☽☽☽MIKAEL'S POV☾☾☾ She sighs deeply before offering a response. "Because I wanted to help my pack. It's a simple reason, but it's not so mundane when you realise I was willing to sacrifice everything for those I loved. You could have been one of those old-fashioned Alphas, still grounded in ancient ideas of how women are to answer to them. Yet..." her breath shudders, and I suppress the urge to comfort her. "By choosing to marry you, I gave up my freedom, sovereignty, and desires to put my pack's welfare first. But it didn't matter because, in my view, I was doing the right thing. I could not hate anybody for it because I believed it was my choice. Mine alone." "Saskia..." I summon her into my arms as distress begins to round her shoulders and cause her stunning eyes to tear up. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, love." My kisses melt into her hair, and she holds onto me with a steel grip. I kiss her forehead, then both her cheeks. She stirs when my lips imprint on the creamy length of her t
☾☾☾ SASKIA'S POV ☽☽☽ I still feel like a fool. The brunt of the story remains that I was used by my father. I also have to ponder if this isn't the same instance when it comes to Mikael. How do I know he's not manipulating me? Especially since he was the one who asked for the princess of Westardum to marry him. My only question to debase that presumption would be, what for? What would the Alpha of Guttenbrieg stand to gain by making me his wife? Could I be a pawn in a game played by too many people? Truth is, my assumption is not implausible. It's simply highly improbable. I don't see many cases in which I've been notably valuable to the pack in a manner that might make me indispensable. Combing my fingers through the fluffy fur of Mikael's wolf, I keep from indulging in the spiralling black hole of thoughts pulling me in. I want to trust him, but I'm not stupid. His meeting me once—which I don't even remember—and deciding he wanted me as his wife is not logical. What could I ha
☾☾☾ SASKIA'S POV ☽☽☽ A wide snout nudges my hand. "Hey," I murmur softly, scratching behind the wolf's stiff ears. He's beautiful in the dark, all sleek black fur that shines like silk and hugs the arms of shadows without shame. "You're a gorgeous, gorgeous wolf." I kiss the flat of his forehead, my troubles forgotten, and he enthusiastically bumps my jaw with his nose. That makes me smile, and my hands automatically enclose upon him. When I pull away, Rikal—as Mikael mentioned was his wolf's name—whines sadly. I frown at finding gloom splayed in those cold blues, which are still unmistakably the Alpha's. "Are you sad?" I ask, and a low hum of approval answers me. "That makes you and me, hun." I hug him again, tighter this time. While I enjoy his gentle, quiet company, I can't explain why I wish for more. I want someone I can talk to and who can return the sentiment, which is quite selfish of me. Thankfully, no one can read my mind because I immediately feel remorse for wishing M
☾☾☾ SASKIA'S POV ☽☽☽ "Yes." He does not waste a second. Not in thinking or hesitation. "Oh." My cheeks heat up as shame tortures me. Mikael peels his body from mine as he sits up against the headboard. I do the same because I sense he might have an explication or extra remark to give. "You made an interesting mentioning the other day, Luna." Luna? I stiffen at the formal tone he's adopted. Goosebumps prickle along my skin, straightening their tiny hairs. "What day?" He keeps his focus on his palms, avoiding my gaze. It's ridiculous, but I can't help the stabbing pain in my chest. It hurts when he's like this. And I hate that I've let myself become one to be affected by his actions. "Do you remember what you said when Maya arrived at the pack?" The day flashes in my head, raw and fresh. "I believe I said plenty." "Nay. That is not what I mean. In respect to what you said of your powers." His head swivels my way at this instant. My stomach clenches at the iciness that drags thr
☾☾☾ SASKIA'S POV ☽☽☽ He did make me leave. Not by force, though, which is bizarre to admit aloud since Mikael loves to bulldoze his way through a problem. I’m glad he allowed the chance for negotiations because while he has achieved what he wished for, I’ve also gotten what I wanted. The negotiations resulted in the following: I would have the freedom to leave the pack whenever I wanted. The Alpha similarly agreed that I would be authorised to work as a small interior designer right in Guttenbrieg and set up evening baking classes to earn my own money. Lastly, I’d be involved in all matters of the pack—diplomatic affairs as well. In return, I’d get in the damned car with Wade when asked to and not think of running away or returning to help fight against Absalon. A pretty fair deal, if I say so myself. So, here we are. Not in the car, by the way. We’re cutting across the villa to reach where Mikael claimed we’d find the driver and the vehicle. Wade is to take it from the wolf and
☾☾☾ SASKIA'S POV ☽☽☽ Wade probes the tender flesh with his fingers, obviously not convinced by my complaints that he’s only wasting time and that I’m perfectly fine. He takes his examination further by placing my foot flat on his palm. I don’t hold back the snort that springs up at the sight. My foot is disturbingly miniature in his hand, which is pretty hilarious. To magnify my amusement, I kick him hard in the chest. This levels him to the ground, but I’d forgotten on whom my weight was also balanced. I lose the oxygen in my lungs for a split second. I go down, but Wade’s arms cage me in, and though I trip, I eventually tumble on him. Not the softest landing, but all limbs are intact. I howl like a laughing jackal because that was comic as hell. Wade hisses, and I know he did not find my act one to bring merriness or cheer. I pinch him for the sake of it, seeing the grave cast he still has on. “Oh, lighten up, Wade.” The irony of the moment is not lost on me because usually, he
☾☾☾ SASKIA'S POV ☽☽☽ It's tempting to go after Wade, to ignore his advice and rush in to help in the fight, but I choose not to. If anything happens, I don't want it to be my fault that there was a hitch in our plans. I can always plead innocent since I adhered to the rules I was given. Mikael—whom I can't wait to talk with—wouldn't have any right to chew me out for putting myself in danger. Pressing a hand to my forehead, I attempt to rub my headache away. Wade's confession about the Alpha of Guttenbrieg clangs in my head, asking that I address and contemplate it now that I have the time to do so. But I don't wish to. I don't want to further peel this issue's skin because he isn't here. Mikael should be present to defend himself against the accusing indexes pointed at him. I don't want to acknowledge that what Wade said is true. I don't want to hate my husband. I fear this will be the result if what has been revealed is the plain truth. I might not be capable of forgiving him fo
☾☾☾ SASKIA'S POV ☽☽☽ "Nice kill, by the way." Absalon lowers his head at the wolf I killed. I roll my eyes internally. Never have I seen a worse faker. He acts as if he only recently noticed the carcass, even though he stepped on it to get to me. I wish I could kick him in the balls, but I can't bring my leg to budge. What an asshat! "Why the hell are you here!" "For you, my dear. I've already said before. I want you." Yuck, yuck! I want to chuck up the toast I had at his feet. "There, there." He wipes stray tears from my eyes. I can only move my eyeballs, but I can't blink. Hence, a sheet of water dripped out, signalling that my eyes were drying out, courtesy of the wind's recent breezy stroke. "Don't look so offended, Luna." I pass a hiss of air scathingly. Oh, please. How would he know? I can't even move a damn muscle in my upper face. "Fuck off." "Oh, feisty too. Just like your mother." It's not much surprise he knew my mother. She was a witch, after all. Of course, she mu