Hi, my wonderful readers. It's your author again. This is a story of Iris and Gradel and I hope you dive into the book and savor every chapter. It's filled with drama, suspense and mystery. Please, don't forget to read, comment and vote for it. It will really motivate me to do more. Take care of yourself, guys. Love ya.
Chapter 16Gradel "Did you find her?" I barked amidst my agitation, even my father knew better than to interfere with my ceaseless pacing in his chamber."No, Prince Gradel, but I assure you that our sentinels are presently combing through the woods to find her and they will—" Hegar responded while I sent him a murderous glare. His response further infuriated me, but it wasn't just his baseless reply, it was the confusion that accompanied my reaction towards Iris's escape. My wolf was restless, snarling incessantly so I couldn't relax as well. I should be happy that she had made good use of her brains and ran away to save both of us from the stress of being mates, but my wolf didn't share in the relief."Will they find her the same way they failed to find my bracelet, Hegar?" I snapped. "That woman is alone in the woods where the rogues can feed on her vulnerability and harm her and you're busy trying to assure me that she would be found?" He inclined his head, his shoulders strai
Chapter 17GradelOne minute I was getting ready to find my mate, the next I was in the courtroom, my ass glued to my seat with the other elders, my twin, and my father whose expression was troubled."I told you that lady is a witch. A few hours of escaping and she has already been kidnapped by our worst enemy? Why don't you listen to me, Gradel?" Father yelled at me and banged his fist on the table."If we had ignored the fact that she was his mate and killed her as we planned we won't be in the mess. We aren't even ready for war," Simon, the head sentinel replied angrily before I could respond and fury spiked within me.Blinded by rage, I couldn't tell when I flew across the room and grabbed his neck. He didn't expect my assault so he was unable to defend himself from my endless punches. By the time I was dragged away from him, his face had turned to a puddle of blood."How dare you suggest killing my mate while I'm here?" I roared through my clenched teeth, struggling to break out
Chapter 18IrisI felt lonely again, worse this time because I didn't know what my fate would be. Back in the pack, I knew that I'd be sentenced if the bracelet wasn't found, but here, I didn't know what would be done to me.The door to my room was pushed open and Zera came in with a tray in her hands. Her expression was warmer than it was yesterday which gave me some glints of hope to hold onto."Good afternoon, Zera," I yawned and stretched my limbs.I climbed out of bed to collect the tray from her as I'd been sleeping all day. Thankfully, my hands and legs weren't chained so I could move about freely, except leaving the room."How do you feel?" She asked, sitting beside me."Better, I guess." I uncovered the plate and my mouth watered immediately.The aroma of the chicken soup wafted to my nostrils, causing my stomach to grumble with hunger. The sound was quite embarrassing but I shoved aside the feeling and dug into the food.I was only halfway into the meal when I realized that
Chapter 19IrisIt felt like a bucket of cold water was emptied on our bodies as I slowly regained my senses. "Get on my back," He ordered with a note of urgency in his tone and I hopped on, knowing that I was to be blamed for our predicament. "The ride is going to be rough because I can sense some of our attackers coming closer, and I'll have to shift so hold me tight for your safety.""Yes, Prince Gradel," I replied and wrapped my arms around his neck.I should have been scared that we were ambushed, but being on his back was quite relaxing and it felt good to know that he cared about me against all odds.The work of the mating bond, I guess.He moved stealthily, his pace fluid and steady while he carefully evaded the guards who were drawing close to us.From afar, I saw one of their sentinels on the tower with a quiver on his back, stretching forth an arrow against us, towards him. Blood rushed to my pulse and I patted Prince Gradel's back aggressively."Look!" I urged him, pointi
Chapter 20IrisStanding by the doorway with my attention trained on the unconscious prince, I felt my strength failing me. No one had said anything to me yet, but I knew that there was going to be a series of backlash against me once they finished attending to Prince Gradel.Heavy footsteps traipsed towards the Prince's room, my knees weakening in fear. I quickly hid behind the hallway adjacent to his room where I could hear their conversation without taking the heat directly."How is my son doing?" He barked and I nearly jumped out of my skin.I wasn't sure I would survive it if the Alpha yelled at me in such a manner, after all, he already wanted me to disappear and now I was the reason for his son's injury. "He's not doing so well, Alpha," The healer confessed with little confidence in his voice, I could sense his fear from where I stood. "The wolfsbane is doing so much harm in his system and the only thing preventing him from going to the great beyond is his nature. He has stron
Chapter 21IrisSince I wasn't keen on getting intimate with him, I took a stool and decided to follow my heart. They could do whatever they wanted to me, but I won't go that route, at least, not without Prince Gradel's permission."Hi, Gradel. I'll call you by your first name because we are mates and I have something to ask of you," I took in a deep breath."You've never liked me. Your hatred for me has always been evident just like the sun in the sky, but today, you did something that no one has ever done for me, not even the people I expected it from. While I was away in the Red Sea pack, I thought of how I might never see your handsome face and that scared me to death. My feelings are conflicted right now so it will be unsafe to admit anything, but one thing I'm sure of is that I'll always have you in my heart." I sobbed.My eyes darted to his thumb which jerked and slowly I reached for his hands. This was the only advantage of his unconsciousness. Being able to talk to him and po
Chapter 22GradelHer jaw dropped and she stared at me wide-eyed. Shock masked her beautiful face and her eyes simmered with sympathy for me.Strangely, I liked that she felt my pain, which was weird because I didn't enjoy having other people throw a pity party for my sake, but hers felt different. It felt proper."Oh my! I'm so sorry to hear that, "She gushed. "How were you able to cope?" She asked, pushing closer to me."I didn't try to cope, I just lived with it. There's nothing that can make me forget that night, sometimes the memories hide in the darkest part of my heart only to resurface whenever I think of her." My voice cracked.She sniffed and when I glanced at her, I realized that she was crying. "I'm sorry," She whispered, "I can't help the tears." She said, drying her eyes.I nodded curtly and drifted into the memory lane. "It all started one fateful evening. I'd just returned from the woods where I engaged in a running session with some of the sentinels that were assigned
Chapter 23IrisMy heart ached for him and I began to understand why he despised me so much from the first time he saw me. It was because I reminded him of his pain.The fact that he was telling me his story showed that his resentment for me had been assuaged, but I wasn't sure that it had gone completely so I took what he could give."According to her, the necklace should be given to my brother, and the bracelet to me. She knew that I had eyes on the bracelet, but I didn't know that I'd be getting it from her that soon." He croaked. I didn't know how to console him any more than I'd already done, but I was sure that my presence was making it easier for him to grieve. My heart bled for him when I imagined how long he had to bear the cross alone. "Do you know the worst part?" I shook my head. "He was never there in all of this. My father acted like my mother didn't matter to him and I began to wonder if she was truly his mate. It was so bad that I asked some of the elders and then