Liam's POVI was wearing the Royal robe that was meant for a mating ceremony. The same one I had ordered when the thought of mating with Aurelia crossed my mind. The ceremony was today only that, the bride was…different.I turned away from the mirror as if turning my back to my thoughts and I looked around my room, thinking of something else to do while I waited for the auspicious time.The City was bubbling with great joy. They were pleased that their King had found his Queen. I doubted if they would wear the same smile if they knew that the Queen wasn't my mate and my mate had rejected me by running away.It still hurt to think about but at least, it wasn't as bad as it used to be.I headed to my shelf and picked up my bottle of wine, taking a sip to just clear my mind and get on with the event planned out for today.Despite how calm my thoughts were, I was unable to sit still. I paced, touched everything that caught my fancy and I muttered some of the City rules to myself just to ke
Aurelia's POV"Aurelia, stay away from Alpha Adrian for your own good."I halted in my steps as the voice came from behind me. I turned to see three maids at a corner, staring at me with worry in their eyes."We heard Miss Aria lost her temper today," another one said as she stared at the floor in panic. "It's not good for you if she's angry at you, Aurelia. We've seen this before.""How?" I was curious to know what else Aria must've done to anyone she had suspected to be a threat. "Has this happened before?"As if on cue, all three of them nodded. "She's not to be spoken about. She was Miss Aria's personal maid who came with her from her own pack. She got along quite well with the Alpha but Miss Aria," she trailed off, afraid to speak the words that were already sending a chill down my spine."Miss Aria married her off to someone from another Pack without her consent," she said. "She just doesn't like anyone who gets along with the Alpha.""We're worried about you, Aurelia. Aria's an
Liam's POVAndre slammed his back against the wall across the room. He groaned weakly as he sagged to the floor, coughing and spitting out blood… again. He wiped his mouth, looking up at me with a lazy yet daring smile.He spat a thick coat of blood to a corner and he started to rise to his feet again. It didn't look like he was going to give up anytime soon. We've been at it for close to an hour now.He winced in pain as he got up and I knew he would need to rest for days once this was over…if he survived because each time he opened his mouth-"Seeing how I'm still alive, I must say, you've grown soft. This is Aurelia's doing, isn't it?"My beast growled and I was filled with instant rage. He kept running his mouth like a little brat yet he took every hit without dodging or trying to counter it."For the first time in a long time, she made you feel," he continued. I was holding back my wolf as best as I could yet the control slipped every now and then."You think marrying someone els
Aurelia's POVI stared at the door as Casey left after dropping such a bomb of information. His Highness was… getting married.Liam, my mate, was getting married to Emma. I wanted to be happy for him. I really really did want to be happy…so why were my eyes starting to leak?I threw my hands over my mouth, sniffing as I wiped my tears but it didn't seem like that was the end of it.How long was I gone? No! It didn't matter. I should've expected this. After all, he was going to dispose of me soon. My only joy was that I didn't allow him the privilege of rejecting and throwing me out.Since my actions were more like a rejection on his part, he would have to live the rest of his life with his ego bruised and tainted.I used all that to pick myself up. Things will surely get better at my end. First, I just needed to survive this place and try to live my life as quietly as possible.I started to pace my room with my fists clenched. I stared at the floor, searching for a spec of dust to jus
Aurelia's POV"Why?" Adrian asked regardless, oblivious to how frightened I was and how I shook in their presence.How did he find me and so soon? Why did it have to be him? Why wouldn't he just let me go? His obsession with me had become too alarming and it felt as though it increased every single day."Why would Norton go as far as chasing her to my land? Has he no regard for me-""That's Alpha Prince Norton to you," they corrected rudely. "We don't want any trouble. Just hand her over and we'll be on our way-""Like hell I will!" he bellowed. "Is she his mate? Even if she is, I smell no mark on her-""Mate?" one of them mocked while keeping a fierce look. "More like plaything,"My heart dropped."It's no surprise you backed her up so eagerly. She spread them for you too like she did with-""Shut up!" I yelled with tears streaming down my face. "I've never… with Norton… ever! Let me go! Why won't he let me go-" I gasped as I soon realised what I'd just done. "No," I mumbled as I li
Aurelia's POVThe knock on the door forced me to sit and I waited anxiously as Alpha Adrian walked in. He had changed into something else and his right shoulder had been wrapped in a white bandage. I wondered if it hurt as much as it looked back then."I was going to send the healers to you but I figured you were already tired of them," he interrupted the silence and I looked down at my hands that had turned red from pinching them too much."Thank you," I mumbled, thinking of what else to say."So you're from… Red Valley," he stated. " I did not see that coming."He was sounding calm. Why was he sounding calm like it was a shocking realization that he was still trying to come to terms with ?"Do you want to talk about it now?""I'm sorry," I lifted my chin in his direction. He had his arms folded across his chest and a stern look on his face. His lips were almost in a pout and he stared at me with scrutinised eyes."For?" he titled his head. "For what exactly?""For everything. I didn
Adrian's POVI closed the door to Aurelia's room and paused with my hand still on the handle. I could still feel a little pain at my shoulder blade but it wasn't anything that would stay or leave a mark. At most, it should be healed in the next few hours.The stroll of earlier had turned into something bloody in less than a minute. I never thought Aurelia could be faking her memory loss.Everything had been so real and convincing. Even losing her wolf didn't seem planned out. Was she that eager to forget Norton and his abuse that she accidentally triggered something in her head?One could only assume at this point."She lied through an innocent face," I thought to myself as I slowly started to walk away. "Women are truly deceitful," I chuckled, shocked that I held no grudge whatsoever towards her.I meant it when I said I wasn't mad. She truly did have a good reason to lie and I couldn't hold it against her. I recalled how she trembled under their accusations and I shook my head at ho
Aurelia's POVSomething changed in just two days. I could feel it. Actually, I could see it. The personal maids that were assigned to my room before I woke up, the sweet smell of food by my bedside and how their hands fumbled to please me."What is this about?" I asked them on the second day, "Did the Alpha ask you to do this?""Yes, Miss Aurelia. We've prepared your bath already," she announced with her head lowered."Okay," it was strange and I hoped it would be over soon. Maybe I should speak to Alpha Adrian about it. "Where's Casey and Glenn? I need to know my chores for today. I didn't do anything yesterday-""Oh no, Miss Aurelia. The Alpha has ordered that you're a guest and you must live like one. We cannot allow you to touch anything. The Alpha will punish us," they begged with a frightened tone."I see," I looked around my room, thinking of what to do today. They were giving me almost the same hospitality as Liam had. I was starting to feel a strong sense of déjà vu.I made a
Aurelia's POV How long has it been? "Your highness," I smiled at the guards as I walked past, feeling a bit self conscious at their greetings. I thought I would've gotten used to it now… well I was trying but the thought that everyone in the Pack knew my name and my title, was a bit terrifying. The Castle had been rebuilt as well as the properties that had been destroyed in the war. "Your highness!" Mia called in a sing-song voice. She rushed over to me with Glenn and Olivia by her side. It was nice to see them again. After the mating ceremony two weeks ago, I had sent a few guards to search for them and luckily, they were alive and well. I wish I could say the same for Casey. She fell alongside the Wild Rose Pack. "I've set everything already," I paused. "Well, the maids did. Let's go?" they nodded eagerly and we headed straight to the tunnels where everything came to an end. With the breeze in my hair and the laughter of my friends, I felt relieved. I never thought I could be
Aurelia's POV"Stay back!""Let go of her, Emma!""If you take one step closer, I'll kill her!" her voice was breaking like she was in tears but there was still a hint of fear and panic in her tone."You've done enough already! Do you really want to add this to your sins?" This voice belonged to Emma. She was probably grinding her teeth in anger. She sounded like she would explode any minute.I was slowly regaining consciousness and strength over my body but I kept my eyes closed. The chain was no longer around my neck but her arm instead and she held me so close to her chest."I did everything for you!" Emma screamed. That meant that Liam was close by. "Everything! I gave my whole life to you. Everything you did, I did it too just so you wouldn't feel left out and alone-""You assumed all of that," Liam was sounding surprisingly calm. I didn't expect that. I wish I could see the expression on his face; would it be blank like a sheet or worried like a true lover?"Ha," she gushed out
Aurelia's POVThere was no more than needed to be said. Emma had chosen her own path a long time ago. What was I thinking trying to show her pity? After all she had done, the only thing she deserved was death."I'm sick of this," Mia said beside me and started to walk towards them. "I'm going to beat her to a pulp and make sure she's hanging from a tree." She increased her pace and charged towards Emma.Just then, a few rogues in wolf form jumped out, attacking Hunter and Mia dodged quickly and surrounded me, keeping their eyes at the rogues that continued to increase.We were surrounded and from the look of things, it would take a miracle for us to get out of here alive."They killed the boss," Emma said, pointing in our direction. "I couldn't do anything because of this," she tugged at her chains. "Where is the key? Release me at once-""The key is with the Prince," someone answered her."What? Where is he? I can't wait that long? What if they kill everyone and come after me too?" S
Aurelia's POVIt wasn't even up to thirty minutes and one group had been annihilated. How did they-"Are you the real Aurelia or are you actually a fake?" they sneered and I recoiled to my corner while Mia shielded their evil eyes from me. I could feel their murderous intent and the hard pressure of their gaze."Sorry," the smile in Mia's voice gave off a psychotic vibe that made me shiver. She was having a good time. I had almost forgotten that Mia had a thing for trouble."They are increasing!" one of the guards yelled from behind. "We can't stay here any longer. We'll be trapped-""Idiot! We're already trapped here. We either go back to the Castle or we go out there but either way, we're gonna have to fight and some of us are going to die and it's not gonna be me because his highness told me to live!" She grabbed my arm and pulled me towards them."Keep your face down!" she yelled as she pulled me further into the tunnel. I could only stare at the floor as the guards fought their w
Aurelia's POV"How serious is it?" I asked for the umpteenth time but every time I did, something strange happened."Should I braid your hair?" Mia asked with a cheerful smile- more like a forced one. "I learnt how to braid when you were away."Whenever I asked about the war, someone would change the subject. It was too obvious they were avoiding having to answer, especially when they answered with something completely unrelated."I know what you guys are doing," I leaned back on my pillows, staring at all three of them. "You don't have to do that. Just say you can't tell me or that it's confidential."They glanced at each other before Carlos spoke up, "Wouldn't it be strange to tell the future Queen that a war is happening in her own land and she can't be informed about it.""Really?" I rolled my eyes. "Yet, no one is telling me anything.""We don't want you to worry," Hunter said as he stood by the door with his arms folded and his eyes closed. He was probably paying attention to so
Liam's POVMia closed the door behind her, leaving me and Aurelia in our bedroom. I didn’t think she would have still been awake. It was a shock to hear her giggling from the hallway with Hunter, Carlos and Mia.Now she was swinging her legs while she sat on our bed in a silky thin strap night dress that covered her knees."I have never wanted to make eunuchs out of my warriors so bad," she gasped at my words with a smile on her face. "Tell, my dear, am I wrong to think such things? You're practically naked.""I'm wearing something," she said in her defence."Yes. I see your point," I folded my arms and kept my gaze on her boobs. It took a while but when she understood that, she threw a hand over her breasts."It wasn't like that a few minutes ago" she looked away. "My body only ever malfunctions when you’re close by." she blushed."So you’re saying even when you're next to my grave, you're ready to-""Liam!" She covered her face. "My goodness!" she shook her head aggressively with a
Liam's POV"You gave them twenty four hours?" Andre repeated."That's 16 hours left," I pointed out. I had spent a great deal of time with Aurelia, exploring her body like it would be the last and enjoying our mate bond. The minute I stepped into the room filled with my commanders, everyone could smell the mate mark on me.Their faces lifted up and they were all in high spirits. They couldn't wait to get the war over and done with so they could hold a feast and celebrate that their king had finally been mated."We should ready the warriors soon," Commander Rhys said, staring at the map. "I'll lead my team to the southern part. We should have all four entrances blocked and have them surrounded. I have heard some pretty dark rumours about Norton.""Me too," Commander Denice replied absentmindedly with a hand stroking his chin. "The number of rogues he controls are," he trailed off. "If they all defend Red Valley, we may have a hard time penetrating.""But it's not impossible," Commander
Liam's POVWe arrived with my beast in no time. Even the guards by the border didn't see us when we passed. They only felt the gush of wind and I saw how they all panicked, calling for backup immediately and some chasing after us. They alerted the Castle through the mindlink and once we arrived, I heard the footsteps of a hundred men, rushing to protect the land.I set Aurelia on her feet who clutched my hand like she would lose balance. She smiled up at me and despite the fear on her face, she had been thrilled by the ride. Her heart was beating loudly and I placed my hand on her stomach, hoping that wasn't too rough on our child."We're fine," she said, putting her hand over mine."We have you surrounded!" Andre yelled and stepped forward. "Surrender now or-" his words disappeared when he came a little closer and he recognized who was before him. His eyes moved between Aurelia and I with tears in his eyes.I saw the burden lift up on his shoulders and he turned to the others, "Someo
Liam's POV"What do you mean by that?""The Beta families suffered an unfortunate fate! It is a sensitive topic-- how dare you bring it up so casually!""Unfortunate fate?" I repeated the word and glared at the woman who had said that, ''how disgraceful!''She flinched at my gaze but refused to back down. Her eyes were bloodlust and I saw through her boiling anger-- thanks to the file of course. She had lost a dear friend too but the case was swept under the rug for very obvious reasons that were oblivious to them."We will not allow you to speak about our dead-""What investigation was carried out?" I asked them. "Were the perpetrators even brought to justice? You tell me you honour your dead yet you all failed to produce the killer.""Your visit here is about my son," Alpha Hector chipped in. "I have promised to scold him so refrain from-""I have evidence," I took out the papers from my robe. "Evidence that Norton is behind what you termed an 'unfortunate event'.""Such wild accusa