Aurelia's POVI moved to sit at the gold edge of his bath after taking off my slippers and laying my legs on the side to keep them from entering the water. There was a little distance between Liam and I.How was I supposed to make it up to him? What exactly was I even making up for? Getting his guards and maids drunk and leaving the castle unprotected or my very shameful behaviour?I was very aware of his every move even as I kept my eyes glued to my hands on my thighs. The room had a cool and cozy temperature but I was hot from my face down to my neck and all over my ears.This wasn't the first time seeing his naked body yet I couldn’t get used to it. Every single time I saw him like this, it felt like the first time.I couldn't help but agree that there was something wrong with me.When he dropped his glass and turned his body to face me, I tightened my fist-"You're red all over," he announced. "What are you thinking about?"His hands touching me, his lips on mine. Him spreading my
Aurelia's POVThe last time I saw Liam was when I thought I had caused him to drown but it was all a scheme to get me into the water. I still caught myself smiling whenever I thought about it.I had entered into the bathtub in an attempt to save him out of the shock I had felt but turns out I was guillible to fall for Liam's tricks.When Andre saw the two of us together in the bath he gave us a bashful look before he excused himself.Let's just say our interrupted moment squashed the sexual tension and we stayed in the bathtub in comfortable silence before I exited his room moments later.The day of the Annual Hunt had finally arrived and the castle was as busy as a hive. Everyone was moving to and fro, getting ready to attend the event by noon. I couldn't join the maids with anything because their errand carried them outside the Castle. I was only given permission to leave to attend the event.After all, if anything happened to me, I'd have Liam to answer to. I was careful throughou
Liam's POV There were a few unspoken rules in my castle. The maids and guards around picked up on it after they noticed my attitude to it. One of those rules was the colour Red. I avoided it like a plague and so did everyone around the castle. Eventually word got out and my pack members found themselves keeping to it too. The colour was turned down whenever I was within eyesight but why was Aurelia wearing that? Her gown was like a robe that covered her feet where she sat uncomfortably under the stares she was receiving and her eyes stared at the maid in horror. I could imagine their conversation because she looked hopeless and regretful. "Your Highness," Andre leaned towards me. "Everyone is looking," he said in a hushed tone. "It's the same design. I don't know how." "I shall question the Royal Seamstress. I know she was supposed to show Aurelia some designs but I didn't expect she would give her something very similar to yours. Even the colour," he continued and sighed. "I di
Aurelia's POVMy eyes popped open at the distant yell of what sounded like Liam's voice. I stared at the trees and the dark sky before the cawing of birds and movements in the distance rushed to my hearing.I rushed to sit up but I immediately regretted it when I threw my hands to the back of my head where it ached like I had been hit-Wait!The last thing I remembered was washing my face in the restroom and the next thing something hard hit my head from behind.I froze and took in my surroundings. There were nothing but trees and the sky was darker. How was it suddenly nightfall?"L-Liam?" I whispered in a shaky voice as I stood on legs that wobbled like noodles. I was all alone in the forest and there was no sign of whoever dropped me here.I heard something move and I froze, turning my neck slowly in the direction. There was a thick bush up ahead and every minute, it rustled like there was something hiding in it.I looked around and I saw a long branch of a tree. I quickly picked i
Aurelia's POV I had no choice but to tag along. After all, they had saved my life the first time and I couldn't be by myself in the woods. Mira walked a few steps in front of us, leading the way while Hunter and Carlos walked at the same pace with me. "Don't let her get to you," Hunter sighed. "She's always like that." I looked away from Mira's wide back and focused on the floor. We've been walking for a while now and thankfully, we were yet to encounter any monster nor the other warriors. "Okay," I smiled at him and I saw the way his cheeks flushed and he quickly looked away. "Yeah, sure," he glanced at Carlos who snorted beside me. "What? Is there something on my face?" I touched my face, feeling it for any sign of dust or dirt. "Yeah, beauty," I almost tripped on my own feet but their hands held me tight, "Thanks." I mumbled. "Thank you… for the compliment and for saving me… again." "You're welcome," Carlos grinned. "But really, you're like… stunningly beautiful. If I had
Liam's POVThe silence around me did nothing to stop my thoughts from raging. Every fibre of my being was on the edge.I had managed to get my wolf under control but I still paced the grounds waiting for the time to elapse.Everything was standing against me today with time being my prominent enemy. It was as if time stood still. I wanted to charge in there and fetch my mate.Who knew what danger she must've fallen prey to!My warriors were in the heat of a competition. Surely they wouldn't look upon a beautiful woman like my mate and not term her to be a beast with the form of a seductress.That red was too much for her. It made her glow, it made her stand out. It was impossible to try to ignore that woman.I never should've let her come here. This was my fault to begin with. If only I had locked us up in my chambers. She would be under me right now, moaning from intense pleasure and hopefully not writhing in pain wherever she might be.I groaned and grabbed my hair.I was losing it.
Aurelia's POVI was in Liam's arms.It was suddenly so warm. He was pulling me into his embrace and he was kissing me out in the open. In the midst of his pack members, the elders, the warriors.Liam was kissing me so softly and holding me like an egg. His lips communicated so much affection that made me dizzy.This was a nice dream that I didn't want to wake up from-I sucked in a breath as my eyes popped open. I was in a different space entirely. I looked around the room in haste searching for my mate instead, I was surrounded by weird faces that stared at me in shock.I was sitting on a very soft mattress and the room around me felt very familiar. It smelled like Liam."Who are… you?" I asked as I leaned closer to the headboard, staring at them with a suspicious gaze. "All of you?"One of them stepped forward, "We are the healers of Purple Sun City."I looked over all of them and lost count at twenty. "Uhm.. Why are you guys so many?""The King ordered all the healers in the City t
Aurelia's POV"It is better I keep my distance," he continued with a straight face that was starting to get on my nerves. Why was I a needy mess and him the composed and unaffected one? Why did he have to affect me this much yet his body language showed indifference?"But I don't want you to," I said, looking at him. He stared at me, a bit shocked by my bold words. "Isn't that enough reason?""Aurelia," he muttered but I was already shaking my head.I faced death some hours ago and I felt the soul wrenching pain of losing my mate. Did he go through all that when he rejected me? When he held me in his arms, I felt all my worries and fears disappear. Was that the same for him when I was soothing his condition?"Don't be so stubborn," he said sternly and I breathed in nothing but anger and self restraint."You're being selfish, Liam," I held his shocked gaze with an angry stare of my own."Selfish?" he recoiled. "Do you hear yourself?""Yes," I stood by my word. "What do you call it when
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