly recognized the value of having Professor
I stood before the locked White Wolf book, a sense of determination washed over me.This was the moment I had been waiting for—a chance to unlock the secrets hidden within its pages and delve into the mysteries of my life.This book had the ability to tell me more about who I was and what I was meant to do.Suddenly, all the trials and tribulations that I had been through in the past year felt worth it for this moment. I deserved this. I deserved to know who I was.With Alex by my side, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. This was no ordinary book—it held the key to unlocking my true potential as the chosen White Wolf."Are you ready?" Alex asked, his voice filled with anticipation.I nodded, my heart pounding with excitement."You've got this, Shana," he said, his voice filled with confidence. "You were born for this moment.""Let's do this."With a steady hand, Alex pricked his finger, drawing a small drop of blood. I did the same, allowing a single tear to f
As I stepped into the grand halls of the palace, I couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation swirling within me.King Alexander had called me here, promising a surprise, and I couldn't help but wonder what it could be.It wasn't unusual for him to call me to the palace, but what he had said over the phone had me nervous."Liam's going to come pick you up to take you to the palace. I have a huge surprise for you," he had said."I hate surprises," I replied, already starting to chew on my bottom lip."Too bad," Alex said and I could practically see the smile that was on his lips. "See you soon!"As I awaited Liam's arrival, my mind raced with nervousness.Surprises were not my forte, especially when they involved King Alexander.He was a wild card and always seemed to be up to no good.Yet, despite my apprehension and hesitation, there was a flicker of excitement building within me.What could Alex have planned for me that needed to be such a secret?When Liam finally arrived, I couldn
A FEW MONTHS LATERThe warm breeze brushed against my skin as I made my way through the palace gardens, the vibrant colors of the flowers blooming all around me.Even though Alex had called the royal gardens overrated, it was my favorite place here.I always found myself walking through the rows and bushes of flowers.It had been a few months since the tumultuous events that had changed the course of our lives, and yet, the memories still felt fresh in my mind.Despite not moving into the palace, I found myself spending more and more time there, drawn by the sense of duty and responsibility that now rested on my shoulders.As King Alexander's right hand, along with Liam, I had taken on a new role within the kingdom, providing support and guidance to the young monarch as he navigated the challenges of ruling a kingdom.The transition hadn't been easy, but together, we had managed to weather the storm, leaning on each other for support as we forged ahead.As White Wolf, I commanded a le
I rushed through the hospital corridors, my heart pounding in my chest as I navigated my way to the room where Lucas and Kendrick were.The sound of my footsteps echoed off the sterile walls, each step bringing me closer to the moment I had been anxiously awaiting.Finally, I reached the door and pushed it open, stepping inside to find Lucas sitting beside his father's bed.Relief flooded through me as I saw Kendrick. His eyes were closed, but I could tell that he was just asleep and not completely unconscious as the machines beeped steadily."Lucas, I'm here," I said softly, crossing the room to stand beside him. "I got your text. How's he doing?"Lucas looked up at me, a grateful smile spreading across his face as he stood up. "Shana? What are you doing here?""What do you mean?" I asked with a frown. "I had to come as soon as I could once I found out he was awake. Are you okay?""I'm so glad you're here," he replied, his voice filled with emotion. He pulled me into a hug and I sque
LUCAS POV "Graduation is almost here and I want to go to Hawking University to play hockey. It's what I've always wanted," I continued, hoping my father could finally understand things from my point of view.But my father's expression darkened, a shadow of disappointment crossing his features as he shook his head slowly."Lucas, I've spent my life building this company," he said, his voice tinged with frustration. "I thought I could count on you to carry on the legacy."I couldn't help feeling a surge of guilt wash over me as I struggled to find the right words to express my feelings."I appreciate your confidence in me, father," I replied, my voice trembling slightly. "It's been difficult navigating everything since you've been gone, but I feel as though I was able to handle it because of everything you've taught me. But having this experience, I'm not sure if I'm fully ready to commit to such a big responsibility."My father listened as I poured out my heart, his expression unreada
LUCAS POV My phone rang with an unfamiliar number, and my heart skipped a beat as I answered it, the anticipation clawing at the edges of my mind.I had gotten used to answering unknown callers over the past few weeks ever since I took over the business for my father. He got far more calls than I imagined, and many of them were scammers trying to steal information from him.I was already exhausted, ready to go home for the day. I didn't want to deal with any more problems today, and that included talking to a stranger on the phone that just wanted to play games with me."Hello?" I said, my voice tight with apprehension."L-Lucas?" came the hesitant voice on the other end of the line. The voice cleared. "Hello, is this Lucas Busch?""This is he," I replied, ready to give this person a piece of my mind. "Is there something I can help you with?""Yes, I'm your father's doctor and I have some news to share with you."I stilled, hearing the words, hoping that it wasn't a prank.My father