ELORAI fiddled with my gloves, waiting for another one of the royal family to stand up abruptly but after the king left, they loosened up. The room was filled with Kain Kurt's boisterous laughter and Monica's giggles. Her sons decided to put up a show for everyone. The two men climbed onto the dining table skipping like little girls, spraying food on around in the process.I shifted back in my seat and locked eyes with Skye. She noticed that I was uncomfortable so she gave a tight nod. She stood up and I followed."Have a wonderful night, sir." I bow to the old king.Before he replied, Kain cut him short. "May I escort you to your chambers, my dear?" His eyes danced. He reminded me of a monster. My palms turned sweaty and my heart beat faster. I bowed my head to avoid his face."That's won't be necessary, Lord Kain." Skye said, coming to my rescue. She stopped, waiting for me to leave the room.I bowed and walked out surprised I hadn’t straight up bolted from the room.Immediately th
ROMEThe king couldn't take the discomfort the royal family dinner offered any longer. He made his way out of the room straight to his favourite place in the Castle. The Red River. It was the most private place, apart from his chambers, and it held dear and fond memories of his mother. He could visit there and converse with her, informing her of what was happening. He was sure he was going to be engulfed in her peace.As he approached the river, he kicked pebbles around like a youngling. He had played the pebble game with his mother when she was healthy enough to. He threw one into the still river and watched as the ripples expanded. He threw another and another, hypnotized by them. The king was jealous of the river. He wished he was as peaceful and still as it was.He closed his eyes. "I miss you, mother."He walked deeper into the woods, farther from the river. The royal woods held diverse trees and plants. Many of them were used by the royal physician to concoct his antidotes. The
ELORA"Goodnight, sir," I said to the royal physician who insisted on walking me into the main palace grounds. He was almost like a big brother guiding his little sister. "Goodnight, ma'am. Do not forget your checkup tomorrow." He bowed and walked in the opposite direction.This night had been emotionally draining and I yearned to sleep in my bed but frankly, I knew sleep would be hard for me to come by. The palace staff had all retired for the night so it was only the guards on night duties milling about. That was alright because I didn't want attention. It seemed everyone in the palace knew about the family dinner and I didn't want to constantly lie through my teeth that the dinner went splendid. "Elora!"I whipped my head in the direction of the voice to see Lucy running towards me. She was sporting her nightdress and a large shawl. "Oh, my I waited ages for you." She gripped her knees to catch her breath. When it was steady, she stood up. "Where have you been? Dinner was over
ELORAI froze, my heart threatening to burst when the king got up from his bed and walked in my direction, a sudden night breeze bringing the strong smell of alcohol to me.He’d been drinking? Oh no. I couldn’t have come at a worst time.His eyes had apparently glazed over with sleep because even when he reached me, he kept calling me Erika.He bent down, scooping me up before I even noticed him move and carried me bridal style onto his bed. It all happened in quick succession that I didn't know when I landed in his bed. He lay down and covered us with his large blanket.How did I go from tossing on my bed to laying in the king's bed in a few minutes? "Why do you smell so much like her...?" He mumbled. He flung his hand across my small body and pulled me closer to him, wrapping his large arms around me as he tucked my back to his front, spooning me. My heart thumped faster as I imagined how angry he would be when he woke up and realized I was the one in his bed. His breath fanne
ELORAIt was a relief that apart from their homesickness and worry, my siblings were safe. Olivia was her bubbly self and the twins enjoyed their time spent with Kano. I didn't know how long the situation would be peaceful so I was determined to let them enjoy the moment. The royal infirmary was a short walk from my room. It was a large, imposing stonewalled building with pretty flowers around it. I heard it was the very place many of the Bale antidotes originated from. There was a buzz of royal staff wearing the usual grey uniform but now a silver ribbon indicating they were the infirmary staff.As I approached them, they bowed."Your Highness." They greeted."Good day to you." I smiled waving.The lobby area of the infirmary was a large space with cushioned seats and a small furnace that wasn’t in use. A large mahogany table sat to one side and a petite lady was sat behind it."Your Highness." She stood up, bowing when she saw me."Good day, I have a meeting with the royal physicia
ROMERome stirred from his alcohol induced slumber with a groan. His arm had fallen asleep from being flung over his face the whole night so he turned to his side just as the room brightened with the sun rise. The servants assigned to his chambers were up and already about their tasks; their footfalls and early morning rush stirring him from his lazing sleep. He opened his eyes and frowned at the spot beside him where there was a small indentation like someone had been there.Now that he noticed, there was an unfamiliar presence hovering around the room like someone had just left. He placed his hand on the spot frowning at its warmth. He pulled the sheets closer to his nose, detecting a faint rose fragrance that reminded him oddly of Elora.But why would her scent be in his bed?Rome pushed it away and thought it as an effect of the wine he’d overindulged in the previous night. Perhaps he was still disgruntled from the after effects of drinking too much.He decided to start his day, c
"Who were you selling the girl to?" Skye asked continuing the interrogation."To... To a Lycan noble man. Big customer he is.” He answered squirming.“And where were you supposed to sell them?” Skye asked shooting a warning at him to stay calm.“At the auction house on the outskirt of Hanaerum. At–at the boundary between Hanaerum and Alkarod." He answered wringing his hands, “That’s where I work majorly but…”Rome leaned forward in his seat as the beast in him raged.“You deal in slavery after I abolished it." He stated, a growl slipping into his words. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Have mercy on me," The wolf cried, "That was all I knew. I was a slave too. I...I worked hard to get to this point. There was nothing else I could do to survive and feed my family. It is hell on earth in Alkarod, Your Majesty! There was nothing I could do. Please spare me!""Enough!" Skye fired."That's not an excuse!" Rome yelled, "I abolished slavery two years ago. You could have reported to the pro
ROMERome replayed the prisoner's confession as he crossed the courtyard into the path leading to the Royal quarters.The slave trade seemed to thrive better than it did before its abolishment. The laws that he set had not been effective in curbing the slave traders. It would be no use attacking or raiding the auction house without any insider information. Actions like that had never achieved anything other than slowing their activities for a few days. He would need to study the workings of the auction house before striking."Your Majesty." Someone called from behind him as he turned into the hallway housing his chambers.He turned around to see his physician coming to meet him from the opposite hallway."Noel.”Just the person he needed to see."Your Majesty." Noel greeted, bowing low. "I have feedback from the instructions you gave me, Your Majesty."Rome nodded. "Walk with me." He continued.Noel moved to match his stride."In three days, your mistress's womb will be ready to carr
SKYE AND NAURU“You know. This is our wedding night.” Nauru complained, staring at his bride who was swinging a sharp blade in just her underclothes and corset, painting an erotic image that his body appreciated most ardently.The woman’s eyes flashed angrily at him but she sent him a smirk and flipped her hair behind her shoulders.”Are you scared I’m going to beat you?” She asked in a sing-song voice.“Oh I know you’re going to beat me.” He told her. “You’re a Lycan.”“You should have thought about that before challenging me.” He didn’t exactly challenge her but he didn’t want to point that out to his stubborn wife.A lesser man would be intimidated by her strength but he was only turned on by the thought that she could snap a man in two without breaking a sweat. It had been love at first sight for him when she’d come marching into his court with her brother, the King. She’d caught him staring at her and lifted a brow at him and when they’d met later that night, they’d fucked hard a
ROME & ELORATHREE YEARS LATER“Damian you come back here this instant!” Rome laughed as he watched a heavily pregnant Elora chase their two year old son who’d taken to running bottomless around the palace much to his mother’s dismay and his father’s immense amusement.Her glare turned on him and he raised his hands in surrender.“I did warn you that I was very uninhibited as a child.” He told his wife catching up to her and placing his hands around her waist, pulling her as close to him as her belly would allow.A soft thump from her belly told him that the twins they were expecting in a month were more than eager to be free of their confinement. He laughed as Elora slapped his shoulder.“You see what you’ve done to me?” She complained. “I’m surrounded and invaded by savages.”He laughed, kissing her forehead, then began a slow journey to her lips. She sighed and wrapped her hands around his neck, burying her fingers in the hair at his nape. Even after two years the passion between th
ELORAI stared at the large double doors leading to the training room, frowning down at the floor. The king had written me a letter that while it indeed gave me insight to his true feelings about me still made me feel afraid to see him again.How could I get over the fact that he had only slept with me because he wanted to rid himself of me?How could I move on from the thought that I had trusted him to be different from all the males that had only wanted to use my body and degrade me but at the end of the day, he was exactly like them?I turned, backing the door.Why had I even come?My body warmed as I remembered how passionate the kings declaration of love for me was but he hadn’t even said the words I so wished to hear.I find that I’m absolutely enthralled by the feelings you have managed to evoke in my wounded heart. I am sure that I want to spend the rest of my life wrapped in the beauty that is you. Even now, the words touched me softly.He had talked about things I hadn’t no
ELORAI stared shamelessly at the king as we sat in the aftermath of the laugh we shared while talking simultaneously. He still wore his travel clothes like he hadn’t had time to change since we arrived at the castle this afternoon. Dark circles were under his eyes and his hair were rough as if he’d been running his hands through them.He looked ethereally handsome now but ruggedly so, unlike the usual clean shaven well dressed king he usually was. His dark hair curled and fell over his forehead in an unruly mess that had me itching to run my hands through it recalling how soft his hair was. I pressed my thighs closer together as my body responded to the memory of the scenario that had had me running my hands through his hair.I felt a hot blush climb upwards from my neck. I truly hoped he didn’t notice.“Has Noel been to see you yet?” He asked suddenly breaking my train of indecent thoughts.I nodded, unable to speak for fear I’d say something to embarrass myself.“How…How are you?”
ROMEAs they crossed into the gates of Hanaerum, bells tolled in the lower city alerting their presence. As of their party was one to be ignored.Citizen’s stared open mouthed in shock as the large army rode through, some of them with scars and others, albeit healthy, with menacing expressions brought about by fatigue. Long had the thrill of their victory faded leaving behind exhaustion and muscle soreness.Rome was not immune to this phenomenon and wore his scowl even bolder than most because he’d not been given time with Elora at all during their trip.Skye worried he might scare her off with his intensity since his emotions were still high and besides the girl needed rest after the ordeal she’d been through.The doctor he’d ordered to look over her reported she was in excellent health and that the baby was doing fine but until he got to the castle and got Noel’s report, he didn’t think he could relax.Looking up at the grim castle walls, he couldn’t help but think that so much woul
ELORAI snarl as I stared down Alpha Rasmus' wife feeling stronger than I'd ever been. Whatever this remedy was that Gael had given me had not just helped with the pain but had somehow imbued me with more power than I'd had.I swiped my tongue on my snout still feeling the blood of that bastard on me. His death had been quicker than what he deserved but I was satisfied he'd no longer have the power to hurt me or my siblings again.His wife snarled at me as if to say: I'll kill you for murdering my husband. But even then I could see thee fear in her eyes.I felt the king's gaze on me but I didn't want to be distracted now.I'd been denied my revenge long enough.I spied Gael out of the corner of my eye, his look one of begging like he still wanted me to come with him.I felt sorry for the broken boy but my mind had been made up long ago and if he was wise he'd make sure the king didn't see him. Even though I understand that he didn't have much of a choice, I knew the king wouldn't be a
ROMEFeeling like he'd just woken up after a long night of drinking, Rome opened his eyes and took in his opulent surroundings which was a far cry from the dungeon he'd been in before he'd passed out.Speaking of the dungeon...He startled upright, struggling against the binds on his arms.Elora.He growled out his anger, straining even harder but the binds only seemed like they were getting tighter.What were these even made of?Those bastards had hit her. She looked nothing like the woman she had been in the castle but even if the bruises left her unrecognisable, his heart knew.He could smell her the moment he had been captured.It had taken all of his willpower to not kill those guards and grab her out of there.And that bastard...He had been standing right there.It was his fault that she had had to suffer like that.The second he freed his hands, the man would..."There's no point struggling against your restraints, boy king." The elven leader smiled walking into the broad cham
ELORAHelp! I wanted to yell out. Help me!There was black everywhere. I couldn't see anything.I tried to lift my hands but I couldn't. I couldn't feel my body.I was floating in a seemingly endless pool of black."You promised me they wouldn't hurt her!" A voice yelled at the edge of my consciousness.A small ray of light started at the edge of my vision becoming brighter and shocking me out of that empty plane."You promised me father!" The voice came again but this time I could recognize it.The bed beneath me felt harder than anything I'd ever felt but perhaps it was because I'd been floating for God knows how long.I tried to lift my hand but couldn't, they felt too heavy.I wanted to open my eyes but pain had me shutting my eyes again."Nggh." I groaned as pain raced through my system the further I regained consciousness.I groaned rolling to the side, looking for a position that would make it stop."Shhh. Stop Elora." Gael's voice came as a warm hand pressed softly on my shoul
ROMEThe ride to Alkarod flew by faster than anyone would have expected but Rome was grateful for the brevity of the journey as he didn't think he could bear to spend any more time away from Elora. It had been only a day and half since her capture but it felt like it had been ages.His beast had gone through a range of emotions and had settled on sadness now, whining constantly inside of him and setting him on edge. He had snapped more than once at the captain of his Elite but the Lycan, already used to his antics, showed no grief or frustration.Shouts went up at the Darwin pack gate tower as his riding party approached. He knew that the dust they kicked up must have made them look like bandits plus their lack of armour and his angry look wouldn't help matters."Stop!" A guard yelled just as they rode through the gates. "Who..."He didn't give the man the benefit of an answer as he plowed past him, nearly running him over with the horse. His eyes were on the pack house of Darwin Pack