URSULA'S POVIt was midnight, and I couldn't sleep. Andrew was supposed to come to my room tonight for us to talk. The two times we had sex, I could swear on my most valuable jewelry that it was a mistake. Now it was kind of weird that recently I'd not been able to sleep without him. A knock sounded at my door making me jerk."Who is it?""It's me." Arthur's voice rang through the other side of the door. My heart dropped to my stomach. "Um... Come in." Arthur entered the room and smiled at me. What was happening?"Hi. How are you doing?""I'm doing fine, you?""Great, great. I just wanted to see how you were doing.""You saw me today, Arthur. Is there a problem?" My voice was trembling and I was trying to hide it. I was doing a bad job."I know, I just wanted to apologize for... Recently I've been a little bit intense.""It's okay, everything has been intense, with Elsa and the Conbraids and the rogues and all.""Well... I'm glad you understand. You usually don't, so I'm glad you und
ELSA'S POVThe room was quiet for a while, then Arthur came to stand beside me in front of the fridge. He stared at the wasted carton then at me, his gaze questioning and apologizing."I'm sorry for scaring you and making you drop the milk you craved. Feel free to get another one from the fridge, there's plenty.""I was just about to do that. Thank you." I grabbed another carton and then walked a short distance to the cabinet to get a glass. I felt his gaze on me but made no move to comment on it."You like milk, huh?" He said, making me freeze, then forcefully urged me off that state. I didn't want to give him any reason to be suspicious. Everything was still in the planning phase, and until I had everything figured out and on the move, I was going t
NIA'S POVI carefully scrutinized my dresser for the best workout dress to wear. If I wanted to get a good result today, I needed to look my best. Cute was the word. I quickly had cereals, munching as fast as I could through every grain that had me stuck in one long chew. It was like I was a schoolgirl trying to impress her crush."Slow down, or you'll bite your tongue or worse, choke," Elsa said from beside me at the dining table. While I had settled for sky blue, she had decided to go with baby pink.""I don't want to be late on the first day of training, I want to be punctual and impress the shit out of the Conbraids.""Any particular Conbraid in mind?" Elsa asked a sly smile on her face.
ARTHUR'S POVI had never been a fan of events, but just as Edgar said, I had a very special kind of dread and hatred for 'The Pick'. Everyone would be so expectant, leaving you hanging and angry and lost. I had another choice of words. It was easier when I had to choose Nia. She stepped inside that hall and I knew I was going to go with her. Now, I was beyond tired of picking wives. I was already facing problems with the ones I had already."Can't we just shift the date for it? I have been so busy already with the Conbraids, and the people.""We have pushed it for two years, I don't think it'll be wise for us to do anything of the sort or the people will start questioning your abilities as a man." Edgar's voice raised, accusation filled. If not that I had been warned severel
ELSA'S POV"What about your parents?" Elton asked and my heart thudded. Was he aware of who I was? Why would he ask of my parents if he didn't? I tried to look ok cool and collected, even though I felt nothing like that at this moment."What about them?" I asked, playing dumb. Hoping he was buying it."How are they doing?""Um... Why... Why do you want to know?" I asked, hearing the accusation in my tone. I didn't mean to get defensive but I saw no reason why he would be interested to know about my parents out of the blue."Well, I just shared a story you thought was pretty impressive of my family, I think it's only fair that you do the same. If it makes yo
ELSA'S POVSalad. It was like there was a spell attached to it. Anytime we had salad for dinner it always turned out to be awkward. The Conbraids had joined us that evening and even before we were served, nobody said a word. Just exchanged looks. Arthur was staring at me intently like there was something at the tip of his tongue, I didn't look back at him, it would bring attention to us, and just like he had commanded, it was better to keep what was going on between us, whatever it was a secret. Besides, I liked the idea because it wouldn't make things as difficult as it has to be when it was time for me to run. Nia and Silas on the other hand, sat beside each other as always. Ursula sat beside Arthur, Andrew was by my left, and Elton, my right."So we are going to be hosting 'the pick' ceremony. I'm sure you have all heard abo
NIA'S POVI knocked on Elsa's door, hoping she was back already after all it was a bit late. I stayed there, waiting for a reply which I didn't get. Just as I was about to knock again, Elsa called out from behind me."Hey, stranger. What are you still doing awake by this time of the day?" She asked walking towards her door in what I would call a happy way."Why are you not in your room, on top of your bed sleeping by this time of the day?""I was with someone. Elton. We lost track of time. Don't be angry or irritated if I burp about eight times tonight, we had some tacos. Probably the best I have ever tasted.""Well, you sound like you had yourself some fun.""It's because I did. I never knew food carts were this influential with food." She unlocked her room, and we both entered inside."Well thank God one of us had fun, it's good to know.""Maybe next time the both of us could go, you should know that the guards do not give breathing space in the name of protection, it is so annoying
ELSA'S POVWhen I got to the field, everyone was already training. Silas took the lead as usual, and Nia beat herself partially with her training stick as usual. I laid my bag on the ground and raised it to the training stand. I couldn't get any sleep last night and when I finally did get some sleep, I overindulged. I could feel Elton's eyes on me the whole time but I decided to not look. He had to know that something was wrong because he didn't come to say 'hi', which, believe it or not, made things easier on my path. I liked Elton as a person which was a bit funny because I met him a day ago and I hardly clicked with someone on the day I met them, but his was different.Just as I was about to turn the spin in the air just like everyone was doing I felt myself stagger. My eyes felt heavy, but I kept on training. I staggered ag
ELSA'S POVBy the time it was evening, I was sickly tired waiting for Arthur to show up. He had boldly asked me not to come, that I should enjoy my day but if I was honest, I swear that I had done anything but enjoy today. Be anxious? sure. Get mad? Definitely. Shiver? Hmm-mm. Get happy a tad? Sure again. I had rocked and rocked and rocked, getting so tired of waiting that evening. I was about to go west my fancy jacket and go have this uncertain conversation with him that is scary with him when the door knob turned and I froze. Arthur came in and to my pleasure and displeasure, he wore a giant smile on his face probably happy that he could finally see me, honestly after my mini-investigation in the semi-afternoon, I was not so sure anymore."Hey, well... Aren't you a sight for sore eyes. A kiss?" He asked, walking towards me in such a hurry, you might mistake me for the breath of life. He looked so good and I knew I could get easily distracted by that but I chose not to. I rose a han
ELSA'S POVOur wedding night had not been what I thought it was going to be. It was everything I imagined and more and the fact that I did not get any sleep was pleasing instead of stressful. When I opened my eyes the next morning, I could not find Arthur, I sat up, rubbing my eyes from the pleasing exhaustion at the same time. I looked around and if I was being honest just as I felt different, in a good way, the room looked different too. So different and good too. I flashed a smile to myself as I thought that of course it would look different because I was not in my room, I was in Arthur's room or if I was being accurate, I would say my room. I got up from the bed and walked swiftly to the mirror, naked. I looked at myself in the mirror and not only did I feel different, I looked different. There were hickeys on my neck and ear, it was certainly an interesting look. I wore the robe I found on Arthur's side of the bed, which was made and a white card that had little hearts on it. I
ELSA'S POVThe big wedding was in motion. I mean the planning was in motion but it was the same thing. Most people were so surprised when Arthur gave the announcement that day. Shocked to the brim and beyond while some smiled and nodded their approval. The rest just glared at me as though they would have loved to stab me with a knife if it was allowed. Shreds. And I did not even blame them, I was still surprised myself. I was so excited just as I was anxious. I still had a baby growing in me and I did not know the father and I was freaking out. I could scratch my own eyes out. Just as the wedding planning was in set, so was my running away planning. I needed to flee with my head still intact."What are doing in here staring at the wall?" I turned and saw Nia standing at the door with an amused look on her face. I flashed her a smile and shook my head slowly, thinking of what to say. "Arthur has been smiling since yesterday, I am so surprised that his jaw is not been hurting yet." She
ELSA'S POVI had no idea that there was a cabin back here. When Emily directed me here it was like she had been blabbing. I had walked this whole place and this was the first time I was seeing this place. I guess the structure of the house was weird. I stood in front of the 'invisible' cabin and searched for the most important words at that moment. I knew the words I wanted to say were that I loved him so much, that l was willing to put away the paralysis of fear that held me down, and that I wanted to be his wife. That I was going to be his wife. That was the most important one. I took three bold and quiet steps up the small stair that had its wood painted red. Nice.My stomach rumbled in fear and my heart thudded against my chest. I raised my hands to knock and surprisingly on the first attempt it landed on the door with a very faint thud, produ
NIA'S POV"I wanted it to be a surprise for you. But I just needed something to give me an edge and make you listen to me. I love you and if staying here will make you believe it then I'm staying here and I'm not leaving. But that depends on what you think of it all. I need to be sure that you are comfortable with it. I don't want to shove anything down your throat and force you to want this just because I do. Do you understand?" He asked and I nodded. A big smile on my face."Woah. I love how you put things and I love that you are doing this for me. You have no idea how much it means to me, Silas. I have never been in love and most importantly I have never had someone love me to the extent of wanting to make a big change as big as what you just announced to make me happy. And I love you too. So much." I said and he closed his eyes for a moment, s
NIA'S POVThere he was. Silas, sat at the edge of the large rock everyone seemed to like. I smiled lightly at the cliche of happy things. I had searched everywhere for him, now that I think about it, why did I not search for him here before going to their tent area? Silly of me.I walked further into the space and I saw a striking blonde woman, who if I was being honest, I had nothing on. Why was Silas talking to this woman out here in the love garden? And why was I suddenly comparing this woman whom I did not know to myself? Insecurities were never a friend. Silas turned to look at them and immediately stood up, putting a clever distance between the both of them as if they were close. They were not. So why was he tripping?"Hey! Um... Hi." He said, grasping for words to say. I gave him a tight-lipped smile and nodded to tell him that I had heard the first greeting and he did not need to repeat it."Hi, if you have a company that would stay long then maybe I should come back, I was th
URSULA'S POV"Woah, mum. You are not selling my sister and definitely not the same man you sold me off to. I will not let that happen. If you need the money do bad and Dad can't control his silly problem and you love him so much, why don't you just go get married to Arthur yourself." I said they both gasped. Okay even though I was angry at that moment I had to admit it was nice to actually get a reaction from my father. He was such a doll sometimes. But apparently, he was not when he was being irresponsible with his money, ordering the servants and selling off his children."You dashed everything I once wanted for myself a few years ago and I am not going to let you do that to Sasha too. You do not even ask us what we want, or what we need. You just know that you have to get your money up and running. Did you ask her what she wanted?" I asked and my mother gestured behind me."She's right behind you and you can use your ears to hear that she was okay with it." I turned around and saw
URSULA'S POVWe all just sat there, no words being said. I guess maybe we were all basking in the memory we had spent in the house. I could not just let the house sell, it was unacceptable, that was where I had my first steps, and said my first words. I opened my mouth, then closed it again. Convinced that even if words were going to come out it was going to be all memories and not help anybody in the current situation we were in. A question finally came out."Um... So how did this happen and why was I not informed sooner?" I finally asked, tired. My family had no perks, only disadvantages. It was maddening and annoying."Well, we thought we could fix it on our own and still think we can fix it, we just need time and six days is no time." My mother said, looking over her shoulders at my father who still had his back on the chair. I wondered how he was still calm enough after all this bad news, it was his farm and he had a lot of land to use. I mean I would not go hungry, cannot. I was
URSULA'S POVThe smile that was on my face when I saw that Nia and Gloria were talking was very big. I wore a big smile on my face because that was enough proof to know that the story I had given her had worked. I wanted this meeting to have a very successful outcome and I knew that could not happen if the two key people involved could not deal with each other, it would not be a success. It would be a big disaster and I did not want that.Now that that seemed settled, I looked around, my eyes searching for Andrew. It was a dreaded day for Arthur, for everyone, but I bet he was with him. The event had already begun and the both of them were still not seen so I could bet that some pep talks were being carried out. There were a lot of faces here, a lot of young faces eager to be the lycan king's wife if only they knew that it was no fairytale but rather it was a nightmare I would bet my ass that they would not be here right now with big smiles on their faces. My eyes caught what seemed t