Aurelia's POVAria choked on her food first. Her eyes were wide as she coughed endlessly, slapping her chest to relieve her of the shock and from the grip of death.I, on the other hand, was too stunned to speak. I was bent on believing that I had misheard Alpha Adrian's words."W-What did you say?" I stuttered, trying to confirm. It had to be that I misheard his words."I said," he leaned forward. "Marry me-""How dare you repeat that?" Aria yelled with all her might, it wouldn't be a surprise if her vocal cords died out. "Do you realise what you're saying? Do you hear yourself?""Yes, I do," Adrian replied. "Why? Do I sound foreign to you?""If this is a fucking joke, you better take it back!" she jumped up from her seat, sending the chair flying back and slamming her hands on the dining table. It shook and I knew if it wasn't made of such strong materials, it would've fallen apart."You're yelling, Aria," he reminded her in a cool voice. "Keep it down-""Are you insane?" She contin
Adrian's POV"No?" I mocked as I barged into my bedroom. "I'm doing this for her own good! Norton will chase after her quicker than she can imagine!" I paced my room with my hands on my waist, trying to do a little brainstorming.Nothing was going according to plan! She should've jumped at the idea of marrying me. I was giving her a way out of the mess she was thrown in because of Norton.Why… Why couldn't she see that? After all I had done for her.Maybe I shouldn't have told her to leave. Maybe I acted a little rash… and harsh. She had nowhere else to go. She couldn't possibly head to Red Valley. I was the only way out for her… the only saviour she could come across around here."Oliver," I stopped and turned to my Beta. He no longer looked surprised when I called his name before he made his presence known."Yes, Alpha," he placed his hands behind his back, looking at me with a blank face."Don't look at me like that," I warned. "Do you have something to say?""No, Alpha-""I'll hea
Liam's POV"Please look upon me. Please speak to his highness for me. Don't put me to shame, Andre. Please help me!" her cries were impossible to ignore.I was standing in front of my study room and the door was left partly open. I peeked in to see Emma on her knees and bowing before Andre.The scene was one that even in my dreams, I never thought it would happen.Emma lowering her head to Andre? Her desperation was reaching greater heights each day."Emma," I heard Andre sigh. He got up from his seat and walked away, leaving her to bow before the chair. "Please give it a rest already-""Never!" she jerked her head up and I was almost frightened. Her mascara had rolled down her face and her eyes were wide. She looked like she had been smacked down by a truck and she just ran all the way here. Even worse, she was still in her royal mating robe for the ceremony that had been cancelled three hours ago."What did you two talk about here?" she asked him. "It must've been something you said
Aurelia's POVTHREE DAYS LATER"Thank you, come again!" I called after the nice gentleman that stormed out of the bar, making sure to slam the door on his way out. The sounds made the other customers jerk, sneering at the door with murderous intent. He had disrupted their silent murmurs and they hated it."Why are you being so cheerful?" Mrs. Anna asked, a little frightened as she stared at me in front of the counter. "That man did nothing but growl at you," she reminded me. "You still called him a gentleman?""Oh," I noticed that. How could I not? He was practically in my face with a sneer and with the stench of booze slamming me from different angles. "Well he seemed like a gentleman. He didn't do anything rash."My smile, however, still frightened the old woman. She had her scarf in her hands and under her chin, "My dear, I am worried for you. You have such a poor sense of judgement. You're like a child with nothing but innocence. How can you still stay in a place as gloomy as this
Aurelia's POV"You're pregnant, Aurelia," Mrs. Anna repeated.I heard her the first time. I just felt I was still dreaming and I would wake up soon. Yes… I still believed that. "I'll wake up soon. It's only a dream,'' I muttered under my breath. I squeezed my fist, rumpling my dress in the process and scratching my skin.No way. This couldn't be real. "I have to wake up,'' I told myself again and I looked around the room. I noticed the wooden wardrobe at the far end and I got out of bed."Aurelia?'' Mrs. Anna called after me but I continued walking. "Where are you going?''"I need to wake up,'' there were tears in my eyes now. " I need to wake up,'' I chanted over again and I gripped the wardrobe at both side, throwing my head back-"Aurelia!''A hand grabbed me, sending me flying before I could slam my head against the hard wood that would definitely leave a scar and tear open my head a little bit but I wouldn't die.I landed on the floor with my ass, staring at Mrs. Anna in shock. S
Aurelia's POVTears leaked from my eyes with his hand still around my mouth from behind. His face was beside mine and I could hear his every breathing and when he chuckled, my breathing shuddered as I shook."Did you really think I wouldn't find you?" he said mockingly and I began cursing my own fate. Where did it all go wrong? It had only been three days. It started to feel like I wasn't even trying to get out of whatever hell was in my way. I always ended up back in the same place I started.It felt as though I was running on a spot- not going anywhere."Were you angry that I asked you to leave?" Adrian continued. His hand was already smoothening my jaw and he was rubbing his knuckles softly against it."What are you doing in this hellhole? Didn't I say I would take care of you for a long time?"Bile rose to my throat and I felt the pressure kick against my throat. I pushed his hand but I fell to my knees, emptying the vomit onto the floor. I was coughing in tears and rubbing my han
Emma's POVA cancelled wedding and a search party for that woman was enough to drive me to the edge. I guess Liam was right when he said not to return until I was sane. Anyone in my shoes would lose their mind at the change of events.Just a few days ago, everything was going according to how I had planned it. A life without Aurelia around was an empty spot for me to fill and assume my rightful position as Luna beside King Liam.Everything had fallen into place until… "Andre," I grinded on my teeth, imagining his bones instead. I wished nothing more than to ground his bones to powder and watch him disappear from the surface of the Earth.Whatever he said to Liam really got to him because now the wedding was not only off but Liam was pumped into finding that woman again.Why wouldn't they just understand? Why couldn't they see it? I was the perfect person to be by his side. How could a commoner, an outsider, a woman with no background attain the position of Luna in a powerful city like
Aurelia's POVWhen I opened my eyes again, the familiar ceiling stared back at me in silent welcome. I laid there, gripping the sheets by my side and trying hard not to let bitterness overwhelm me. I was right back where I started. Why did I even bother to run in the first place?I was starting to wonder if this was how I was going to live the rest of my life; being tossed about by Alphas who cared more for their ego and didn't give a shit about the collateral damage- me."Are you awake, Miss Aurelia?" The voice was tiny and careful. At least it wasn't Aria. I didn't think I was ready for Aria's problems yet but just like every other time, it would always slam me across the face when I least expected it.I pushed myself up to a sitting position and I saw a maid standing by the foot of my bed. She looked really young and small in size."Where is Casey?" I asked. "And Glenn?" They were the familiar faces I wanted to see or did something happen to them while I was away?"They are busy,"
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