Author's POV "Where's Arthur?" Julianne asked his guard."He is in the courtyard, sitting near the garden." The guards replied."I guess you are here to berate me about my offer; I must warn you I am not In the mood to listen to it. Just leave me alone." Arthur said as soon as he saw her approaching him."And I guess my scent is stronger for you to perceive; if not, how do you know I am the one," Julianne said, taking the seat opposite him, she crossed her legs and placed her hands on her chin, staring at him."What do you want? You have made your point at the meeting room and have made a fool of myself." Arthur ignored her earlier words."You made a fool of yourself the moment you raped me, stole my dignity and pride, rejected me, and chased me out of your pack," Julianne said through gritted teeth."The second time I am hearing it today, can I have my peace and live in guilt you as you have bestowed it upon me?" "Well, to shame your enemies and grant the one thing you desire, I ac
Arthur POV I stared at Jeremy, incredulous as soon as his so-called advice slipped out of his mouth. Sometimes, I wonder if Jeremy was truly birthed by my parents, but seeing her in my features made me always think otherwise. My family is the only ones with the features we have, so definitely Jeremy is my brother, but sometimes he thinks out of place. Like what he is asking me to do right now.I decided to ask him again to make sure my ear was not the one hearing things. Sometimes, I misinterpret his suggestion for something else."You think I should pursue Julianne? Like I should woo her with words and gifts like you have said?" I repeated, ensuring I understood his absurd suggestion.Jeremy nodded, deadpan. "Yes, it's perfect. In as much as she's beautiful, intelligent, and—"I cut him off, shaking my head. "Jeremy, you can't be serious right now. And who is talking about beauty?"His expression remained earnest. "Think about it, Arthur. Julianne's connection to Antonnia makes her
Arthur's POVI was practicing swordsmanship with the male fighters in the pack while Jeremy watched. My movements were fluid, the result of years of training. Jeremy's keen eye scanned every strike, and every parry I made I swung my sword, its familiar weight an extension of my arm. The clash of steel on steel echoed through the training grounds as I sparred with the pack's top fighters.Jeremy watched from the sidelines, his eyes scrutinizing every move."Your technique's improved; I thought sleeping with different women and womanizing over these years would have made you lose your skill of fighting," he said as I disarmed my opponent.I smiled, wiping sweat from my brow. "You know, sometimes I do wonder if you are brother because the way you talk to me sometimes is quite funny. Do you think womanizing would make me lose my skill? Or do you want to be greater than me?" I smirked."Of course, once someone is so interested and deeply addicted to something, he tends to forget other ski
Arthur POVI slumped heavily into the chair, my breath unstable; it was as if I was under cardiac arrest because I suddenly lost the system to breathe. The news came in as a shock,k and despite my attempt to scare the elders and make it work, Ik probedabortivelyely. They insisted the mating ceremony was auspicious; the entire pack, as well as the union, would be cursed if we went on with it instead of postponing it.Who would have thought my happiness would be shattered in this manner as broken pieces of a plate? I would never million years think something as trivial and absurd as this would be a stumbling block to being with my daughter Antonia. This mating ceremony would be the only way to get close since Julianne is behaving like the witches at a coven, my only hope and the purpose of asking her hand in marriage was to just get close to my daughter — Nothing more. And not it has been obstructed to further notice.Till when? I don't know. All I know is for as long as the mating cere
Arthur's POVI walked out furiously on her and from the quarters with one place on mind to calm down my nerves: my chambers. I shoved the guards aside and banged the door to their hearing. Once inside I slammed my fist into the wall, the sound echoing through my room. Fury coursed through my veins like molten lava. I shifted and hit my body on the wall, and then shifted back to a human, falling in shock from the pain; I stood up slowly and hit my hands on the wall.How could fate do this to me? How could the gods listen to the prayers of a mad woman, someone who is hellbent on spoiling my joy? Why would the gods answer her prayers?So while I was thinking she was preparing for the mating ceremony, I never knew she was praying for the cancellation of the ceremony.I thought of Antonnia, my plans, my future, the life I dreamt of having with her now that she is in my arms but everything shattered because of Julianne.So it was Julianne all this while? She was the disaster and the sudden
Julianne's POVI knew that Antonnia left the room in anger because she didn't get the answers to the questions of what we had been discussing for days, even though living in a packed house, it doesn't stop me from teaching my daughter the little I know about our traditions and customs, she supposes that she won't listen, and the makes me wonder how she would learn that of Arthur's and acknowledge the fact she is the heir.I checked the weather outside, it was approaching evening, and she was yet to be back for dinner, which left me worried and wondering what could be wrong. No matter how angry she is, she doesn't stay out so long, but now she has.I grabbed my cotton cardigan and put it on, and then I grabbed my phone and walked out of the room to search for her. I searched the perimeter of our quarters but couldn't find her. It was then realization dawned on me that she was not anywhere close to the quarters. I grabbed my phone and dialed Jeremy's number."Jeremy, Antonia's gone, I d
Julianne's POVAs soon as I got back to the quarters with Antonnia in my arms, I locked the door and sat her down on the sofa in our room."Antonnia," I barked, my eyes gazing intently at her.She recoiled back in the chair and folded her arms underneath her breast, pouting her little lips in a stubborn fit of rage, her legs crossed as she turned away from me to the window."Don't dare me now, child, answer me when I call you," I said through gritted teeth. "Antonnia," I called again."I'm right here mommy." She replied still folding her hands and looking out of the window."And that is not the way to behave to your mother, turn around and sit properly like a good girl, and look at me when I talk." I ordered.She muttered one of her little silly words and then released her hands and positioned herself facing me but not looking at me; her eyes were on the ground where my feet lay."Why did you go out of the house without telling me? Do you know the panic I felt when I didn't find you,
Arthur's POVI slammed my fist on the table, frustration boiling inside me. "How could she?" I muttered to myself. I had humbled myself and said please, and still, Julianne refused me. Her rejection stung."How could she refuse me even though with the pleading? Didn't she know it took me a lot of nerve to do so, and she just behaved like some kind of ..." I sighed, palming my face in my arms.I thought I had done everything right. I opened up, showed her my vulnerable side, and begged her to give me a chance, to give me a chance to show her in this merciless being called Arthur, there's still a chance to love someone, to care for them no matter who or what they are. But no, she still said no; she fucking said no to my face and walked off like it meant nothing to her like I did not say it.And what again did she say to Jeremy? "Kindly do me a favor, darling; I know you have a hand in all these silly changes of character in your brother; stop telling him what to do and let him feel rem
Arthur's POV After what the maid said since she didn't whisper it to my ears but out loud to our hearing, and also the gossip spread from people who were closer to our hearing range to people spread out in the hall; Gasps and murmurs spread like wildfire through the congregation.The maid's words hung in the air in silence, with whispers, and fearful expressions written all over their faces. "Antonnia, the young lady, has fallen gravely ill.""Julianne," I caught her on time before she kissed the ground like I said earlier. She turned to stare at my grip on her hand while I tightened it."You have to calm down and not injure yourself. Let's go see her together." I whispered, steadying her in case she tried to slip away from my hold, thereby causing herself danger.My face, once radiant with joy, now clouded with concern. But I swiftly composed myself, my expression turning resolute. For her, to reassure me. I appreciated her strength, but my mind reeled with worry.Antonnia, daughter
Julianne's POV Arthur's eyes locked onto mine, his face inches from mine. I felt that familiar spark like heard ago at Adrien's mating ceremony, right in the hall when I was carrying trays of juice, but anger flared within me.How could I forget what he did? He took my innocence and left me vulnerable to my pack's ridicule. They shunned me, called me weak; they called me dirty and a hypocrite. He disgraced and humiliated me in front of the whole pack members, he made Adrien hate and lose his trust in meI was forced to flee l, alone, as there was nowhere to go since Adrien chased me out of the pack and scared. And when I finally tracked Arthur to his pack, what did I find? He wrapped around another woman, his lips on hers.The rejection stung. He sent me away, declared me unwanted, an omega, unworthy.Now, as Arthur's hands reached for me, I pushed him away."Don't, don't you dare touch me, Arthur," I warned, my voice firm.Arthur's eyes narrowed. "Julianne, what's wrong?"Everything
Julianne POV As I stepped into Arthur's house, a sea of hostile faces greeted me. His concubines emerged from the shadows, their eyes flashing with resentment.Jasmine, in particular, glared at me with venom. Her eyes seemed to bore into my soul."What brings you here?" Stella sneered, her voice dripping with malice."Arthur's decisions are getting more ridiculous by the day because I don't understand the meaning of this cheap thing here." Angel chimed in, her tone laced with disdain.Laramie snorted. "He's lost his mind, favoring you over us, not is so dumb and stupid of him to behave in that manner."Avery's voice was barely above a whisper, but her words cut deep. "You're just a temporary distraction. He'll tire of you soon. I am not trying to break your heart so early, baby girl. He is going to tire of you soon, and when he does, he is going to bring someone else, and you will get pained."I stood tall, refusing to let their hatred intimidate me. They can go to hell for all I car
Arthur's POVAs soon as Adrien left Julianne's quarter, she warned Antonia not to step foot outside the house or else she wouldn't see Arthur ever again."I will take you to a faraway land where Arthur can't reach and where you can't see him, so be a good girl and don't dare mommy by disobeying her, okay?" Julianne's smiled kissing her forehead."Yes, Mommy, do be quick; I am hungry." Antonnia whined, taking a step back into the house with the only impression of telling Julianne she would keep to her promise."Don't worry, I won't stay long where I am off to, I will be back before you know it." Julianne stood upright, Antonnia nodded and with one last stare at her mother, she banged the door.****I saw Julianne run past the side of the field where I stood watching the guard's train; I became curious and trailed her to Jeremy's office.She opened the door without knocking while I stood outside Jeremy's office, listening in on his conversation with Julianne.Julianne's voice was urgent
Julianne's POV I returned to the quarters after the unspeakable behavior with Arthur. Hide demands to be the Alpha of the pack. And she already told me that she loves spending time with Arthur, he plays with her I was preparing dinner, lost in thought, of what transpired today in Arthur's room, when I noticed Antonnia slipping out of the room.At first, I thought nothing of it, but then a nagging feeling crept in. She might be heading to Arthur's place again. My heart sank.I quickly wiped my hands and called out, "And where do you think you are going, young lady?"She played deaf and dumb the first time and continue heading towards the head.My fury multiplied, and without thinking, I yelled out. "Antonia, you heard me where do you think you are going?" She froze in the doorway, turning back with a forced smile. "Yes, Mommy?"I narrowed my eyes. "Don't even dare start now, Antonnia. I asked you a question; it is best if you reply to me rather than playing your usual 'deaf and dumb
Arthur's POVI slammed my fist on the table, frustration boiling inside me. "How could she?" I muttered to myself. I had humbled myself and said please, and still, Julianne refused me. Her rejection stung."How could she refuse me even though with the pleading? Didn't she know it took me a lot of nerve to do so, and she just behaved like some kind of ..." I sighed, palming my face in my arms.I thought I had done everything right. I opened up, showed her my vulnerable side, and begged her to give me a chance, to give me a chance to show her in this merciless being called Arthur, there's still a chance to love someone, to care for them no matter who or what they are. But no, she still said no; she fucking said no to my face and walked off like it meant nothing to her like I did not say it.And what again did she say to Jeremy? "Kindly do me a favor, darling; I know you have a hand in all these silly changes of character in your brother; stop telling him what to do and let him feel rem
Julianne's POVAs soon as I got back to the quarters with Antonnia in my arms, I locked the door and sat her down on the sofa in our room."Antonnia," I barked, my eyes gazing intently at her.She recoiled back in the chair and folded her arms underneath her breast, pouting her little lips in a stubborn fit of rage, her legs crossed as she turned away from me to the window."Don't dare me now, child, answer me when I call you," I said through gritted teeth. "Antonnia," I called again."I'm right here mommy." She replied still folding her hands and looking out of the window."And that is not the way to behave to your mother, turn around and sit properly like a good girl, and look at me when I talk." I ordered.She muttered one of her little silly words and then released her hands and positioned herself facing me but not looking at me; her eyes were on the ground where my feet lay."Why did you go out of the house without telling me? Do you know the panic I felt when I didn't find you,
Julianne's POVI knew that Antonnia left the room in anger because she didn't get the answers to the questions of what we had been discussing for days, even though living in a packed house, it doesn't stop me from teaching my daughter the little I know about our traditions and customs, she supposes that she won't listen, and the makes me wonder how she would learn that of Arthur's and acknowledge the fact she is the heir.I checked the weather outside, it was approaching evening, and she was yet to be back for dinner, which left me worried and wondering what could be wrong. No matter how angry she is, she doesn't stay out so long, but now she has.I grabbed my cotton cardigan and put it on, and then I grabbed my phone and walked out of the room to search for her. I searched the perimeter of our quarters but couldn't find her. It was then realization dawned on me that she was not anywhere close to the quarters. I grabbed my phone and dialed Jeremy's number."Jeremy, Antonia's gone, I d
Arthur's POVI walked out furiously on her and from the quarters with one place on mind to calm down my nerves: my chambers. I shoved the guards aside and banged the door to their hearing. Once inside I slammed my fist into the wall, the sound echoing through my room. Fury coursed through my veins like molten lava. I shifted and hit my body on the wall, and then shifted back to a human, falling in shock from the pain; I stood up slowly and hit my hands on the wall.How could fate do this to me? How could the gods listen to the prayers of a mad woman, someone who is hellbent on spoiling my joy? Why would the gods answer her prayers?So while I was thinking she was preparing for the mating ceremony, I never knew she was praying for the cancellation of the ceremony.I thought of Antonnia, my plans, my future, the life I dreamt of having with her now that she is in my arms but everything shattered because of Julianne.So it was Julianne all this while? She was the disaster and the sudden