Liam's POV "I could still call the healers to check on you, your Highness," Emma tore through my thoughts with those words and I frowned at her. I had been in such a beautiful place in my head; one where my mate was in my arms and her eyes were filled with desire for me. "Do I look less than fine?" I asked her as we walked in my City under the warm afternoon. Every now and then, the pack members and shop owners would bow their heads in greeting when they held my gaze. I had decided to take a stroll around the market today. Behind me were my guards and maids while Emma walked beside me. "No, your Highness. But then again, you could be in pain and no one would know," she sounded worried and a tad mad. "What happened yesterday, your Highness? Andre wouldn't tell me anything-" "That's good then," I sighed and looked around and I stopped when something caught my attention. I squinted my eyes at the accessories displayed and from the corner of my eyes, I noticed the shop owner jerked i
Aurelia's POV"This is a gift from the King," Renee said as she dropped a pink hairpin that was placed on a golden tray on my bed. "I heard it was specially hand picked by him." She added with a coy smile."It definitely cost him more than a fortune," a voice added.I looked up to see another maid, Lena, who was closely behind Renee as she marveled at the hairpin that gleamed under the sunlight."The King even asked that we deliver this on his finest trays," Lena said as she looked at me with a shy smile on her porcelain face. "Look, Miss Aurelia, it's the golden one..Do you know what that means?""I'm sure the King would be pleased to know you liked his gift, don't you think?" Renee asked over Lena's voice at the same instant.I just stared at them dumbfounded as they spoke endlessly and my ears rang from their information."A gift he picked out himself?" I mumbled to myself, still in awe of his actions. Why would he go through the trouble for… me?"Yes, you should've seen the way he
Aurelia's POVI glanced at the hairpin and different thoughts raced through my mind. What sort of privilege had he given me? I was yet to hear his name from Andre and Emma. Or did they only speak his real name when they were alone?I didn't know why I was desperately trying to feel less special by what seemed like the King's foreign and novel kindness towards me. I didn't want to bear these special feelings in my heart only to be let down later.I stayed that way for a while, pondering on the king's actions and soon I fell asleep. I awoke to a knock on the door later that evening and was informed by one of the guards by my door that the King had invited me to dinner."What time is it?"I glanced at the wall clock and almost passed out. I was ten minutes late already.I hurried out of bed and into the bathroom to freshen up in under five minutes. I grabbed my hairpin from my dresser and placed it on the right side of my hair, pulling it up.I dashed out of my room and the guards walke
Aurelia's POV"I'm f-fine- your majesty!" I gasped in horror when I noticed his robe was now wet from the sleeves. I looked around for a handkerchief and I grabbed one on the table, I held his hand-"How dare you touch the king in that manner! Let go of him at once!" Emma barked in a stern voice that had me pulling my hands away."It's fine. It's just water. Don't raise your voice so loudly, Emma," the King frowned at her and soon turned his attention back to me. It was almost impossible to break away from his stare but he placed his hand on my chin and tilted my head to the side. He stared at the hairpin and I saw a small smile across his lips, "It looks good on you.""Thank you, your Highness," I played with my fingers under the table as my eyes wandered.He let go of me and we continued eating in silence.It looks good. I played his compliment over and over. Why was he being so nice? There was no other explanation. I had to believe what Renee had said. If he didn't like me, he woul
Aurelia's POVHis words fell on my shoulders causing them to drop heavily. It took a lot of willpower for me to get back on my feet but I couldn't hold back the tears that dropped."She was sent away from the pack when Norton realised that he wasn't the only one she was seeing," the spy continued in such a strong and bold voice that held so much conviction.How could anyone lie with their hearts this much? If I didn't know myself so much, I would've believed his words. The conviction in his voice almost had me fooled."She had also been sleeping with other men, your Highness."I backed up against the wall as his words kept pouring and pouring. I fisted my shirt as I wanted nothing more than to step out and defend myself. I had never been with Norton in that way much less any man but here I stood, defenceless as I had to listen to my reputation get dragged in the mud and gutters.My mate's silence was louder in my ears and deep down, I waited for his reaction. He was definitely buying
Aurelia's POV"I-I," I stammered as the words failed me. I gulped and lifted my eyes from his chest. His face was calm but his eyes held back anger that threatened to claw at me. I couldn't smell blood or even sweat from him. Had I imagined the dungeon or was he trying to mess with me?"Aurelia?" he called again in a warning tone and he stepped into my room. I staggered away from him.He shut the door behind him and my stomach pooled with nervousness. The air took a sudden twist that was making me heave for breath. His scent was everywhere.The more I inhaled, the lighter my head felt.I was getting drunk on his scent and my body didn't feel like my own anymore.There was a hotness stirring up inside of me. My desires were climbing and building at a slow and steady pace.I was aware of his every move in my room and his scent was so much that it felt like he took up a lot of space."Answer me," he demanded in a low voice and I held the strap of my bag tighter, pulling it down over my b
Liam's POVI gripped the papers hard as I read the words with speed in my mind. My legs bounced under the table with impatience and my butt wanted nothing more than to jump out of this chair.I missed her hair scattered on my chest every morning and how she sighed in her sleep with a smile crossing her lips."How many more are left?" I looked over my desk and felt my blood boil at the tons of work to review and approve."C-Calm down, your Highness. You only just got here," Emma replied with an alarming tone.I didn't want to believe her but she was right. I've only sat here for twenty minutes yet it felt like two hours had passed.Being away from her made the seconds go by slowly."You've been postponing your duties for three days. Getting a hold of you is almost impossible. I guess you've been occupied with something else,"I glanced at her from the corner of my eyes and met with her suspicious gaze. She stared into my eyes for a while and I saw her gulp. I could tell there was somet
Aurelia's POV I turned on the shower and I shuddered first before sighing in relief as the warm water hit my skin pouring endlessly from my shoulders. I didn't want to get my hair wet so I avoided it at all costs. I turned my neck side to side as I rubbed the flowery scented soap up and down my body. Slowly, I turned to the big mirror in my bathroom and stared at all the visible bite marks. I touched my neck, my breasts, my stomach, even my thigh, they seemed endless. After our first night of love making three days ago, Liam and I had done it ever since. He had to be dragged out of my side this morning and that was how I was all alone. I rubbed my neck, thinking how soft and gentle his hands were. I ran a hand down my boobs and I immediately missed his big hands touching and fondling them. These marks he left were like flowers blooming on a fine Spring day. I felt like the tree and him, the season. I bloomed whenever he was around, at the slightest touch and at the mere sight o
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