JasperThe sexy seductress was making it very hard for me to focus on training her with her innocent moves and hot headedness.If I was going to rule the south, I needed someone as my next in command, someone I could put my trust in. I needed an ally who knew the lands well, knew the people, and could be of some assistance to me when I would go visit.I knew one year was more than enough time for me to win the challenge and take the throne for myself and just one little trick would make them all bow to me, but I did not want to have wary subjects who would grab the first opportunity to attack me when my back would turn against them.I wanted fiercely loyal subjects, those who would die for me even without me asking them to do so.And my first attempt at that was failing miserably. I had to stop thinking with my dick and start using my head.“Alright”I replied as I did not let my gaze wander down her thin and slim waist. She was a little bomb that would explode at the slightest thing
Celia I was so happy to have taken the cruel prince by surprise and snatched that smug look from his face. He had been taunting me with his cocky attitude and being a lycan obviously put him leagues above me. But I recalled an old trick my dad had taught me when I was young and mom used to hide my favorite dagger from me, high above one of the cupboards. Dad had taught me to use my weight to my advantage and jump around like a monkey, using just about anything as a stepping stone. But now as I looked at the prince, I saw his crystal clear silver eyes dotted with red. Blood pooled in his eyes and trickled out of them and I bit my lower lip nervously. Shit. I had only tried to deliver a blow, not fatally injure him, much less make him bleed. And I had not even hit his eyes but thrown some dust that I had found on the top most peg of an iron pole with a rusty top side that the servants could not probably reach. It had not even been much, just a few bits but I had simply taken wha
CeliaI did not remember much of it but Ma pulled me and Liam near her and shielded us from the chunks of wood and metal that went flying around.Our entire home rattled with a force that was like the sounds of missiles popping off and detonating one after another as rubble and splinters of wood rained down upon us.Ma pulled us close and I heard footsteps coming closer, approaching us and somebody snatching Ma away from us.I skidded to the floor and came to a halt as my head crashed into something heavy. The pain was too blinding and I felt darkness slowly consume me. I felt myself and my little brother being thrown into our hiding spot dad had specially designed for us.It was carved into the pillar and had its entrance from behind while there was a large thick mesh on the front.We would often play hide and seek and that was my favorite hiding spot.But why was I being tucked there along with my little brother if we were not playing?My little brain could not understand.“Celia, C
Celia I jumped up from the bed I was sleeping in and woke up with a start. I felt a rough hand on me as I struggled to get free. Two rough and strong hands were trying to hold me down but I was clawing at them, widely. “Let me go, you monster” I snarled. The memory that I had taken such a great effort to viciously bury down in the deepest parts of my conscience had cropped up, unexpectedly. It had not only broken me down, but it had ravaged me. I felt I was on fire, that my insides were being twisted and thrown into a grinder. My hair was flying from one side to another as I gritted my teeth and my wolf tried hard to calm me down, but to no avail. I was mad. I wanted to kill. I wanted blood. Those eyes of my mother, the way she had screamed….that was upon me. I had lived with that guilt all my life. And somehow after being so strong and bold, after relentlessly training to be the next beta, after being sold in an auction, attempted to be raped twice, I had survived. Even
CeliaEven after Grace insisted a dozen times to take me to my room and I replied a million times that I did not want to rest, Grace did not leave me alone.She kept repeating she had orders from the prince to let me rest so she hovered beside me like an insistent fly until I gave up.Not that I had the mental condition or energy to put up a fight with her.So, I let her slowly guide me to my room, half-walking, half-leaning on her. My knees were still trembling and no matter how many times she wiped off my sweat, a thin coat would reappear on my forehead.I was too worked up and not being allowed to go near the prince made me cranky like a four year old.My hand went to the locket again and I touched it, reassuring myself that in a way, he was around me.I mentally said sorry to him though a little part of me was angry at him for bringing out the worst of my nightmares.It had taken me ages to forget it and yet it now danced on the edge of my vision, taunting me, scraping at the old
JasperI sat in my study with my head thrown back on the chair as I slouched on it. My fingers tapped against the polished mahogany table as I read through the file in my hand.After my father’s announcement of wanting to divide the kingdoms into parts for us to rule for an year each, things had gotten chaotic.Friendships were being forged and alliances were formed as everybody scampered to get into the good books of my two elder brothers.Of course, nobody bothered wanting to strike an alliance with me.I had picked the part of a kingdom nobody would want to rule even if they were forced much less ask for it willingly.Which is why I was surprised when there was a knock on the door.I did not immediately answer, thinking that it must be one of the palace guards coming to ask me for lunch for the second time in two hours.I waited for someone to open their mouth and say, “Prince Jasper, it is well past lunch hour” or something but no voice came.So, I pinched the bridge of my nose a
CeliaI had been asleep and resting for almost the entire day and Grace made it difficult for me to get out of my room.She had been given instructions to not let me out of her sight and she was quite diligent in performing her duties.My panic attack had subsided though it did leave me a bit shocked and my heart in a wrench.The solace did me no good as it only irritated me more. I wanted to do something, to get out of the room, to maybe just train myself and vent out my anger than sitting on a bed and sulking.That was not me. And, I did not want to go down the rabbit hole and inspect every feeling trying to threaten me into another bout of anxiety.“Grace, it has been almost two days now, can I leave the room?”I asked her. She was folding the clothes methodically and setting them up in the pile.“I am afraid, Prince Jasper does not permit me to do so”The mention of the prince angered me even more.He had just forgotten me here, left me to sulk and rot in one of his many rooms.He
CeliaThe rest of the day passed in a blur and having nothing else to do I trained my ass off. I had been working out so much that Grace had to look all over for me and force me to stop for the day.I didn’t do much but just ran around and did light stuff but it felt nice to be in the open.Mostly word had spread by now of Jasper marking me and I made it a point to make the necklace visible so that everybody would leave me alone.And it worked wonders.Nobody dared look me in the eye or run their sleazy gazes up and down my body. It was as if I was invisible to them and they maintained a safe distance from me and did not dare look at me.I felt relieved and my anger was slowly turning into guilt again. Or maybe it was my workout that took it all away?The necklace gave me some sort of power but I had no idea what was going on between Jasper and me. We could be partners if not friends and yet that steamy night had opened doors for something more.Then back at the training, the way his
To all my lovely readers, I cannot thank you enough for staying with me on this wild roller coaster of emotions until the end. You cannot pick a favorite child but writing this book was magical, simply because, I got so many of you who were invested to read. I sincerely hope I've improved as a writer when compared to my old books and continue to write stories that touch your hearts. Last year was especially tough for me with fighting depression and a few other issues that I do not want to make public. Some of you loved the story, others not so much. But I want to thank every single one of you for giving this story and this author a chance. If my story managed to provide a temporary escape from reality or simply added a sprinkle of joy to your day, then my mission as a writer is complete. And to those who patiently endured the plot twists – I promise, I only did it because I love you all. Okay, maybe that is not the complete truth. Perhaps there was a hint of mischief in the twis
Jasper I turned my head to look at her from a distance. I could see the nervousness in her gaze, in her body language. My gaze flicked to the guests, all of whom were looking at her. She cleared her throat, “Today is going to be a big day of my life. But before I take that step…I…I wanted to tell you all something.” Her gaze found mine and I only smiled at her. Before she could speak another word, one of the many people in the crowd placed a hand on his chest and bowed down to her. Celia was stunned and watched him In surprise. Behind her, Nymeria, Xenos, and Vasil were slowly descending the stairs too. Following the first person, a few more did the same- place a hand on their chest, their heart to be precise, and bowed to her, going down on one knee. “What is going on?” She asked In a low voice. Soon, everybody followed suit. In a matter of minutes, the entire crowd was on its knees, bowing to her. Her eyes flicked to me and I too did the same gesture. Placing my hand on my
JasperI cleared my throat and looked down at the crowd of people who had come to witness the wedding. There had been no happy event or celebration in the palace after my birth.That day had been a day of celebration but Isadora had turned it into a nightmare. And after all those years, finally, we were having a moment to rejoice.But as I watched the hopeful eyes of the people surrounding me, I could not shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at me.I had to get rid of it. And the only way to do that was to be honest.For a confused moment, I stood on the stairs, looking at the excited faces of the people around me.My gaze flicked to my father and brothers, all of whom were smiling proudly at me.“Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention please?” I asked in a loud voice, turning even those heads that had been momentarily distracted while looking at the grandeur of the palace.“First of all, I would like to thank you all for being present today. Frankly, I did not expect so many of
JasperThe huge room suddenly felt too small and the air in the world did not seem enough to fill my lungs.Celia had spoken something, but I was too busy staring at her.My heartbeat was roaring in my ears as I took in her beauty that shone radiantly, nothing short of a thousand lanterns.Her face looked distraught and her eyes were red, her cheeks puffed up. Her makeup had smeared a little too.But despite that, she looked like an angel. A Goddess.I had only seen her in her usual gowns and training clothes, but this marvel…this was just for me.For a minute, I simply stood in front of her, drinking her features. How could she be so blissfully ignorant of what she was doing to me by just standing there in that beautiful dress?I took a step forward, and I saw a tear trickle down her eye.“Shh, don’t cry,” I said softly, reaching for her face and cupping it. And when I did, a surge of electricity rippled through me.My Lycan roared in my head, feeling exhilarated to see her all dolle
CeliaDread settled in my heart when Xenos and Nymeria revealed my life’s biggest secret. My whole life had been a lie?But then what about the people I grew up with thinking they were my parents?Nothing made sense anymore, and I only stared blankly at Xenos.“Is…is that true?”I asked, and he nodded. “There is a reason I never found the courage to tell you all of this earlier. And to be sure that I was not guessing it all wrong, I asked Nymeria to allow me to show her that memory, too. I touched her and with her permission, I looked through her memories…childhood memories, to be specific. There was no trace of me or Isadora in it.”My heart felt like it would break into a million pieces.“But then, how could I never do magic? I never sensed it and…and then why was I not able to fight her when she…she killed me?”I was sobbing hysterically and Nymeria’s face looked like she was cursing herself for ruining my day.She apologized over a thousand times that she did not want me to learn
Celia "Are you going to tell her, or should I?" Nymeria's question hung in the air like a storm cloud, casting a palpable tension in the room. I looked from Nymeria to Xenos, confusion and a growing sense of foreboding twisting in my chest. Their solemn expressions conveyed that something grave was afoot. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, my heart beginning to race. "Tell me what?" I pressed, my voice laced with unease. Xenos, usually a man of few words, hesitated for a moment. His eyes held mine for a second longer than I expected, and I could see a mix of guilt and apprehension in them. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it again, the weight of his unspoken words lingering in the room. Nymeria, her expression torn between sympathy and responsibility, finally broke the silence. "Celia, there's something you need to know." I felt a shiver crawl down my spine. The room, once filled with warmth and camaraderie, had now become suffocating with uncertainty. My thoughts raced as
CeliaThe grand lycan palace was alive with anticipation, every corner adorned with flowers and delicate decorations in celebration of our wedding day. Two weeks had passed in a blur since the night Jasper had proposed to me in front of my pack.And every day after that seemed like a dream to me. I would wake up and pinch myself, wondering if it was all my imagination.But it was true, every single moment of it…just like today.The air was thick with the sweet scent of blooming roses, and the palace echoed with laughter and the sound of joyous conversations.In my room, the one I used to live in before I moved in with Jasper, a sense of nervous excitement filled the room as I sat before a beautifully crafted vanity mirror, surrounded by my maids and my dear friend, Nymeria. Their skilled hands moved with grace, tending to every detail to transform me into the radiant bride I aspired to be.The maids began to braid my long, dark hair, weaving flowers and jewels into it.As their nimble
"Are you guys ever coming out?" Jasper called with a good-natured grin, standing a few paces away from the porch.He had his hands placed on the doorframe and looked at us with his eyes furrowed as he saw Vasil holding my hand which I gave a gentle squeeze.“Don’t forget what I told you. Think about it,” I added, looking at Vasil while getting up from the chair.Jasper folded his hands over his chest and asked, “What secret are you guys discussing?”Vasil too got up from his chair and gave my arm a light squeeze.“Of course. And just so you know, if he ever hurts you or makes you sad, you know where to find me.”“Ha ha ha, very funny, bloodsucker,” Jasper replied humorlessly and looked at me to indicate that he wanted me to come out of the room.Vasil outstretched his hand as if to say, “After you” and I looked at him with my eyes wide, “Why are you always mean to him?”Jasper grinned, “He tried to take you from me. Am I not great for letting him live?”Vasil, who was just behind me,
CeliaAs Jasper walked beside me, his very presence filled my being with warmth and comfort. His scent, a heady mixture of earthy woods and his own unique, intoxicating fragrance, enveloped me like a protective embrace. I observed him, my heart overflowing with gratitude for the incredible man who had become not just my love but my lifeline, my mate.Isadora had tricked me into believing Vasil was my mate but the true pull of the mate bond was poles apart from the confusion she had tried to insert in my head.It was as if whenever I saw Jasper, my heart filled with hope and the promise that if he was around, nothing would ever go wrong.Every time I recalled the way he had jumped up and down the floor when I called him my mate and the way he ran through the palace telling everyone excitedly that I was his mate, my eyes would grow moist.What had I ever done to deserve him? I barely tried to fight Isadora but he literally fought both the devil and the Goddess, just like he had promised