Chapter 69Lydia’s POV“Well?” I asked Darwin the minute he stepped out of my office. “What did she say?” The office door opened and Lily stepped out of the office with a sad smile on her face.“I told him we should investigate,” Lily replied.Darwin moved to my side and gently touched my arm. “Okay, are you sure?” I asked Lily softly. Her father is a touchy subject for her. Opening up an investigation would require to constantly be reminded of his existence.“Yeah,” Lily gave a nod and looked at Darwin. “I'm sure. It's the only way for Lady Lyssandra and the rest of the pack members to get off your back. This way we can prove you had nothing to do with his death,”I turned to Darwin “Did you agree with her?” “It's for the best baby,” Darwin whispered as he pressed a kiss on top of my head.“Yes Lydia, his Majesty is right. We've agreed to investigate the case. It'll make everything easier,” I sighed and gave a nod. “Alright. What's next? You still have to tell the council membe
Chapter 70.Lydia’s Pov.“Lorcan?” I whispered in horror and confusion.How could he be here? Where the hell were my guards? How did he even bypass the palace security.“Come on,” Lily tugged at my hand again as I got to my feet.“Darwin!” I called don’t through the mindlink as I tried to figure out where he was.The link between us seemed dimmer somehow, and I just knew he was far away from the palace. Shit.Lily and I hurried into the closet. She shut the door as I paced about the room trying to use my phone to contact Margery or my guards or Darwin or just somebody. “This shit isn’t working!” I hissed in frustration as the signal in my phone kept wavering.“Stop. It won’t work,” Lily whispered in an ominous voice.“How do you know that?” I whispered as I turned to stare at her with new eyes.Lily was pale and even though she’s normally as blind as a bat without her glasses, Lily stood before me without her glasses and she was seeing.“I don’t understand. Lils? Are you okay?” I whi
Chapter 71Lydia’s POVShit! My eyes widened and a small part of my brain set off alarms.I knew I shouldn’t let go or let my shadows consume me, but one look at Lorcan and I lost control.“What are you!” Lorcan yelled.My shadows purred at the fear in his eyes and I smiled as they rose up around me and broke the ropes on my wrists.“Lydia,” Dimitri whispered in shock.That was the last word I heard before I let go.The force of my shadows whipped my hair about and the only thought chanting in my brain was“Cover Lily,” “Cover Lily”I didn’t have so much control over my powers but I painstakingly held my shadows away from where my friend laid unconscious on the floor.Lorcan and his man screamed loudly, their fear and panic fueling my shadows.Wait.There’s one person who’s totally unaffected.In the midst of the darkness, I watched in surprise as Dimitri walked forward towards me.He kept saying something but I couldn’t make out his words. “LYDIA STOP!” Drusilla yelled inside my hea
Lydia’s POV“You need to relax, I can practically see tendrils of smoke wafting from your ears,” Dimitri drawled as he noisily sucked on a grape.I stood pacing and turned to look at him in irritation. “Stop that. The noise isn’t helping,”“Hey! Don’t—“ Dimitri was still talking when my head whipped back to the room door and the hairs on my arm raised.“He’s here,” Drusilla whispered a moment before the bedroom door ripped open and Darwin ran inside with wild eyes.“Are you okay?” Darwin ran straight for me and cupped my face gently.My heart squeezed as I felt his fear and worry as his eyes roamed over me in fear.“Hey,” I whispered as I raised a hand to his cheek.Surprise went through me as Darwin’s eyes glistened and he crushed me to himself.“I.. I couldn’t feel you and, and… I’m so sorry baby. I’m sorry,” he stuttered frantically as his entire frame shook and he tightened his hold on me.“Hey,” I whispered again as I forced myself to take a deep breath and calm down, in hopes t
Chapter 73Lydia’s POVI took in a deep breath and bit my lip worriedly. “Hey,”I turned around to see that Matgery had entered the room and now stood behind me. “Sorry, I didn't hear you come in,” I apologized as I shook my head and ran a hand through my hair.“Its okay, don't apologise,” Margery whispered. “Are you okay? Have you told him?” She looked from me to Dimitri and around the empty room.“He’s in the closet inspecting the damage,”“And how did he take the news?” Margery moved closer to me.“Not well,” I shook my head. “He’s angry?” “I think he’s more hurt than angry,” I replied.Just then, Drusilla howled as Darwin stepped out of the closet and stood behind me.I turned around slowly, dreading to see the look on his face.“Darwin, before you get mad, I think we need to talk about this first,” Margery said in a soothing voice as she stepped out from behind me and walked towards Darwin.“You knew about this too?!” Darwin hissed as his anger and hurt slammed into me.I lo
Chapter 73Lydia’s POVI tightened my hold on her arm and we walked into the meeting room.“How do you feel about this?” I asked Lily softly.“I don't know how to feel,” she responded truthfully, “I mean, in a way, everyone expects me to be sad or to want justice but I just want it to be over. All I want is to forget,”I was about to reply when Lyssandra swept in front of us with a sneer on her face.“Pretty bold of you to waltz in here holding his daughter like you didn't kill Richard,”“She didn't kill him!” Lily snapped at Lyssandra in irritation as we both walked and took a seat among the council members.I tried to catch Darwin’s eyes at the head of the table but he either didn't notice me or ignored me.“Sweet Child. I'm sure betrayal like this must come as a shock to you,” Lyssandra cooed with fake sympathy.“Lady Lyssandra, please refrain from your accusations. We are here to find out the truth so it's entirely unnecessary,” Amari lept to Lily’s defence immediately.“Enough of
Chapter 74Lydia’s pov“Hey,” Lily nudged me slightly “You okay?”I looked up from my phone quickly and gave her a nod.“Yeah, I’m good. I’m going to stay back a bit and talk to Darwin,” “K, I’ll be outside,” Lily adjusted her glasses as Amari held out his arm for her and they both walked out of the meeting room.Sounds of chairs scraping against the floor filled the room as several other council members also got to their feet and exited the room.My heart raced as I stared at Darwin and tried to decipher his emotions from his face. He blocked me out completely and I could barely feel a thing so all I could do was hope.He has forgiven me, right? He has to have. That is the only reason he would make Lyssandra apologize to me.The moment the meeting room door shut behind the last council member, the room suddenly felt very quiet.“Darwin?” I said with a soft smile as I moved my chair back and got to my feet.I observed his face. He just sat there, rock still, with no expression on his
Chapter 76Lydia’s POVMy form wavered and I ducked as Lily threw a knife at me.“I really think you should do something about Keren,” Lily complained as she threw another knife.I tried to phase out but my form flickered and the knife grazed me. “Ow!” I hissed as I slapped a hand over the line on my arm that had already tinged red.“Focus,” Margery growled as I materialised fully and she whacked me with a stick.“Ow!” I hissed and jerked back. “How can i focus when Lily keeps—-,”I paused to dodge another poorly aimed knife from Lily.“Keeps launching knifes at me!” I groaned as I tried to take control of my magic.“We both know, if I had aim half as good as you, I would have hit you by now,” Lily chuckled as she jumped down from the branch she had been dangling on and adjusted her skirt.“Something’s wrong. I mean, you don’t exactly ace your training sessions but you’re extra terrible today,”My brows shot up as I glanced at Marg in disbelief.“No offense,” Lily chuckled as she ben
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