Liam's POV"The border after Purple Sun City is bubbly with lots of activities these days, your highness," Elder Thelma drew my attention to her. She was with her cup of tea so early in the morning.Sometimes, I wondered if my elders don't get tired of morning meetings. I had a mate to go back to but here I was, trying my hardest to remaining calm and composed like I had all the time in the world."I hear their Alpha has a bone to pick with that other thing that keeps buzzing everywhere," Elder Lucas chipped in."Norton, you mean?" Elder Thelma helped and he nodded. She sighed, "Ay ay, why are the young ones of this generation always making trouble? It's a good thing our King is more matured and cannot even be compared in the same sentence with those things.""Adrian, I hear that's his name, should be of age to have a Luna. Maybe he'll just end up picking whatever comes to mind," Elder Elfreda spoke.Morning meetings usually went like this. They would gossip and have me sit through it
Liam's POVI stared at Emma with a blank expression on my face while hers looked at me with expectations, desperation as the tears continued to pour. She sniffed and rubbed her face on her arm."I know you don't feel the same way," she said after a while when she figured I wasn't going to respond to her. "I know that and I can't deceive myself but," she took a step forward. "Aurelia is not ready to be queen. She can never do it the way I would-""She'll do it differently," I replied out of impulse. "She'll do it in her own way.""I don't think you understand, your Highness," she tried again. "You cannot force her to love the City. I love the City and would do anything to protect it-""She risked her life to save warriors that were competing in the sacred woods. A woman as kind hearted as that- ready to even sacrifice her own life for people she barely knows- does not need to grow into loving something," I defended. "She sees the need to protect everything. That is a woman worthy to be
Emma's POV"You have such a lovely girl, Louise," the queen praised with a smile as she stared at me hiding behind my mother with my doll in my hand. She was a beautiful woman with long dark hair touching her waist. Her smile was lazy and tired and her eyes looked like she could use some sleep.That was the first time I met the queen. I had escorted my mother to the Castle for the first time in my life. I ended up wandering away from their presence as they talked and laughed about things I didn't understand.I looked over the Castle with wide eyes, marvelling at everything I saw. I had never been to a place this beautiful and sparkly before. I noticed a door was open and I slipped through it. The room was twice as wide as the queens and there was a nice scent that lingered.There was a boy sitting on a chair with his back turned to me. He was in dark blue robes. The colour matched his dark hair and the nape of his neck was so fair. I didn't know how long I stared at the beautiful sigh
Aurelia's POV"You are going to be queen!" Mira squealed so much that I winced with my hands over my ears. My cheeks hurt as I had been smiling so much. Who knew Mira could produce this much excitement?"Congratulations to you both," Hunter gave a thumbs up. "You'll do fine as queen."I wasn't so certain about that. In fact, I wasn't sure at all. I knew nothing about being queen. But Hunter assured me that the King would take care of it. I knew that. I could totally rely on Liam.I had been so uncomfortable under their stare. They placed so much expectations of me in their eyes that I feared jumping down from it to my own trust in myself, would break my back. I didn't want to let them down but I also didn't want to feel too pressured."You two are a perfect couple," Renee chipped in. She had come along to serve me lunch when she heard the news. Her eyes were wide with excitement as everyone was caught in the jubilating spirit."You're the ice to the Lycan King's fierceness," she said
Aurelia's POV"Emma," Liam called her name in a stern voice that left no room for chit-chats.I turned to the guards at the door. "Leave us," they bowed at the simple command and they walked out of the hallway.I stared at the door, almost drilling a hole through it."I know you don't trust me," I replayed Emma's words. "But I warned you, didn't I? He'll get tired of you-""You're wrong," I had retorted and stood firm on Liam's interest in me and his daily dose of affection."Then follow me, Aurelia. Follow me and listen to him explain himself. How about that?" She had suggested in a tone I couldn't refuse.So here I was, penned down by curiosity and holding onto the strong faith that my mate was with me because he loved me and not because he had been waiting to get information on the plant that could make him go through a smoother rejection."You're back," he said with no surprise in his voice, like he knew she would return no matter how far she decided to go away from him. "Why are
Aurelia's POVI lost count of the minutes that felt like hours in his arms but when he cupped my face, there was worry in his eyes.His eyes were so sincere. He brushed his thumbs over my cheeks and his frown deepened."You're crying again," he said more to himself than to me, almost like he was trying to figure out why all on his own.It was a sight that broke my heart even further. This man who would do anything for me would betray my trust? I didn't want to believe it.I didn't even realise I was crying until he mentioned it. I was that much of a mess in my head already.My thoughts were eating me alive like they were paid to specifically do so. Every scenario played in my head. How would he do it?When would he do it? Would he look me in the eye like he was doing now? Would he still have that look of worry and affection in his eyes?I didn't want to picture Liam being so cold to me. We were already past that stage. I liked the phase we were in now. It was nothing but a soft pat of
Aurelia's POVLeaves crunched under my feet as I zoomed past the crickets of the night leaving my tears behind.I had no control over them. They could do whatever they wanted. They couldn't stop me from leaving, not even the howling of my wolf in my head.Her sadness was like a pitchfork pierced into my guts and twisted only to be ripped out leaving nothing but a hollow of anguish inside of me.I bit down hard on my lip, not caring when I tasted blood. My heart, after all, was bleeding too. The betrayal stung hard. The last thread I thought I jumped onto had been a figment of my imagination.With no money, no food, no destination in mind, I just ran. The further I ran deep into the woods the more the mate bond throbbed in my heart.My wolf was yet to accept it. She didn't want to believe it. The man we put our trust in had let us down strongly.She was in denial but I was already making the decision for us.He would be furious to find me gone but this was the best for both of us. Sinc
Aurelia's POV Morning came and I was walking on my two feets. My wolf was tired and had retreated to rest. I was hungry, tired and dirty. I needed a bath, some food and a place to sleep too. I was already in another pack. I noticed it when the sky brightened and I encountered two to three children running around, chasing each other. When they saw me, they froze and they ran the other way, screaming for their mothers and crying. They looked at least five years old or seven, I could tell correctly. "I look that much of a mess, huh?" I smirked to myself and scratched my face. I looked down at my dirty hands and sighed heavily. If only I could find a stream or a public bath. That would be nice. I could wash my clothes and wait for them to dry or better yet, have them dry while serving as the hanger moving under the sun. I touched my necklace. "I guess it's just me and you again," I said to the poor thing and inhaled deeply, trying to gather strength from nature. I was leaving every
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