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Forty Five
Last Updated:
2023-02-24 08:31:15Related chapters
The Lost Royal Forty Six
Immediately, hands and faces rose, as many volunteered themselves. Saxon looked around at each of them, with a look of approval, before turning to Haden, his eyes briefly going blank, apparently communicating something he didn't want all to hear.As his eyes cleared again, Haden gave him a short nod and took my hand, tugging on it gently, to lead me away from the crowd. "Wait!" I said, feeling a pit of worry forming inside me, and pulled my hand away, turning back to Saxon. They both gave me frustrated looks, but they quickly faded as I wrapped my arms around Saxon's waist tightly. "Be careful, please," I whispered, and he rested his head on mine for a moment, wrapping his arms around me in return."Of course, love," he said gently, with such a beautiful warmth in his tone, and placed a soft kiss on my forehead before releasing me. "Don't worry, I'll keep him safe," Trin said with a playful wink, as Haden took my hand again, trying to lead me away once more.I gave Trin a warm smile
Last Updated : 2023-03-09The Lost Royal Forty Seven
Haden looked frozen in place for a moment, the expression on his face more troubled than ever. "Do you think..?" I began, and he shook his head, sighing deeply. "I don't know," he said heavily, his voice sounding as troubled as he looked. "We need more information, before we begin making assumptions that could only make things worse."I nodded understanding, "Aerin?" I suggested gently, "She might have heard.." Haden nodded and began moving before I could even finish the words, looking over the list from Nera as he walked, his other hand clasping mine tightly. I could feel the tension in his usually calm grip, and it was deeply unsettling. "Your Mother used herbs, didn't she? Would you recognise any of these?" he asked, handing me the list as he led me back towards the doors at a brisk pace. I looked it over quickly, recognising many of the names, though some I noticed were regional alternatives to those I'd grown up using. "Most of them," I said with some degree of uncertainly, "T
Last Updated : 2023-03-17The Lost Royal Forty Eight
Haden watched him go, looking deep in thought for a long moment, then took my hand, leading me out of the small cottage, and back towards the packhouse. We walked in silence, though it didn't take words to feel just how unsettled Haden was by the situation. And it was understandable. His generation of the pack had only known peace their entire lives, aside from occasional rogue attacks, and now..Well, now, it was anything but peaceful. The rumours of the truth behind the war between Nightfall and Silver Waters had already had my mates on edge, but no one could have predicted this. As we neared the pack house, I noticed it was very quiet. Too quiet, in an eerie sort of way. Haden felt it too, I could tell, as he exchanged an uncertain glance with me, then quickened his pace. Most of the pack would be helping either with Saxon's pursuit, with patrolling and defense, or at the hospital, but even so, people needed to eat, sleep, and take care of other basic tasks within the building..
Last Updated : 2023-03-21The Lost Royal Forty Nine
We continued through the darkness in silence, until we reached the next junction, and Haden hesitated, turning towards me. Just like before, a faint floral scent wafted from one of the passages, and just like before, Haden seemed oblivious to it. I frowned, but nodded towards the scented one, picking out another small, crushed stem from the corner of a beam this time. Haden seemed just as confused as before, yet with no other guidance, we continued to follow the way they led us, and I desperately hoped it was Aerin, or someone else we trusted, who was leaving them behind. The silence stretched out, as the words we'd heard played over and over in my head, almost making me miss one of the scents. At this one, there was no junction of passages, but a gap in the wall to our left, that only led straight up and down. I turned back as I noticed the scent, staring at the dark opening with a growing sense of apprehension. Haden turned when I stopped, moving beside me, seeming every bit as
Last Updated : 2023-03-28The Lost Royal Fifty
"We noticed," Haden said with concern, as he sat down on top of an old storage crate, "The pack house was completely deserted when we came to find you. We thought there'd be more with you.."Aerin held up her hand to silence him again, as his tone only grew more fearful as he continued speaking. "They're safe," Aerin said, glancing towards Lanna. Haden sighed deeply in relief at Lanna's confirming nod, and he took a moment to compose himself. I found myself watching Lanna again, and she seemed to feel my gaze, her expression turning from sympathy to mild surprise, as she turned to look back at me. I blinked, confused at the way her presence seemed to pull at me, and she gave me a small smile, before turning back to Haden. "What else?" she asked him, as she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "I can sense it, something more is troubling you.. both of you, deeply." Her voice was soothing. Calm, and yet.. something else. I noticed both Haden and I beginning to relax, to open up,
Last Updated : 2023-04-01The Lost Royal Fifty One
The passages twisted and branched, though Lanna seemed to know them well, taking each turn as though confident of where it led. After a while, she slowed her pace, as she traced her fingers along the walls, seeking.. something. Eventually, she found it, stopping and placing both hands on the wall, shimmying the loose panel upwards this time. She climbed through, holding it up for the three of us to do the same, then carefully lowered it, trying not to make a sound. The sound of harsh laughter suddenly came from behind us, followed by a match strike, filling the room with an eerie, dancing light as we turned to face them. I could feel Ceridwen immediately on edge, stirring again in the depths of my mind. "Excellent!" exclaimed the haughty male voice Haden and I had heard earlier, its owner standing before us, as several others moved out of the shadows behind him. "Reagan," Ceridwen snarled inside my mind, her fury kick-starting my adrenaline into overdrive.I froze, staring up at h
Last Updated : 2023-04-02The Lost Royal Fifty Two
Reagan screamed the last few words with such vigor that he was panting for breath by the end, his eyes bulging wide and his veins pulsing with obvious bloodlust. "No!" I screamed at him, trying to shake Aerin and Lanna off me again. They both looked pale, in shock, but determined as they still held me firmly, even as Ceridwen began infusing me with her own strength, and her own rage. "Get off me!" I snarled, struggling in their grip, Ceridwen's fury mixing with my own as I tried to get to Reagan, but their combined Lycan strength was far stronger than my own. "She's getting stronger," I heard Lanna mutter towards Aerin, who acknowledged her comment with the smallest of nods. Her expression was steely, and I could sense them getting ready, for.. something.What, though, was unknown, and my attention was drawn to Reagan instead, who had turned to me. His expression was one of anger, at first, but upon meeting my eyes, it split into a wide, triumphant looking grin. "Now, that is beau
Last Updated : 2023-04-03The Lost Royal Fifty Three
I woke slowly, my hearing returning first, before I'd even regained the strength to open my eyes. As my mind slowly cleared of the heavy foginess, I kept them closed, listening to the voices around me. My heart sank as I desperately tried to hear Haden, but Ceridwen's voice in the back of my mind was soothing. "He's close," she murmured groggily, "I can feel him." Her words brought some relief, and I focused on assessing the situation we now found ourselves in. Listening for a long moment, it was clear there were guards around us, yet I couldn't hear any signs of Reagan himself close by. I was grateful for that, but a new rush of fear swept through me, as I thought of Saxon. Had they warned him? Was Reagan hunting him now? Or worse, I wondered, with a deep feeling of dread. Ceridwen made her frustration clear, though, and I turned to gently testing the binds I felt around my wrists, feet, and chest, instead. They felt strong, and tight, and I dared not test them too much, in case
Last Updated : 2024-01-08
Latest chapter
The Lost Royal Sixty One
Haden and I shared a shocked glance, as Saxon tried to find the words to respond to Laila's suggestion. Nightfall had not had an official ally for decades, even I knew that. They had isolated themselves since the war with the Royals, shunning almost all outside contact, only becoming more and more insulated as the years passed. To say it was unexpected for them to not only be willing now, but actually suggest it themselves, was an enormous understatement. Laila and her Betas waited patiently for Saxon's response, and after a long moment collecting himself, he dipped his head graciously. "We would be honoured," he said humbly, and Laila beamed in response. "Wonderful. I think our packs could truly flourish together," she said brightly, with a glance in my direction. "And learn a great deal from each other," she added, and I couldn't help but think of the former Royal witches she'd mentioned.A part of me couldn't resist the pull of the past, yearning to learn more of where I'd come
The Lost Royal Sixty
I swallowed, the realisation that my existence was the catalyst for so much atrocity making me feel suddenly ill. Laila gently squeezed my hand again, quickly burying her feelings of anger and disgust, "It's not your fault," she said gently, "You had no part in this, and from what I'm told, you've fought their vile plans just as hard as we have."I nodded, though her reassurance barely scratched the surface of the guilt that I felt. "I'm sorry," I said quietly, "I would never have wished for any of this, not even on my worse enemy. Certainly not on my mates.. or on yours," I added, as a further pang of guilt hit with the recollection that one of her mates had been gravely injured too. "Thane.." I began uncertainly, "Our Elders, they'd heard.." she nodded, saving me from trying to find the words that could never even begin to express the depth of the guilt that I felt. "He's.. healing," she said with a sad smile, "Elyanna, and Dorian - our lead Doctor - are both helping him as best
The Lost Royal Fifty Nine
I stared back at her, not quite able to find the words to respond. The nurse keeping an eye on me seemed equally uncertain, glancing nervously between us, and where Saxon was checking in on Haden. The Luna gave a soft, casual laugh as she noticed. "Relax, I'm not about to bite her head off," she said to the nurse playfully, before turning back to me, "But I did think it was past time we properly met. We are apparently related, after all." The nurse gave her a sharp look, but gave us a little more space, physically at least, though he continued to watch us like a hawk. Laila smiled warmly, as she noticed, "They seem as protective of you, as mine are of me," she said quietly, and though I frowned doubtfully, her words brought a warming kind of comfort. They did seem to care about me, certainly far more than Silver Waters ever had. She watched me patiently, and my mind was drawn back to her previous comment. "Oh.. I suppose we are related, aren't we?" I said awkwardly, and she respond
The Lost Royal Fifty Eight
He'd been at the hospital when Mama had been brought in, I realised. Or, the woman I'd known as Mama, anyway, though it seemed like a lifetime ago, with all that had happened since. He smiled sympathetically, asking questions as he examined my leg, which I answered in something of a daze as all the memories came flooding back at once. So much, in such a short time, it was all too easy to get lost in it all. Saxon squeezed my hand as he sat beside me, bringing me back to the moment, as the nurse turned to report to a not so familiar pack doctor, who immediately began grabbing things from the largest med satchel I'd ever seen. He handed them to the nurse without a word, quickly moving on to help another nurse, then another. Far too many injuries, I realised, my stomach twisting in knots. I looked up at Saxon, barely managing to find my voice through the gut wrenching guilt and sadness. "I'm so sorry," I whispered, my voice turning to a whimper as the nurse began tightly bandaging my
The Lost Royal Fifty Seven
I stepped backwards as one reached a thickly-muscled arm towards me, crying out as I put weight on my momentarily-forgotten injured leg. His hand only gripped my shoulder reassuringly though, then my waist as his expression turned to one of concern. His eyes went blank for a moment, presumably communicating with the two who had climbed through after him, their weapons already drawn as they moved towards Haden and Reagan. I attempted to struggle as he lifted me easily, shaking my head, but he was exceptionally strong, even for a Lycan, and gave a soft laugh in response. "Relax, Princess," he said, sounding half-mocking, yet somehow warm, "We're friends, you're safe now." He carried me towards the window, but stood aside to allow two more to climb through, before calling out to one on the other side. "Marcus! Take her, carefully.. she's hurt," he said, and another huge Lycan came over to the outside of the window, waiting to gently grab my legs as the first passed them through, desp
The Lost Royal Fifty Six
It was beautiful. Terrifying, no doubt, yet truly beautiful. Like thousands of tiny fireflies, aligned in pairs, blinking in the darkness.In a vibrant shade of royal purple. 'Saxon?'' I called to him, through the mindlink, and immediately felt his warmth. He was close, I could tell.'We're here, love,' he repeated, and I felt an enormous surge of relief, though it quickly changed to horror as Reagan stopped his pacing, slowly turning to Haden with a wildly savage look on his face. Then he grinned, a grin of complete, malevolent, insanity, that made my stomach turn, and lunged for him, daggers in each hand. "NO!" I screamed, shoving myself up and towards him, with all of the strength I had remaining. It wasn't enough. He was too far, and I was too weak.. but I had to try. I screamed again, as pain filled me, a fleeting thought wondered if I'd broken a limb, or several, but I ignored it. Reaching Haden was the only thing that mattered. Haden moved even quicker though, suddenly k
The Lost Royal Fifty Five
Reagan looked confused, caught off guard for a moment by Haden's expression. He looked between the two of us and his six men, seeming uncertain, before he looked at Haden again, drawing another of his hidden silver daggers. "What's wrong with you?" he asked, staring down into Haden's eyes, as he turned the dagger around and around between his long, slender fingers. "Is the poison affecting your wits, boy?" he continued, with a laugh that sounded a little forced. Reagan's head snapped around to his six men, "Look! The poor, pathetic Lycan boy's going mad!" he said with another bout of laughter, this time chorused by his men. Haden smiled wider, and it seemed to bother Reagan even further. "Well, come on," he said, gesturing grandly and raising his voice, clearly mocking, "Enlighten us with this joy you've found, at the end of your miserable life!"Haden muttered something, barely audible to my ears, and entirely imperceptible to theirs. My eyes widened, but I barely managed to swall
The Lost Royal Fifty Four
A dismissive grunt was followed by the sound of someone being roughly shoved aside, then heavy footsteps coming closer. Lifting my eyelids as much as I could without being noticed, I could see only one pair of worn, bedraggled, yet impracticably ornate boots on the floor in front of us. They had to be Reagan's. He was silent for a long moment, as though watching us, thinking, as the rest of the footsteps followed. They were much more hesitant, yet still fell in behind their madman leader. I wondered what he had promised them. For the twins, it seemed obvious, they only really wanted one thing. And the werewolves of course had their own reasons. But the rest?Why would the rest of the Silver Waters Lycans follow a werewolf Royal, hellbent on revenge against their kind? I was pulled from my thoughts by Reagan's uncomfortably cold fingers suddenly gripping my cheeks, lifting my head and roughly turning it back and forth. "Wakey, wakey, my sweet Princess," he cooed in a sing-song ki
The Lost Royal Fifty Three
I woke slowly, my hearing returning first, before I'd even regained the strength to open my eyes. As my mind slowly cleared of the heavy foginess, I kept them closed, listening to the voices around me. My heart sank as I desperately tried to hear Haden, but Ceridwen's voice in the back of my mind was soothing. "He's close," she murmured groggily, "I can feel him." Her words brought some relief, and I focused on assessing the situation we now found ourselves in. Listening for a long moment, it was clear there were guards around us, yet I couldn't hear any signs of Reagan himself close by. I was grateful for that, but a new rush of fear swept through me, as I thought of Saxon. Had they warned him? Was Reagan hunting him now? Or worse, I wondered, with a deep feeling of dread. Ceridwen made her frustration clear, though, and I turned to gently testing the binds I felt around my wrists, feet, and chest, instead. They felt strong, and tight, and I dared not test them too much, in case
