At the entrance of my cell, a trio of guards stopped me."The King demands your presence in the grand hall," said one of them, his hand digging deep in my arm. The meeting with Queen Annalise was devoid of any tension, but with King Sylvester, it was going to be mind wrecking.I was led to the grand hall that sprawled extensively. A sturdy and long table dominated the carvenous space. Three elders were seated around the table. Their countenances were stern and it made my gut tighten. I breathed out, getting ready for the volcano that was about to erupt.With a low, sharp voice, King Sylvester declared, "Your actions have been despicable." I have been forgiving and understanding in spite of it. My attempts to connect seem to be encountering severe opposition.I preferred to hold my breath and drop my gaze, remaining still. It appeared my silence irritated King Sylvester and an intense rage burned in his eyes. This prompted him to spring to his feet and pace around the hall. His face co
I shook my head, my anger building. "I didn't do anything improper. I simply— “My throat tightened at the words. Even the things I was attempting to say had escaped me. Nothing seemed to make sense.For a brief moment, Lorna's eyes softened—a rare sign of concern. She lowered herself to look at me. “What you believe to be right or incorrect is not relevant here. It has to do with surviving. You must choose your battles wisely, because at this point, you are losing them all.”Her response struck a deep chord with me, and I wanted to counter and correct her. I knew, though, that she wasn't. Sylvester wasn't who I had previously believed him to be. Yes, he was still a monarch, but he had evolved into a despot and a power broker.And there I was, entangled in his web, trying yet failing to release myself. "So what now? Do you want me to comply? obey each and every order?” I questioned sharply, my voice trembling with rage.With a hardened expression once more, Lorna got up. "Vera, I want
I strode through the town's winding streets, feeling the cool night air pierce his skin. Thoughts of what was ahead raced through my head, but I maintained his steady pace. Beside him, silently, strode my ever faithful buddy Spock, his eyes searching their surroundings with the accuracy of someone on alert all the time.Tonight was our covert operation, and I knew it would either bring him freedom or ruin. With dark lights flickering from the windows and strange shadows on the cobblestone floor, the bar loomed ahead. The familiar smell of roasted meat and stale ale assaulting my senses. It was the kind of place where allegiances changed with the tides and secrets like the ones we were about to discuss were revealed under the pretense of intoxication.Even though I had been there before, something felt off tonight. Higher stakes were involved.The pub inside was just as he remembered it: packed, boisterous, and reeking of wine spills and smoke. While some sat slumped over tables and mu
VERA’S POV:I emerged from the shadows of my cell and entered the dimly lit hallway adorned with torches. A shudder ran up my spine as I felt the familiar chill of the stone floor beneath my bare feet. I knew where we were going; the soldiers surrounded me, their expressions expressionless. The summons from King Sylvester was never auspicious. His obsession with my defiance had turned into a never-ending curse. His playground was The Pit, a brutal and bloodthirsty sight, and I was his favorite puppet.The air grew heavier with the stink of death, metal, and sweat as we descended deeper into the Pit. A thunderous cacophony of audience roars assailed my senses. I narrowed my eyes in response to the intense light filling the arena.The booming voice of King Sylvester reverberated against the stone walls. "Vera, welcome to your another endeavour. I order you to transform and demonstrate your value."My heart ached, but I realised there was no point in resisting. I shut my eyes and conce
Ryan Meyers entered the damp, cold cell, his face cautious. His gaze swept throughout the dark room before focussing on me as I lay there on the tiny bed up against the dank stone wall.The oppressive silence was broken by the faint clink of his shoes against the pavement of the small room."Vera," he said in a quiet, nearly disbelieving voice. "You've healed, the guards stated. They claimed your injuries vanished."I counted the fractures in the ceiling while maintaining a fixed stare while he spoke.Ryan also exhibited patience. Though there was a slight smell of damp dirt and metal, his curiosity was more pervasive than the environment of the prison. He was asking questions, but I wasn't answering them just yet. "Who are you, Vera?”A small grin touched my lips, but not enough to comfort him. "What does it matter?"“It matters because you're not… normal." He paused, considering what to say. "No one heals quickly; I've seen injuries like that. It's not feasible."At last, I moved, r
I had spent days inside the confinement. or perhaps several weeks. Here, in the damp, cold stone dungeon where King Sylvester had ordered me to be kept away, time had become meaningless. With just the distant sound of footfall overhead to serve as a reminder that life went on outside these walls, one day blended into the next.With a jarring sound,, the cell doors opened, and I sat up, heart palpitating. With her visage as impenetrable as ever, Lorna entered the room, accompanied by an unfamiliar-looking guard. Despite their silence, I could tell they were coming after me. Lorna nodded stiffly and beckoned for me to follow. I wavered. Now what? Was this the last one? Was this where my demise lay?But no, Lorna's face lacked finality.There was more going on. With shaky legs from inactivity, I gently rose up and trailed them into the dimly illuminated hallway. The guard led the way up the narrow stairs, his armour chiming with every step. The wet chill of the basement faded behind us a
DEREK'S POV:I was driving late at night with Spock and Kara ensconced in the rear seat, their voices merging in a heated conversation. The paved road was eerily lit by the low moon in the sky and I was focused on the road that stretched out endlessly into the city.We were all feeling the weight of the uprising, but I had other thoughts.With a voice as steely as a diamond, Kara said, "We need to hit him hard, Derek. If we manage to enter that castle and spread enough mayhem, Sylvester's power over everything will be weakened. We must take advantage of all of his weaknesses."I gripped the steering wheel more firmly. I should have been exhilarated at the prospect of pursuing King Sylvester and storming into that impenetrable hellhole. That ought to have been all I could think of. However, It wasn't. It was never the case.I was plagued by a spectral image of Vera's dejected face as his guards took her back to her chambers. The awful sight of seeing her locked up in a dank smelly cell
DEREK'S POV:The only sound that broke the silence as I drove through the pitch-black, deserted streets, was the buzz of the motor.The rendezvous was a dilapidated building outside the city, a forgotten artifact of the passage of time. It stood there, a dark silhouette against the black sky, its walls filthy and its windows broken.As I approached the entrance, my hands became more firmly gripped on the steering wheel.That was it.Leaning comfortably against a pillar with a duffel bag slung over his shoulder, Ryan was already waiting for me. The faint glow of a neighboring street light barely lit his face, yet he was as composed as ever.He nodded at me as I got out of the car, his gaze darting around a little before he said. "You're late.""Needed to exercise caution," I whispered as I looked about.The tension spiked in my nerves, making me feel frazzled on the inside. I hated to say it, but as this plan became closer to reality, I began to doubt my ability to see it through.Ryan
VERA'S POV.The day had finally arrived, the day I was to meet with Shaun, my long time relative. I had no idea what my meeting with him would entail, but I hoped it was for positivity.As I stepped into the restaurant, I spotted Shaun, he was sitted at a corner table. From afar, his facial expression seemed serious. I walked up to him, his eyes was filled with intensity and I couldn't place the reason why.The last time I saw Shaun aside from the last time we reunited was In my former pack where I used to live with my stepfather. Shaun was aware of my relationship with Derek at that time.After exchanging pleasantries, I took my seat, and the waiter brought us menus. I glanced at them, but my mind was elsewhere. “How're you today Vera?” Shaun asked.“Oh, well I'm fine, just nervous about our meeting”.Shaun didn’t say a word, he just sighed.“What about the king, your husband?” he asked with a kind of tone.“Well, he is well, he's not in the kingdom currently, he went for an urgent
VERA'S POV.I was passing through the castle's walk way, in a room in saw Sylvester and uncle Ryan, they seem to be discussing something quite serious. I decided to hide and eavesdrop their conversation. They were talking with their voices barely above a whisper, but the castle was really quite so it wasn't difficult for me to listen. My heart raced as Rayn just delivered a news that would change things. I could sense the urgency from his voice and I felt a pang of anxiety.“There's an urgent meeting in Cadora pack and all the alphas must be present. You'd be two weeks away my king” I eavesdropped as Rayn told my husband.He also handed a piece of paper to him and he read it thoroughly.“We're to leave early tomorrow morning” Rayn continued and Sylvester nodded his head...“I've to be away for two weeks Vera, there's an urgent meeting I have to attend”. Sylvester told me as we lay on our royal bed almost ready to sleep.I didn't say a word because he was the king, it's one of his du
VERA'S POV.“Congratulations ma’am, You're four weeks pregnant with twins” the doctor said, stretching his hand for a handshake.“Ohh, really? Did I hear you say twins doc!” I asked in confusion, shaking his hands.“You heard me right,” the doctor smiled, handing my results to me.“Thank you so much” I said with a smile.….As I stepped out from the hospital, cool breeze refreshed my skin. I felt so delighted owing to the fact I was carrying a set of twins. I imagined how the look on Sylvester's face would be when I break the news to him. I placed my hands on my belly, I'd gone expecting a simple confirmed of pregnancy, I'd thought I was just pregnant with a child, but to my greatest surprise it's not just a child.. but two children! The news was still swirling in my mind, I was indeed so delighted and I concluded I'd spill the beans to Sylvester very soon, but not now though. This revelation turned my world into a fairy tale.As I started my walk home. Each step felt heavy, filled b
VERA'S POV.The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow across our room. I lay there, listening to the distant sounds of the pack stirring. A sense of unease settled in my stomach, a feeling that something was off. It wasn’t long before the heavy footsteps of the pack members echoed through the halls, their urgency palpable. My heart raced as I heard them call for Sylvester.I quickly dressed and made my way to the great hall, where the clan gathered. The air was thick with tension, and I could see the worry etched on the faces of our people. As I entered, I caught sight of my husband, King Sylvester, standing tall and commanding, his presence both reassuring and terrifying. The pack members were breathless, their words tumbling over one another as they reported the sighting of powerful werewolf intruders trying to claim our lands.A chill ran down my spine. The thought of intruders, especially powerful ones, sent waves of fear crashing over me. I had seen the dev
DEREK'S POV.As the weeks went by, Amber and I found ourselves paired up for a project. We were to create a set of matching mugs, and I was both excited and nervous. I could feel the weight of my memories with Vera pressing down on me, but Amber had a lightness that was hard to resist. She would often catch my eye and smile, her enthusiasm infectious. “Come on, Derek! You can’t just press the clay down like that! You have to give it some love!” she teased one afternoon, her laughter ringing out like music. I found myself smiling back, despite the tumult of emotions swirling inside me. “Thanks for the correction, miss tutor” i said, teasing her back.Our pottery sessions turned into something more. After class, Amber would often invite me over to her place, where she’d whip up something delicious in the kitchen. I couldn’t remember the last time someone had cooked for me, and it felt nice to be cared for, even if just a little. “Do you like pasta?” she asked one day, her hands busy
VERA'S POV.---As I stepped into the grand hall of the castle, the air was thick with anticipation. Today, I would meet Uncle Ryan, King Sylvester’s personal adviser. I had heard whispers about him—how he was not only intelligent but also quite handsome. My heart raced as I approached the ornate door, my mind swirling with thoughts about what this encounter would bring. When the door swung open, I was greeted by a warm smile that instantly put me at ease. Uncle Ryan had an aura of kindness that made the vastness of the hall feel cozy. His deep, expressive eyes sparkled with intelligence.As I walked through the marble corridors, the sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting a warm glow on the ornate decorations. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of belonging here, yet there was still that lingering feeling of being an outsider. I was King Sylvester's Luna, after all, but the weight of that title often felt heavy on my shoulders. I took a deep breath, reminding myself of the
VERA'S POV.As I sit in front of the mirror, the soft glow of the morning sun spills into the room, illuminating the delicate strands of my hair and the sparkle of the jewels adorning my neck and wrists. King Sylvester has outdone himself again. The diamond necklace he gifted me last night is breathtaking, a cascade of light that dances with every movement I make. I can’t help but smile at the thought of his face when he saw my reaction. He loves to spoil me, and I adore him for it.Every day feels like a fairy tale. Breakfast in bed, luxurious spa treatments, and the most exquisite gowns to wear to our evening gatherings. Sylvester’s affection is wrapped in every gift, every gesture. It’s as if he believes that material things can shield me from the world’s troubles. But beneath the surface of this opulence, I feel a growing weight in my chest, a heaviness I can’t quite shake off. I glance at the clock, realizing that I’ve spent too long admiring my reflection. Sylvester will be her
VERA'S POV.“I'm introducing you to my friends and other members of the park today” Sylvester had told me early this morning when I woke up.“Huh” I was confused.Knowing I was a very shy type and I hated congested places.“Don't worry baby, they'll all like you and you'll too” he assured me.Deep down, I was disturbed but I didn't let it show, in other words not to prolong things.“Alright then” I said.I took a shower, washed my greasy hair. Wore a loyal Luna's gown. I looked beautiful in the gown, as I stood on the giant mirror admiring myself.Then Sylvester walked In, he was dressed already. His dress sense was part of the reasons I fell for him, he knows what fits him so much and he always looked stunning in them.“My angel,” he said, smiling at me.“Your beauty radiates, even the sun can't relate” he praised me.“You’ll never stop flattering me”I answered.“Of course not, baby” he replied.…The lights flickered and pulsed around us as we entered the club, the music thumping in
DEREK'S POV.The pottery class was a strange mix of excitement and anxiety for me. I had signed up on a whim, hoping to find a new hobby to distract myself from the memories of Vera. As I shuffled into the studio, the scent of clay and paint filled the air, mingling with the soft chatter of my classmates. That’s when I saw a lady. She was sitting at a wheel, her long hair cascading down her back, and her hazel eyes sparkled with a kind of warmth that instantly drew me in. We were paired for a project, and as we worked together, I couldn't help but notice the similarities between her and Vera. The way she focused on her craft, the laugh that escaped her lips when she made a mistake—it all felt familiar yet refreshing. It was as if I was meeting a new side of something I thought I had lost forever. “What's your name?” I'd asked her.“I'm Amber, what's yours?" she said, smiling at me.“Umm, Derek,” I replied.“Such a nice name” she complimented.And I just smiled. No doubt Amber was a