I was by myself in my office, the burden of my royal duties pressing down on me like an impenetrable shroud. My thoughts, as ever, were consumed by her – Kazia. My mate, who was still very much in the hands of Murad. Being with her, and having her live as my mate, like she was, was starting to seem like an elusive dream, as it started to dawn on me that she might be forever beyond my reach. The very notion of her belonging to him, bearing his mark, left me torn between righteous fury and unrelenting despair.I grew more and more unsure of my ability to free her from Murad's control with each passing second, and I was on the verge of being overwhelmed by the confusion and anxiety that swirled around in my head. I questioned the legitimacy of my actions and whether they were motivated by sincere concern or only the instinctive desire to possess what was rightfully mine. I was afraid that I’d get caught in my web of desire and responsibility.I rubbed my temples, trying to make sense
Kavan I sat in my office, the weight of my responsibilities as king heavy on my shoulders. Ever since I got back, I haven't had any time to take a break, as it has been from duty to duty. From attending meetings to checking on developments, and making sure that everything was falling into place, I haven’t had any time to take a breather since I got back. It was as though a week's pile of work had turned into a month's pile of work, and I had to sort them all out without catching a break. I have also had to make sure that I appeared busy to the council, to avoid them coming at me again, just to accuse me of being lazy and irresponsible. I already knew they were looking for any excuse to get rid of me, and I wasn’t about to give them what they wanted. But amidst all the duties that demanded my attention, my thoughts kept drifting back to Kazia. I couldn't help but think about her, my mate, who was still trapped in the clutches of Murad and bound to him as his branded pet.I knew it w
Chapter 7: Confinement and ObedienceI sat in my room, the heavy drapes drawn, attempting to gather the fragments of my shattered composure. It was hard enough dealing with the aftermath of my illness, but being confined to this room for days had been an additional layer of torment. The very air in the chamber seemed to constrict around me, choking any semblance of freedom I had left. My thoughts were a turbulent storm, swirling with anger, frustration, and a deep-rooted longing for the freedom I once took for granted.In the midst of this emotional turmoil, Aldana, the head servant, barged into my room without a hint of courtesy. My patience, already frayed, snapped under the weight of her audacity. "Stop barging in here like you own the place!" I yelled, my voice sharper than intended. Aldana, taken aback by my outburst, stammered out an apology, but I paid little attention. My focus was consumed by the injustice of my situation."What do you want?" I demanded, my tone cutting throu
KaziaI was sitting by the window, lost in thought, my eyes following the patterns that the curtains cast on the floor. It was the only relief I could find in this stifling existence. The room had turned into a cage of isolation, its silence wrapping around me like a suffocating shroud. My skin still tingled from the recent treatment, the relentless itching now reduced to a mere annoyance. However, my thoughts and emotions continued to itch and fester, something no ointment or remedy could soothe. I was a prisoner in this opulent palace, and even my body's temporary affliction couldn't keep me away from the torment.As I sat there, trying to piece together the fragments of my shattered thoughts, Aldana, the head servant, barged in without the courtesy of a knock. Startled, I snapped, my frustration bubbling over like a cauldron ready to spill."What in the gods' name are you doing barging into my room like that?" I snapped, my patience already worn thin by my confinement.Aldana's fa
In the dimly lit chambers of the Silver Dawn pack's castle, Agrippina sat alone, her mind swirling with deceit and treachery. Her plan to keep Kazia away from Murad had worked so far, but she couldn't shake the feeling that her web of lies was starting to unravel.Before she could dwell further on her schemes, the door to her room burst open, and Agrippina looked up in surprise to see Murad, his eyes ablaze with anger and fury. The air crackled with tension as he stormed into the room, his presence imposing and commanding."Agrippina," Murad growled, his voice low and dangerous. "I want the truth, and I want it now. Were you behind Kazia's ailment? Did you have something to do with her being taken to the hospital?"Agrippina's heart raced, and she quickly composed herself, feigning innocence. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Murad. I would never harm anyone, especially not Kazia."Murad's eyes narrowed, and his patience seemed to wear thin. "Don't play games with me, Agrippi
The moon hung high in the night sky as I walked back to the palace with my friends, Iris and Elena, by my side. We had spent the day exploring the woods beyond the Silver Dawn pack's territory, seeking solace in the embrace of nature.As we approached the palace, I felt a mix of apprehension and unease. Agrippina's hatred towards me was no secret, and I knew that facing her would only bring more trouble. But I couldn't let her animosity deter me from spending time with my friends and enjoying the freedom we found in each other's company.With a heavy sigh, I opened the door to the pet's quarters, the place where I called home. Iris and Elena followed me inside, and we settled into the modest but comfortable space we shared."I hope tonight is peaceful," Elena said softly, her eyes filled with concern.I nodded, trying to push away the thoughts of the recent events that had caused me pain. "I hope so too. But we have each other, and that's what matters."Iris smiled warmly, placing a h
In the moonlit corridors of the palace, Elena and Iris walked side by side, their steps quick and purposeful. They were on their way to Kazia's room, eager to share what they had just witnessed.As they turned a corner, their sharp eyes caught sight of a familiar face, Lily, Kazia's servant. She was walking in the direction of Luna Agrippina's palace, her gait hurried and her eyes darting nervously around.Elena nudged Iris, and they exchanged a knowing glance. "Do you think she's up to something?" Elena whispered.Iris frowned her instincts on high alert. "It's possible. Let's follow her discreetly and see what she's up to."They kept a safe distance as they trailed Lily, their senses sharp and their minds racing with questions. What was Kazia's servant doing, meeting with Agrippina in the dead of night?After a short while, Lily reached Agrippina's palace, and Elena and Iris found a hiding spot where they could observe without being seen.From their vantage point, they watched as L
The palace corridors echoed with Murad's footsteps, each one heavy with frustration and desire. His mind was a tempest, torn between the repulsion he sensed from Kazia and the hunger that clawed at him relentlessly. He craved her, not just physically but as a conquest, a challenge to his power and charm. But Kazia's defiance had become a bitter pill to swallow, leaving him seething with anger and lust.His fists clenched at his sides as he stormed down the hallway, his eyes ablaze with a dangerous fire. In his heart, he loathed the way he desired Kazia, how his body betrayed him by yearning for someone who looked at him with nothing but disdain. But she was a flame he couldn't resist, a puzzle he couldn't solve. And that mystery frustrated him to no end.In a fit of annoyance and desire, he decided to visit Agrippina. She was his mate, and Luna, making her the only one with whom he could sate his desires without the cloud of fear or disgust. The others, his so-called pets, were mere p