Chapter 41Lydia’s POV“Promise me you’ll never do something that reckless again?” Darwin’s voice shook from the other end of the phone.My fingers tightened around the phone “I promise,”“Okay, I won’t punish your guards,” Darwin said reluctantly as a bright feeling swelled in my chest.Drusilla purred and I shook my head at her silliness.“Alright, I have to go back in the room now. Byeee,”“Bye Lydia,” Darwin whispered as I ended the call and took in a deep breath.When I opened the bathroom door, from the expression on their faces, it was obvious that both Margery and my guards had used their hearing to listen in on my conversation with Darwin.“Why did I even bother going in the bathroom?” I shook my head with a chuckle as Margery’s cheeks tinged pink.“Thank you Miss. We’re really grateful,” I stood in surprise as Alexei and his two partners bowed before me.“Really, there’s no need for all this fuss,” Margery protested.I ignored her and walked closer to the guards with their
Chapter 42Lydia’s POVMy entire book shook as I crashed to my feet and Amari rushed into the room beside me.His wolf let out a mournful howl as he gathered Lily’s battered body into his arms.Blood leaked from several slash wounds on her body, soaking the wooden floor and leaving a tangy iron smell behind.I gagged in horror as Amari lifted her from the floor and I saw lash marks on her body. Her skin wasn’t healing, she had been whipped with wolfsbane.“She thinks she’s so special cause her silly friend wants to be queen. I’ve shown her her place now.See—-and she’s powerless to stop me,” Drusilla tore out of me with a roar at the snotty voice behind me and I leaped on Lily’s father.Anger blinded me as we both went crashing to the floor and struck a blow with my paw across his face.I watched in satisfaction as a red welt formed along with drips of blood where my claws had scratched him.But it wasn’t good enough. No punishment was good enough for the monster who did this to Lily
Lydia’s POV“Lydia? Are you okay?” Caroline asked with concern in her voice.“Fine,” I mumbled in irritation as I walked away from the infirmary and stood by the wall to read the message privately.STOP THE KING FROM MAKING THE ELIXIR.I rolled my eyes. Same old message I had decided to ignore.My fingers scrolled up and I read the rest of the message.ALL INFIRMARY RECORDS ARE SENT TO THE KING.My eyes widened and I let out an involuntary gasp.What if my blood results confirm that I’m fae? I don’t want Darwin knowing about any supernatural roots I might have.I can’t risk him not making me queen. I have to go back to the infirmary.I pocketed my phone and walked out of the infirmary with shaky legs.No way will I let Darwin get a whiff of my results.I walked as fast as I could, immersed in my thoughts until I bumped into somebody.I let out a hiss and rubbed my elbow in irritation.“Can you really not see—-“ My rant trailed off as I looked into Margery’s displeased face.“It is rath
Chapter 44Lydia’s POVMy eyes widened in shock and I jerked back from her touch as fear went through me.“Oh come on Lydia, what did you think? That I wouldn’t notice you ran all the way from the palace to the Kingdom infirmary? And now you attacked a man but he won’t heal?”“No. You’re wrong,” I shook my head as my knees went weak.I shot out my hand and held unto the wall to keep myself upright.“Am I?” Margery sneered as she walked closer to me.“Listen here girl!” Her hand reached out to my chin and pulled my head up.“I don’t know what you did to Richard but you better pray he heals before Darwin gets back. I might have tried to help you but no sense in helping a weakling,” Margery let go of my chin in disgust and turned around to walk out of the room.Did she just call Darwin by his name?“Marge! Wait!” I called out as I took in a shaky breath.“What?” She paused as she stood with her back to me.“I I don’t think I’m fae,” I whispered.“That’s what you were doing at the infirm
Chapter 45Lydia’s Pov“Wait hold up hold up,” I raised my hand to Ilene Margery and shook my head in confusion.“Now I’m really confused. Darwin is your brother and your mate is FAE?!!”“Who’s your mate?” “Why haven’t I seen him around and why does that affect your ability to use your title as a princess?”Margery sighed and resumed walking down the hallway.“Wait! I need answers,” I called out as I hurriedly walked after her.“Here,” she said as she came to an abrupt stop in front of two portraits.“King Kendrick and Queen Eloise,” Margery whispered as she raised her hands to the portrait on the wall and trailed it lightly with her fingers.I looked up at the painting of the man and woman staring into each others eyes with love.It was a nice picture but unremarkable.“Margery, I need answers. You can’t keep introducing me to past royalty without proper explanations,” I complained.“What do you see?” Margery glanced at me with a sad smile on her lip.“I really don’t understand what-
Lydia’s POVKeren’s face paled and she glanced behind her in fear.“I don’t know what you’re talking about,”“Keren,” I pleaded as I moved closer to her.“It’s a trade. You help me and I’ll help you,”“What do you even have to trade? I don’t want to get into any trouble with the king,” she folded her arms and shook her head but I could feel her resolve weakening.“If this works out and you teach me the procedure properly, I’ll be Queen and I’ll give you whatever you want,” I promised.Her brow shot up and she looked at me in mild surprise.“Is this to be queen? You’re already mated to his majesty. You were going to be queen but your wedding was attacked,” She shook her head softly “You don’t need to do all this. He’ll make you queen,”She doesn’t understand. No one does.“Just help me,” I pleaded. “All I need is the specific procedure. That’s all, nothing would be attached to your name,” “I’ll think about it,” Keren replied as she walked out of the alcove, leaving me behind.It was l
I coughed as my hands trembled and I blinked open my eyes softly.The whole room was smoky and as I licked my lips, I could taste the slightly powdery feeling of ash.“Wow… “ Keren paused to cough as she waved her hand in front of her face to clear the air.“That’s a bigger explosion than we ever dealt,”“Did it work? Did it work?” Lily’s eager voice came from the phone.I shook my head to clear the slight ringing in my ears and looked into the bowl.Where the bloody mixture had been, was a clear silvery liquid.“I don’t know,” I whispered as I shook my head. “I’ve never seen the elixir up close before,”“Lemme see,” Keren walked closer to me and peered I to the bowl.“Well?” I bit my lip and shuffled from feet to feet. The bowl still felt hot in my hands but it didn’t burn.“We never made anything like that,” Keren said quietly.“You did it,” Lily chuckled in disbelief “You’re going to be queen!”Keren looked from the iPad to me in confusion and delight. “Okay?…”“The bottle. Get the
Chapter 48Lydia’s POVI took in a shaky breath, no that’s not true. I absolutely do not feel a single thing for this overgrown psychotic man. Yes he might be sweet but I only need him for one thing. To be queen.“I was so scared and so worried,” Darwin whispered and my skin tingled as I felt the traces of his lips on my shoulder.I slowly turned around, rested my hand on his arm and looked up at him shyly.Can he tell what I’m thinking? Is it terribly obvious I’ve fallen for him? I took in a sharp breath as Darwin’s eyes darkened and he raked them over my form.His gaze set goosebumps along my skin and I had to tighten my hold on his arm to hold myself upright.“You look…,” Darwin blinked and started again “You look—““Utterly delectable? Like a good little servant you’ve decided to forgive?” I joked around, trying to lighten the mood in the room and hoping he wouldn’t notice my nervousness.“…Beautiful. You’re breathtaking and you look beautiful,” Darwin corrected in a soft voice.
Epilogue “Lydia! Hurry!” Lily waddled to my side with her hand on her stomach. She paused and stared at the scene before her with a smile on her face. “Just how many people are walking you down the aisle?” I chuckled and looked from Vren to Serena and Freya “Well you can’t fault me for having three people to walk me. Besides this is my third wedding,” Everyone chuckled and Lily rolled her eyes. “Enough of all this. Everyone in the hall now! Before Margery comes and here and catches this scene,” “Sorry guys,” I laughed as the palace guards opened the hall doors and they shuffled away in a file. “Not you Vren,” Lily called out at the last minute. “ I mean, your highness? What am I supposed to address you as?” Lily bowed with a chuckle. “Nonsense. That’s not necessary, especially in your condition,” Vren shook his head, making me smile. In the last four months I spent in Thoranelle learning the ropes, we had grown incredibly closer. Yes, you read that right. Vren stepped down f
My vision blurred with tears and I made to run to him when Lyssandra stepped in front of me and shook her head.“Uh-huh,” she chuckled. “If you belong to me now, you cannot go running to them at the slightest provocation,”A humorless chuckle left me as my tears spilled down my cheeks. She had been married to and mates to this man. How could she be so heartless?“Then call them off. Call of your guard dogs,” I whispered pleadingly.“Of course,” she purred and snapped her fingers.Like as though we were in some sort of trance, the entire palace went silent.The only sound was Margery’s soft groaning from where she lay on the floor.My eyes found Darwin and relief rushed through me as I saw he was still standing but he was losing blood and fast.I tried to move to him but the hall swam before my eyes and I paused.Lyssandra chuckled and picked up the bloodied knife from the floor.“You belong to me now,” she smirked as she lifted the knife to my throat.I swallowed. This is it, she’s fi
Chapter 113A still calm seemed to come over me as I moved back from Lily and staggered to my feet.Blood was still flowing from the wound in my hand. My legs shook as I stared at Margery on the floor.She had her hand on her stomach where blood was pooling fast.Her lips were white as she groaned softly.Vren was here. What? How?My shock was replaced by fear as Vren screamed in pain and crashed to the floor beside Margery.All around me, the people I loved were hurt and in pain because of this woman.Drusilla growled in anger and my entire frame trembled badly. I knew she wanted to shift and take over and I wanted to let her. So badly.But Margery needed my help, I moved to Margery’s side as quickly as I could and pressed my dripping palm to her lips.“W what?-“ Vren raised his crazed eyes to me but I didn’t have time for that.I couldn’t focus, not when this woman had control of all the pack members.My head swiveled, searching for Lyssandra and where Darwin had gone.“Shit!” Amari
Chapter 112Lydia’s POVI staggered out of the lab, my leg aching a bit, where I had repeatedly hit it against the door to force it open.From the hallway, I could hear sounds and what seemed to be screams. What the hell was happening?!Fear rushed through me and I flew down the hallway at lightning speed.“Lydia?!” Dimitri called my name a second before I went crashing into him.He held me from falling “What happened?! Where were you?! I thought you were on the aisle then next thing—““You thought I was on the aisle?! They were two brides?!” Shit! Lyssandra planned to pose as me.“Yeah and—“I paused Dimitri and listened in fear again as more loud shouts carried over to me. They seemed to be intensifying.“What the hell is going on?!” It sounded like protests Dimitri and I broke into a run as pack members began to flood into the palace.“Shit!” I swore under my breath.“Your majesty, over here!” Alexander and my guards covered Dimitri and me as the pack members yelled.The sounds o
The Wedding.“And you're certain this plan will work?!” Dimitri asked for the hundredth time.“Shut up and get out of my head,” I hissed impatiently. “We don’t have a choice. It's too late to make adjustments. We just have to carry on and hope for the best,”A knock sounded at my bedroom door, I got to my feet slowly and turned around as the door opened and Margery filed in with a team of beauty professionals.“Good morning Your Majesty,” she chirped happily and clapped her hands. “It’s time for your wedding!”Her good mood was infectious and my lips tugged up in a smile too.“Morning Marge,” I smiled.“Your Majesty,” A worker passed me a cup of tea.“Thank you,” I took it and blew gently on the steam.“Okay, everyone let’s get to work,”I took my seat as they began. Within the next two hours, they worked on my nails, styled my hair, did my makeup, and helped meInto my dress.“You have impeccable taste,” I smiled at Margery and patted my hand down my white lacy dress.“I can’t decid
Chapter 110I burst into laughter, clutching my stomach as I finally sobered up.I looked from Wilson to Freya to Margery but they had straight faces.“Wait,” I sobered you and looked at them incredulously “You’re serious?!”Freya rolled her eyes and turned around to face the mirror. She uncapped a lipstick and began to scrawl on it.“Look, we've approached it from several different scenarios. I know Lyssie. She would never tell us how to break the enchantment so that’s out of it,” she drew a red X on one part of the mirror.“We can’t kidnap or hold her in some cell. Dad and I tried, we released the news she was dead and kept her incapacitated for years.She found a way to make him go crazy so he bought her the elixir,” She drew another X“She definitely won’t be repenting and turning a new leaf anytime soon, and she has started manipulating the pack members,” She drew an X with a sigh.“Manipulating the pack?” I looked at Margery. “What is she talking about,”“His Majesty requested w
Chapter 109“Thank you, Alpha for having us. Our stay at Silver Streak was memorable,”I smiled at Serena softly. Her eyes watered and to the shock of everyone around she enveloped me in a hug. I froze for a beat then gently brought my hand up to enclose her.“Thank you, Lydia. I hope everything goes well. If you need help, call me and I’ll definitely be showing up for your wedding,” Serena whispered as she stepped back with a small smile.She turned to Dimitri and I didn’t fail to notice the look that passed between the two of them.“Lycan,” Serena bowed. “Alpha,” Dimitri repeated her motion with a chuckle. I rolled my eyes in amusement, he’s never serious.“Momma!” My eyes went straight to the beautiful silver haired little girl coming our way. Anastasia held on to her hand but she was bustling full of energy and ready to bolt towards us.Of their own accord, my feet carried me a few steps toward her until we stopped before each other.“Your Majesty” she chirped and gave a cute
Chapter 108I sat beside Claire, my hand on the little heart who stole my heart with one grey eyed glance.“She’ll be fine. She’s a fighter,” Serena gave me a hopeful nod and wiped Claire’s brow with a towel.“What happened?” I voiced the question that had been eating at me since I first saw her sick frame.Serena sighed and sat up fully to look at me. “A fall,”“Pardon?” I was horrified. Just look at her, she’s tiny, how could she have fallen and just where did she fall from?“Yeah,” Serena chuckled humorlessly “My reaction exactly. She was four, a few days before her fifth birthday. She said to me— Momma can I play in the garden with Papa. I said yes,”A small gasp left me. Since she was four. That was two years ago.“They played on the trees and he left. Dave left my little girl up there alone. She fell and has been sick ever since,”Horror and blind anger rushed through me.“Oh I know,” Serena read my face and shook her head. “I wanted to crush him with my bare hands. I was so blo
Chapter 107I staggered back a bit in shock.“Your Majesty,” The servant girl dropped the bowl of water on Serena’s lap and I watched as Serena put the towel in the water, wrung it, and gently sapped her daughter’s head.Slowly, my feet carried me towards the little girl. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was even. I placed my palm on her head to feel her temperature and her eyes snapped open.“Claire?!” Serena whispered in excitement. She dropped the towel and held her daughter's hand tightly. “Claire baby,”The workers in the room began to murmur in excitement and I even saw a maid hurry off, presumably to call a doctor or nurse.Claire had her eyes open but she wasn’t staring at her mother. The baby girl was staring straight at me. I blinked in surprise.She could see me? I gave her a shaky smile and waved at her. Her eyes lit up a little and her lips moved.She mouthed two words. “Save me,” Then she closed her eyes.Her mother clearly heard her. My heart broke as Serena’s ey