CeliaI gave him a wicked smile as I held that small vial in my hand. While he had been lost in the heat rising up from our bodies, I had sneakily reached for the vial.I wore a satisfied smile on my face, grinning from ear to ear as I held the vial proudly in my hand. It held a bluish sheen to it and glimmered faintly as I hedl it.Jasper only kept looking at me, grinning back.Wait, why was he grinning?Something was not right.The way his eyes danced and a playful smile adorned his lips somehow made my smile crumble.I frowned a bit and furrowed my eyebrows.“Why are you smiling?”I asked him, feeling unable to help myself. “My lips, I can smile whenever I want”He responded and slowly reached for the vial.“Uh huh” Not so fast, your highness” I muttered, stretching my hand and holding it as far from him as possible.“Ok, task over, now give it back to me” He said but I shook my head.“No, first you have to agree that you are taking me to the ball with you. Just me”He cocked an ey
CeliaI tried hard not to shiver as he looked at me with that predatory gaze.“Though I should add that I don’t think you are ready for it.”Yeah, granted I was shivering under his gaze, he would feel that but hey, I was still standing in the room and had not left.He had to give me credit for it.“Why? Are you afraid I might surpass your expectations?” I taunted, donning more bravado than I actually felt.I wanted him near me by hook or crook. It was too painful to stand this close to him yet not be able to reach for his face and kiss those damn lips again.Yes, I had officially lost it.But then I was never quite the woman I usually was whenever he was around.Jasper gave a sly grin, “I would be more than happy if you did kitten. But, I doubt you would be able to”Oh. He was challenging me.All thoughts of exhaustion and tiredness flew out of the window as I jutted my chin up and spoke in a loud and clear voice.“Try me”Jasper was lying on the bed so he got up and placed himself in
Celia When I had nothing to throw up and my stomach was empty of every single thing I had forced down my throat in the past few hours, I turned the tap on and washed my mouth and face. I looked at my reflection. I really looked like a homeless person when compared to Nymeria in her long silk gown that hugged her curves perfectly. She was everything I was not. I looked at myself, and the state I was in, and angrily yanked the towel from the hanger and dabbed at my face, wiping out the bile. After splashing some more water on my face, I decided to walk out of the washroom, without bothering to dry it. Nymeria was standing by the side of the table, waiting for me. Her dress seemed to be made of water. It was a flowing, ethereal creation that seems to float around her like a cloud. It is made of delicate, gossamer-like fabric, and its soft, pale pink hue complements her rosy cheeks and full lips. I blinked, trying to focus on something else. “You are not feeling well dear. I think
CeliaMy cheeks were flush, not with desire but with rage. I was mad at him and I felt the wave of jealousy rolling off of me while my eyes were glued on their hands that were still woven together.“Nym, let us talk later”He said in a sweet voice as she stepped away from him.“If you say so, prince”But he still held her hand and stopped her as he muttered, “Everything is good between us, right? You forgive me?”Nymeria gave him a smile and placed her hand on his and gave him a reassuring squeeze.“Don’t worry, you can always count on me”Jasper too gave her a smile. Not his usual sly grin but a genuine smile. A real one.And that made me feel even more jealous.I was suddenly feeling murderous and the need to bury the knife into the target was overwhelming.“I believe you did as asked,” Jasper murmured to her softly as I angrily walked past them to grab a knife from the table.“Yes my prince”On another note, why just 1 knife?So, I simply plucked the entire goddamn tray and held it
Celia I hated him. I hated him to the core. That was what I kept telling myself as his lips found mine and he began kissing me, hungrily. Well, I could play the game too. Our mutual passion or fury or whatever it was could serve as a perfect outlet to subdue one another. There was nothing to lose. I could kiss him back, make him come undone just like the day I had sucked him clean and wiped off that smirk off his face. That would redeem me. His moans would be brownie points. I fought to keep my head in the game but soon his hands left mine and began trailing downward. I was hyperaware of the way his fingers slowly, deliberately trailed down the path to my body. Meanwhile, I was being ravaged by his lips which demanded more access. I fought my body’s need to comply but Goddess my mind was on the losing end already. “Celia” He breathed just one word, my name and I let go of the leash I had placed upon myself, restricting me. “Kiss me, harder” I muttered and he obliged, flick
Celia I raised my hand and ran straight at Jasper who stood where he was. His hands were still in his pockets and he barely stepped aside as I tried to hit him. In one smooth move, he twisted the dagger out of my hand, knocking it off as it clattered to the ground. “You are distracted” He muttered as he bent down, plucked the dagger from the floor, and threw it to the target in one straight shot. Again, it hit the bullseye. Though I knew it had, I couldn’t help but turn around and check for myself. He saw me looking at the small shortsword that was still vibrating due to the impact. “And you lost, again. So do as I say. Strip for me” His eyes darkened as he looked at me. He did not advance toward me nor did he look the slightest bit aroused. There was that signature smug look on his face that annoyed the hell out of me. “Now” He repeated in an even voice and the walls trembled a little. There was barely a hint of power in his voice, the slightest tinge of authority but it mad
( Some of you might find the chapter too intense so leaving this note at the top)CeliaSince he was being so open about it, I decided to ask what was on my mind next.“How close? Have you shared a night of passion together?”Jasper halted.I saw the split second of hesitation in his eyes and everything I had buried down earlier in my heart came bubbling outside like a volcano. I needed answers and I just wanted to get out of the way if they were having a fling.After all, I still hadn’t found my mate. Though he did not have to answer me.“Are you sure you can handle the truth?” Another question instead of an answer.He enquired and I felt my jealousy return in rolling waves. “Answer me,” I said in a determined voice.Jasper replied, “Sway your hips and I will”Huh?“What?”“I said. Sway. Your. Hips”Every word was laced with the same authority he had used earlier and I stiffened. I began moving seductively as he began speaking.“There was one night I spent with her or maybe a few mo
Jasper I bent over and held Celia in my arms, cradling her as the blood dried on my chest. She had passed out from exhaustion but more so from the act of spilling blood, my blood to be specific. Her head lolled to the side as I picked her from the ground and walked through the passageway. There were not many guards and a few who did see me noticed the blood on my chest. The wound had healed but the shirt still looked blood stained. I reached her room in the blink of an eye and called out for Grace who was hovering somewhere nearby. She promptly stepped forward, her head bent low as she greeted me, “Yes, your majesty” “Celia is exhausted and maybe she will need something to cool her nerves” Grace nodded her head obediently. “I will, your majesty” I lowered Celia onto the bed and gave Grace a few instructions to follow before walking out of her room. I knew Nymeria would be waiting for me in my study. She would not leave as she had a lot many questions for me. Thus, I straig
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