As the grand doors swung open, the deep, commanding voice of the Alpha King echoed through the room. "You've all started dinner without me?"His entrance sent a shiver down my spine, and I suddenly regretted following Prince Alexander's lead. I knew that we shouldn't listen to him.The fear of disrespecting the Alpha King flooded over me, and I felt a pang of unease.Before I could stammer out an apology, the King's laughter resonated, breaking the tension. "Ah, the look on your faces! I'm only teasing. You can't take my son too seriously, you know."His warm, hearty laughter filled the room, and I couldn't find it within myself to join in. I still wasn't sure if he was joking or not."Please, don't stop on my account," the King continued, his accent shining through.The Alpha King and Prince seemed oddly similar. Their accents were strangely comforting, and their personalities were relaxed. It was hard not to feel relieved by their easygoing demeanor.He moved to his seat at the head
The Alpha King's deep voice resonated through the grand dining hall, and I couldn't help but feel a shiver run down my spine. "I must admit, you aren't what I expected, Shana, but you know what they say about unexpected things."His words hung in the air, leaving me uncertain about their meaning.The King, casually lounged at the head of the table. He seemed to notice my hesitation and addressed it directly. "Come now, my dear. We can't have you being all timid and quiet in front of me. I want you to feel comfortable here."I nodded, finding my voice, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Prince Alexander has been incredibly welcoming."I chanced a glance at the Prince, and our eyes met briefly.He was watching me carefully, a small, mysterious smile playing on his lips, his glass poised just below his mouth."Incredibly welcoming," he repeated the words back to me. "I'll remember such a lovely compliment."I wanted to snap at him and tell him not to get his hopes up, but I didn't want to make a
The final course was served, and as the dinner plates were cleared away, Liam discreetly reappeared through the entrance doors.He stood with a confident demeanor in the presence of the King. "Hello, Your Highness.""Liam," the King regarded him. "I'm sorry that you couldn't join us for dinner.""That's kind of you, sir. However, I've come to inform you that your presence is needed elsewhere." Liam kept his hands clasped in front of him professionally."Oh, but we were all just starting to warm up to one another," the King said with a slight pout to his lips. "Come join us, Liam.""I don't think that's such an excellent idea," Liam cautioned."Let loose, Liam. We have company.""Liam hasn't let loose since he escaped his mother's womb," Prince Alexander teased, leaning back in his chair as if he was lounging on a comfortable couch."I'll have you know that I let loose more often than not," Liam retorted, his ears turning a light shade of pink."Oh, really?" Prince Alexander asks, clea
The tour with Prince Alexander had felt like a long, intricate dance through the palace's many wings. I had to hand it to him, he was a pretty good tour guide, although I'd never admit it to him myself.He effortlessly blended humor with informative anecdotes, occasionally flashing one of his cheeky smiles that left me both intrigued and slightly uneasy. I wasn't sure if it was intentional or not, but he could turn his charm on so easily. I didn't want to fall into the trap like I'm sure many others have before me.The weight of his arm against mine felt peculiar. I couldn't tell what kind of body he had under his fine suit, but I'm sure it was impressive.As he guided me past the intricately designed training rooms, Prince Alexander casually mentioned that he often engaged in two or three training sessions a day."That sounds a bit excessive," I remarked, surveying the extensive array of top-notch training equipment that far surpassed Kendrick's modest facility. "Why would you ever n
"Thank you for showing me this, Alex. It's... it's truly special," I admitted, my voice reflecting the sincerity of my words.He nodded, appreciating the sentiment. "I wanted you to see a different side of the palace, away from the things you expected and what others see."Prince Alexander flicked a switch, and the room burst into warm illumination.What I initially thought to be an ordinary space revealed itself to be anything but. Dark wooden bookshelves lined the walls, and in the center, a polished desk stood as the room's focal point.There were no windows, no fireplaces—just a chamber bathed in a gentle glow.It suddenly made perfect sense that Prince Alexander would have a room like this to get away from his every day tasks or responsibilities. Sometimes, it helped to decompress in solitude."So, what is this room?" I asked, turning to Prince Alexander, my eyes expressing the confusion that washed over me. "Besides your secret office."His gaze lingered on the room with a mix
Alex's words sent a shiver down my spine. The weight of the responsibility he placed on me felt immense. Suddenly, everything felt like too much.Opening a magical book with a spell on it wasn't something I had ever imagined doing, let alone being the key to unlocking its secrets."I don't even know where to begin," I admitted, feeling a mix of apprehension and curiosity.Alex reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I think I know how you can open it.""Really?" I questioned, feeling a flutter in the center of my stomach. "What?""Wait here," Alex said, walking to his office desk. He pulled out a drawer and took out a shiny, silver object. Upon further inspection, I noticed that he was holding a small knife with intricate carvings on it."A knife?" I asked, starting to grow a bit nervous. How was that supposed to help?"In order to open the book, we'll need your blood," Alex explained, rushing toward me with the blade.I jumped back in fear. "You're not cutting me open!""I'm sor
"Will Lucas or Kendrick be joining us for dinner?" I asked Miriam.She averted her gaze, declining to answer."Will we see them at least?" I questioned further."I'm sorry. I'm not sure, Miss Shana. I was just ordered to escort you to breakfast."I tried hard to hold back my tongue as Miriam opened my bedroom door and signaled for me to follow her.The sense of mystery and unease lingered as we walked through the grand halls.My palms felt clammy, and I absentmindedly wiped the sweat on the sides of my dress, a nervous habit I couldn't explain.Would dinner with the Prince and King be different without an audience of people? What was it that they wanted to discuss with me that Lucas or Kendrick couldn't be a part of?I swallowed, thinking back to my tour with Prince Alexander—Alex—last night.Did the King possibly know about the book's existence too?As we descended to the bottom floor, Miriam led me to the grand dining room.When she opened the doors, a bright light flooded the room.
The King must've noticed the change in my demeanor and offered a kind smile. "Shana, I hope you enjoy the breakfast. It's a small token of our hospitality. We're thankful that you're here."I nodded, grateful for the gesture, but the absence of Lucas lingered in the back of my mind.Once my server completed putting items on my plate, I picked up my fork. I began to eat but found it difficult to fully savor the exquisite food spread out before me.Alexander leaned in slightly, his eyes searching mine. "Is something bothering you, Shana?"I hesitated for a moment before deciding to share my feelings. "I was just wondering where Lucas and Kendrick are. Won't they be joining us for breakfast?""No," the King answered simply. "They are off touring the ground of the Ethereal Palace with Liam. They've been up since dawn, and had breakfast much earlier this morning."I gave a tight smile, trying to hide my disappointment. It seemed everyone had a schedule, not just me.A whirlwind of emotions
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