As I sat in the opulent sitting room, I watched the Alpha King stir a sugar cube in his tea.It struck me as oddly normal, a simple action that seemed out of place in the midst of the circumstances surrounding our conversation.Prince Alexander sat next to his father with a bored expression on his face as he popped a small pastry into his mouth.There were a lot of delicious looking treats in front of us, and if James were here, he'd scold me for not eating any. However, after breakfast, I wasn't sure if I wanted to eat or drink anything else given to me."Are you still shaken up about breakfast?" The Alpha King asked bluntly, giving me an intense stare. "I hope you understand why I did what I had to do.""You don't trust me," I said plainly, not sure how else I could defend myself. "I've only been honest with you.""Yes, well, I've been deceived in the past. Once you've been burned, you'll do anything to make sure that doesn't happen again," he sighed, his gaze momentarily shifting t
I nodded, absorbing the gravity of the King's words.He was right, of course.Eventually, people would find out what I was and life would get a million times more difficult for me. And as much as it felt like this was all about me, it wasn't.Being the White Wolf could never be a single, personal experience. I had a role to play.The burden of that knowledge intensified, and the realization dawned on me that my journey was about more than personal discovery.Who I am means something to people.The Alpha King leaned back in his chair, his gaze assessing me with a mix of wisdom and determination. "Your training, Shana, will cover a wide variety of goals. We aim to unlock the full potential of your abilities as the White Wolf. It's not just about physical strength. It's about mastering the intricate connection between your human and wolf forms."He gestured towards Prince Alexander, who sat across from me with an air of calm confidence."Alex has undergone rigorous training, and he'll be
The notion of becoming a female warrior for the werewolf kingdom felt like an unexpected twist in my life's narrative. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, glancing between the Alpha King and Prince Alexander."Your Highnesses, I appreciate the offer, but I still need to finish high school. I can't just leave everything behind and become a warrior."The Alpha King's eyes scrutinized me, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glint of disappointment. "Shana, we can arrange for your education here. Consider this palace your university. We can provide you with the necessary resources, and you'll receive the finest education while training to become a formidable warrior."His words hung in the air, and I felt the weight of his expectation."I'm sorry, but I'm not just going to drop my entire life and start a new school when I only have a few months left at Shadow High," I said, my voice feeling shaky.Not only was the notion absurd, but I didn't trust the Alpha King after what he had done. If
The Alpha King, with a curt nod, excused himself from our conversation, claiming pressing matters that require his attention.As he departed, I couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and lingering apprehension.Prince Alexander, ever the annoying and unserious host, stepped forward, "Well, I guess now is the perfect time for me to take you on a tour of the royal gardens."As much as I didn't want to go anywhere privately with the Prince, I wanted to experience the royal gardens for myself and see what the fuss was about. Glancing at the flowers out of the window just didn't seem like enough time to enjoy them."Shall we, Shana?" he says, extending his arm with an easy smile.I eyed his gesture cautiously, torn between skepticism and a reluctant acknowledgment of his charm. His green eyes were a mixture of mischief and playfulness.He eyed me skeptically, nudging for me to take his arm.After a moment's hesitation, I tentatively accepted, and we began to stroll toward the vibrant expan
I tried to drown out my thoughts and burning questions, instead deciding to focus on the scenery around me.The royal garden embraced us with its symphony of colors and fragrances as Prince Alexander plucked a rose effortlessly from a nearby bush. I couldn't help but scold him for killing the delicate flower, my voice tinged with reproach."Must you destroy the beauty around you?" I asked, eyeing the plucked rose with a touch of sadness.Prince Alexander merely shrugged, twirling the rose stem between his fingers. "In the grand scheme of things, a single rose won't be missed. They bloom again, Shana. It isn't truly dead."I sighed, trying to ignore his poetic way of looking at things. It only reminded me that I was almost truly dead a mere two hours ago."What other tricks do you have planned for my visit?" I inquired with a hint of wariness in my voice. "I feel as if I need to walk around with eyes in the back of my head now.""Don't worry. Our tricks are done," he assured me. "Now,
Prince Alexander suggested that the two of us head back into the castle after we completed a few rounds around the royal gardens.I wasn't fully ready to leave the gardens, but I also wanted to see if I could find Lucas. There was so much that I had to share with him from the past couple of hours. Besides the breakfast I had with the Alpha King and Prince Alexander, the secrets were lingering secrets of the locked White Wolf book.As Prince Alexander and I walked back into the castle, the air seemed charged with unspoken tension from our previous conversation.He had been awfully silent, which was somewhat unlike him. I wondered if he was finally giving me some peace and quiet to sort out my own thoughts.We turned a corner down a dimly lit hall and unexpectedly ran into Liam, Kendrick, and Lucas. My heart fluttered at the sight of Lucas."Lover boy," Prince Alexander whispered in my ear, a joking glint in his eyes.I shot him a scowl before turning my attention to Lucas.Something in
As we entered my room, the atmosphere shifted. The afternoon sun was shining through the window, making the room bright. It was a complete contrast to the way I was feeling on the inside.I closed the door behind us, muffling any potential eavesdropping from the guards standing just outside."Now, tell us what happened during breakfast," Lucas urged, his eyes fixed on mine.I took a deep breath, about to recount the events that had unfolded earlier when there was a loud knock at my door.I jumped, turning to see who had interrupted us.The door to my room creaked open, revealing Miriam standing in the hallway. She raised an eyebrow at me as she looked at Kendrick and Lucas standing in my room."Miss Shana, is everything alright?" she asked curiously.I nodded, "Yes, Miriam. Everything is fine. Could you please give us some privacy?" I requested, hoping that she would oblige.She nodded, her expression guarded. "Of course, miss. If you need anything, just call."As the door closed behi
Kendrick's phone starts to ring and he takes it out of his pocket to check the caller ID."I have to take this," he said, looking between the two of us. The weight of business seemed to follow him even in moments of supposed time away."I'll step out into the hall," he continued as he excused himself.Left alone in the room, Lucas and I exchanged glances, the unspoken tension lingering between us."Lucas," I began, my voice soft, "we need to be careful. Kendrick said the world of royalty is treacherous, and we can't afford to let our guard down."He nodded, his eyes expressing a mixture of concern and longing. "I know, Shana. But I can't help worrying about you."Before I could respond, Lucas threw himself at me, his lips meeting mine in a kiss that carried a wave of emotions. I sighed against his touch, realizing how much I had missed him in the whirlwind of palace intrigue.It had felt so long since the two of us were alone. A wave of shame hit me as I realized how much I truly miss
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