Evangeline povSounds of grunts and heavy breathing filled the room. The air was thick with tension and something else—something far darker.Frustration.“Pull it tighter! I want my boobs to defy gravity, my stomach to disappear into another dimension, and my butt to look like it belongs in a museum!” I yelled, clutching the desk in front of me like my life depended on it as the exasperated attendants fumbled and yanked at the corset-like clasps on my dress.“Ugh! Ugh!" “Pull harder, harder, you useless lot! I need to look like the future queen! All eyes on me—do you hear? Unless you want your worthless heads rolling off your necks, PULL!” I tried to yell, but the words only came out as a breathless whisper. My bottom lip wobbled as I bit down on it, bracing myself and enduring the torture.Behind me, there were faint grunts and muttered complaints of “She’s going to split in half” and “Is she breathing?” but I didn’t care. Beauty required sacrifice, and apparently, so did my dignit
Hades povI closed the file and tossed it onto the table, rubbing the bridge of my nose in frustration.Leaning back in my seat, I shut my eyes in an attempt to relax, my fingers drumming rhythmically against the desk. The silence stretched endlessly, much like the pile of work that never seemed to stop growing.And the reason for this endless workload? The hunting game set to begin tomorrow. A competition where all the packs would showcase their strengths, tactics, and skills. It would stretch on for an entire week—seven days of utter stress, interruptions, and unwanted company.The three things I despised most.“Pfft, we have events like this every year! All the packs always show up. Why does Dad insist on going through all this trouble? I’m sure half of them don’t even want to be there!”The memory of those careless words I once said to him flashed through my mind, and my eyes narrowed into a dangerous glare. The air in the study thickened instantly, suffocating and heavy, as I un
Davina pov“Wake up, sleepyhead!” I groaned as Eva yanked the blanket off me, I could practically hear the happiness dripping from her voice as she shook me awake but all I wanted to do was bury myself back under the covers and drown out her annoyingly high-pitched voice, but her next words jolted me awake faster than a bucket of cold water.“Today is the hunting day, dearest madam, and guests from all the packs are already arriving!”The second those words left her mouth, I shot up so fast I nearly fell out of bed but Eva, ever the lifesaver, caught me before I hit the floor.Today is the hunting game! And I overslept.Panic surged through me as I whipped my head toward the spot where Hades had been sleeping last night, but the bed was empty. Of course, he’d gotten up early and left. This wasn’t the first time he’d come to my room, and it wasn’t the first time I’d overslept because of him.It was his scent—it lingered in my room and wrapped around me like a cocoon, chasing away the
Davina povThe silence seemed like it would stretch on for an eternity, but then, like the flick of a switch, the murmurs and hushed whispers began as I stood frozen in place, unable to move under his intense gaze."Is that the blind girl the king likes?" A woman's voice cut through the chatter, her tone low but loud enough for me to hear as her eyes sized me up like I was some strange exhibit at a zoo."I mean, it must be her. Who else have you seen with white hair and eyes like hers?" Another voice scoffed, and I could practically feel her eyes burning holes into me.What did the king even see in her? I heard she was a servant before this. She looks like a freak. And she’s blind, isn’t she?" The biting words from the women surrounded me, their judgment clear as daylight.Then came the men."Damn, she looks hot. Look at those curves in that dress," one male voice commented shamelessly, sparking a burst of laughter from the others."I can see why the king’s interested. She’s... unique
Hades povI watched as her eyes widened in horror, glancing toward my direction. For a moment, I couldn’t help but wonder if she could truly see, given how accurately she could pinpoint where someone was based on their gaze.The other alphas at the table exchanged glances between her and me, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and confusion. None of them dared to start eating—not yet, not until I took the first bite. They called it respect, but honestly, I couldn’t care less about their so-called etiquette. My attention was solely on her.Earlier, I had been curious about how she would react to the whispers and venomous words thrown her way. I thought it might be amusing to see her squirm under the weight of their stares, to watch her falter. But as each second passed, I realized how wrong I was. My restraint was slipping, and with every insult, my urge to silence those disrespectful fools grew stronger. I was close—so close—to having their heads roll off the ground until Draven
Davina povToday had been... something.Breakfast with the king had been weird, to say the least. And I’m not only talking about the Alpha seated beside me who couldn’t stop boasting about how powerful and wealthy he was. I maintained respect and control, nodding politely as he spoke. But at some point, when his hand slid under the table, grazing closer and closer to my inner thigh, that control began to slip.I froze, my breath hitching as I struggled to decide what to do. My throat felt tight, and no words came to mind. I thought I’d have to endure it, to sit there silently and take it, when suddenly, Hades’ laugh rang through the hall.It wasn’t the kind of laugh that brought joy or eased tension. No, it was dry, devoid of humor, and cold enough to send a shiver down my spine.I quickly realized something bad was about to happen. It always did when he laughed like that.What was going to happen."Goodnight, Davina," Eva said softly, her hand gently patting my head as she tucked me
10 years agoDavina pov“Help! Help me!” I screamed, clutching the tree branch as if my life depended on it. And, well, if you think about it, it really did. Because once I let go of this branch, I'd either fall to my doom or take a nasty tumble that would probably involve some broken bones and a very bruised ego. My breath was coming in panicked gasps, my heart was beating a little faster than necessary, and I was starting to question how I ended up in such a ridiculous situation.“I hate you for luring me into this trap!” I hissed, glaring at the bird in my hand, which I had somehow named Shelly—yes, Shelly. I don’t know why, I just did. Shelly, the bird who led me up this towering tree that I was now precariously clinging to, barely holding on for dear life.How did I end up here? How did a ten-year-old even climb this tree without being completely ridiculous?Well, it all started innocently enough. I was walking along with the maids and my utterly annoying, spoiled four-year-old y
10 years agoHades povEverything was supposed to be boring today. That was why I had escaped from the hunting game to sneak in some sleep. But as I looked at the girl groaning while trying to sit up on the ground, I couldn’t help but feel amused—and a little intrigued.Usually, people would fawn over me and bend to my every whim, eager to please and let me have whatever I desired. At first, it was thrilling—having everything handed to me without question. But over time, it grew tiresome, predictable, and unbearably dull.Then, when I was named the next in line to be the Lycan King, it only got worse. Suddenly, the world’s eyes were on me, every move scrutinized, every word echoed back like gospel. It was suffocating, maddening—a constant pressure that left no room to breathe, let alone be myself."Are you crazy?!" the girl snapped, her eyes narrowing into a sharp glare as she shot up so quickly I could hear the sound of her bones cracking. She froze at the noise, her mouth opening an
Evangelina pov.“How could this be!?” I screamed at Liam, who immediately dropped to his knees, bowing his head in submission. His face remained expressionless, his silence only fueling my rage. But I wasn’t going to calm down—not this time.This time, I had messed up—really bad.“I told you to hire someone to scare her a little, to create a scandal so they’d be seen together in the changing room—not for someone to assault her like that!”“Please forgive me, madam,” Liam apologized again.My eyes narrowed into a glare, and I fought the urge to pick up something and throw it straight at him.Ugh! This is bad.So bad that, for the first time, I felt fear creeping into my chest.Earlier at the boutique, I had come up with a simple plan—to ruin that blind girl’s reputation by hiring a thug to sneak in, making it seem like she had been caught cheating on the king again. That was it.He wasn’t supposed to hurt her. He wasn’t even supposed to touch her.I shivered as the image of her unconsc
Kian pov.I felt restless. Uneasy. And—damn it—I felt scared.Fuck! What the hell was wrong with me? No, it had to be Caleb. That dumb wolf had to be the reason I was feeling this way.“Kian! How dare you agree to this? How dare you, after I warned you not to harm her?!” Caleb’s furious growl echoed in my head, and I felt him fight for control. This time, he was serious—dead set on taking over. His force was relentless, making it harder for me to resist.I kept my expression blank as Evangelina, Ethan’s daughter, spoke, clearly trying to divert Theo’s and my attention.“I love the new collection this season. It’s so pretty! I’m going to buy a lot of clothes from you this time, Theo.”Theo, a man with long black hair, simply offered a polite bow.“I’d be honored to have you do that, Lady Evangelina,” he said, the corner of his lips tilting into a smile.Almost instantly, Evangelina’s two friends blushed at the sight of the strikingly handsome man.I frowned, my hands clenching at my si
Davina pov. Disclaimer: Attempted mention of assault. "Scream, and you die." My body went deadly still, my heart pounding so hard against my chest that I could hear it. The stranger’s hand covered my mouth—my nose. I could barely breathe, but what terrified me even more was something else entirely. Eva had been outside when the stranger entered. Which meant the thud I had heard earlier… Had been her body hitting the ground. Eva… Was she okay? “Fuck… you’re really something. Your body is to die for,” the stranger murmured, and my eyes widened as I felt his hand on me. That’s when I realized—I was naked, only in my underwear. Shit. Shit. This was bad. Really bad. I groaned as his filthy hands roamed over me, touching everywhere—my waist, my butt. He was practically seizing me, taking his time. “Mmm—” I struggled, trying to move, but it was useless. He was twice my size, his grip unyielding, his strength undeniable. I knew, just from the way he had lifted me into the air earl
Davina pov.“Oh my goddess! That dress looks so beautiful on you. You should definitely buy it, Evangelina. It makes your eyes pop.”One of Evangelina’s friends, Camille, squealed in delight as the sound of fabric slipping on and off their bodies reached my ears.“Anything looks good on Evangelina, but yes, that dress really suits you, babe. You should definitely get it.” The other one, Esther commented.“Oh really? Thank you, girls. You’re too nice, haha,” Evangelina said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.I sighed, resting my head on my hand as I sat uncomfortably on the couch, forced to listen to their mindless chatter.Eva stood not far from me, and I could tell she was just as uncomfortable, but she remained silent.I didn’t say anything either.For the past hour, Evangelina and her friends had ignored me as though I weren’t even there—which, honestly, was fine by me. But what wasn’t fine was them refusing to let me leave.When I brought up the idea of leaving, Evangelina,
Davina pov. “Oh, don’t say that. That’s mean. Anyone can shop here. Plus, she’s the king’s mate, right, Davina?” Silence. I could feel everyone’s gaze on me, especially both Sebastian and Theo. They were all waiting to see how I would respond, anticipating a reaction—waiting for a show. But I don’t give them the satisfaction. I’ve learned that the best way to keep your emotions and thoughts hidden is to remain unaffected by provocations, and so… “How could you—” “Good afternoon, Lady Evangelina. It’s lovely to see you here. And yes, I am shopping for clothes. I assume you are doing the same?” I smile, cutting Eva off while giving Evangelina a light bow, maintaining the poise of a dignified woman. I didn’t want any drama, especially in a place like this. According to Eva, this was where all the elites came to shop, and if I reacted or did something wrong, it wouldn’t just reflect badly on me but also on the king. I couldn't give them the satisfaction, couldn't let their words aff
Davina pov.The car came to a stop in front of the building, and almost instantly, I straightened up, my body going rigid. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing nerves, but it was easier said than done—especially when I knew I was about to get into trouble. No, not about to—I was going to be in trouble.Eva had told me that all kinds of people shopped here—Ministers, Alphas, Beta wives, and their children. That meant I had no right to step foot inside. Even if I had once been an Alpha’s daughter, that life was long gone. Now, I was nothing more than a slave—a slave who had to keep his identity a secret.“We’re here, madam,” Sebastian’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. I took a deep, steady breath as the door beside me opened, and a hand stretched out toward me.I blinked, momentarily caught off guard, my gaze drifting downward in hesitation.“Davina, his hand…” Eva prompted, urging me to take it.Reluctantly, I reached out, my fingers brushing against Sebastian’s. Almost ins
Davina pov.Awkward.That was the only way to describe whatever was happening right now. As the car moved down the road, silence filled the air. No one spoke—not even Eva, who sat beside me, as if she could sense the tension radiating between me and Sebastian.I fiddled with the hem of my dress, biting my bottom lip, my head lowered in an attempt to distract myself. But it wasn’t working. Sebastian sat in the passenger seat, his gaze flickering back and forth from the rearview mirror. I could feel his eyes on me and it made me uncomfortable.Thinking about it, it actually felt like I had met him before. Now that I no longer associated him with my Sebastian, it was as if I had come to my senses and could finally see clearly (the irony).His voice and scent, especially, felt familiar. Yet, for some reason, I couldn't place them—where I had met him before or if I truly knew him.“We are almost at the boutique, madam. Should I park in front or at the back of the boutique?” The driver’s vo
Hades pov."The Lunaria grace is a flower known for its powerful healing properties. It is rumored to cure any disease, and some even claim it has the ability to bring the dead back to life. However, that last claim is likely baseless, given that the Lunaria’s Grace hasn’t been seen for centuries.""The flower is believed to be extinct, with no recorded sightings for years. However, if anyone were to possess it, it would be the Veil Auction House—the most influential auction house in the kingdom, known for acquiring rare and priceless artifacts. Still, the Lunaria’s Grace is so rare and powerful that I highly doubt they actually have it. The doctor may have simply mentioned it in a desperate attempt to save his life. That is my assessment of the matter, Your Majesty."My fingers paused as Felix fell silent, his head slightly bowed as he sat in the front seat of the car, his tone respectful yet cold.I had asked for his opinion on the Lunaria’s Grace—whether it was real and if it could
Davina pov.I sat on my bed, a light expression on my face as a smile tugged at my lips. The night had gone well—I had enjoyed myself, and for the first time in a while, I had celebrated my birthday with laughter, drinks, and cake. It was a rare moment of happiness."Thank you, Father. Thank you, Mother, for coming back. You gave me the best present today," I murmured, setting aside all the gifts except for Eva’s and Rylie's, telling myself I would open them tomorrow.Remembering Eva’s gift was smaller, like a box, I reached for it. Carefully unwrapping the present, my fingers traced over the contents. A cold surface met my touch, and I instantly recognized it—a bracelet.A soft smile curled my lips as I held it up before slipping it onto my wrist, feeling a deep sense of gratitude.It must be beautiful. Such a shame I couldn’t see it.I reached for Rylie’s present, remembering how he had bragged about it earlier. He had insisted I would absolutely love it and even told me to thank hi