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,
As the private jet touched down, the anticipation in the air grew palpable, settling into the pit of my stomach like a heavyweight. The jet engines hummed their final lullaby, signaling the end of our journey and the beginning of an unknown chapter."Did you sleep well?" Lucas inquired, a gentle smile playing on his lips as I rubbed away the remnants of sleep from my eyes."Surprisingly, yes," I replied, taking in my surroundings. "Did I really sleep through the rest of the flight?""You did. I figured you needed the rest, so I let you be. You looked too peaceful to disturb." He bent down, planting a soft kiss on my lips.Anxiously, my gaze darted around to locate Kendrick, only to find him sitting across from us, seemingly engrossed in his own thoughts."PDA in front of your dad?" I teased with skepticism. "Are you trying to provoke him?""I don't care. You're my girlfriend, and for the next four days, I won't be able to kiss or touch you whenever I want." He bent down for another ki
I snapped awake due to the sound of shouting beside me.The echo of Shana's distressed voice continued to ring in my ears, slicing through the hum of the plane's engines.I jumped from my seat, watching as she writhed in her sleep."Shana? Shana? Wake up!" I urged, gently shaking her shoulders, my eyes scanning her for any signs of distress.She appeared to be having some kind of nightmare and whatever fear she was experiencing in her dream was translating into reality."Shana!" I called again.She blinked into wakefulness, confusion clouding her gaze. She sat up, holding a hand to her chest as she tried to slow her breathing.As she slowly came to, I watched as she adjusted to the abrupt shift from her chaotic dream to the confined reality of the jet. She looked disoriented and anxious."Are you alright?" I asked, my concern evident as her fingers sought reassurance, clutching onto my arm as if confirming that I was real and unharmed. "What happened?"She kept pawing at me as if tryi
Lucas suggested I try to go to sleep again, but the turbulence from my nightmare lingered. I was still unsettled, and I refused to return to whatever dream I had just escaped from.Instead, I decided to distract myself by staring out the small window, allowing the scenery around me to take my mind off of things.The plane had lowered in the sky, and now instead of clouds, I was able to see a breathtaking scene. There was a large expanse of water surrounded by lush greenery and majestic mountains covered in thick, dense forests.Some parts of it reminded me of the place Lucas and I called home, but I knew we were much farther away than that.The sight left me in awe and strangely comforted me, allowing me to relax.However, every so often, my thoughts would remind me that our arrival was near and that the peace wouldn't last."We'll be landing soon," Kendrick said across from Lucas and I. There was a coffee mug in his hand that had probably gone cold by now. "Once we land, I've been in
The drive through the mystical forest toward the portal to the Ethereal Palace was a short journey just as Liam had mentioned.I was distracted by the lush greenery, towering trees, and the ambient sounds of nature created an otherworldly atmosphere. It looked like any other forest, but something about it felt different. The energy felt charged with something magical.I gazed out the window, absorbing the breathtaking scenery as everyone else talked in the limousine."Does the palace get many visitors?" Kendrick asked, keen to get some insight."Oh, no frequently," Liam said. "Unless the palace is having a celebration, we don't often allow visitors. It's quite difficult to get onto palace grounds as is. The king likes to prevent such things. After his travels, he values his alone time.""Sorry," Liam interrupted his thoughts, his tone taking on a curiosity. "I'm not sure if all of us have been properly acquainted. You're Kendrick, yes? And this man beside you is your son, Lucas?""Yes
The elegance of the castle's main foyer left me utterly breathless.Towering columns adorned with intricate carvings framed the entrance, and a sparkling chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a cascade of light across the polished marble floor.The air carried a subtle scent of history and magic, a heady mix that heightened the surreal experience.Behind me, I heard the footfalls of Lucas, Kendrick, and all of Kendrick's guards. When I turned to see all of their reactions to the castle, they looked around in awe.Lucas's eyes met mine, the light from the chandelier made his eyes appear even more blue."Crazy," he mouthed to me and I didn't know what else to say, so I nodded back."Yes, it's quite impressive," Liam drawled in a proud tone. "The Etheral Palace has stood for centuries, a testament to the enduring legacy of our realm.""It's magnificent," Kendrick noted, no lie hidden behind his words."The king has tried to make this place feel otherworldly, but also warm and comfort
The dress laid out on the bed was nothing short of elegant, its fabric whispering against my fingertips.I hesitated for a moment, the weight of the Alpha King's gesture lingering in the room.If this was his choice, I couldn't disrespect him, not in his palace.However, another part of me felt uncomfortable wearing something that he had picked out specifically for me.A discreet knock echoed in the room, jolting me from my thoughts. Miriam's voice, muffled through the thick wooden door, followed the knock. "Miss Shana? Are the accommodations to your liking?"The sudden interruption made me jump, and I hastily responded, "Uh- yes! Everything is fine. Thank you, Miriam.""Excellent. I will be just outside the door if you shall need me."The silence that ensued felt almost stifling. I waited a few beats before exhaling deeply.Now that I knew Miriam was lingering just beyond the door, a sense of surveillance crept in.I felt a bit suffocated as if I couldn't freely explore my room witho
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