Chapter 9Lydia’s POVI stumbled in shock and would have planted my face on the cold tiles had King Darwin not reached out and immediately steadied me.“What the HELL are you doing here!" I hissed in irritation as my heart thundered, both from the shock at seeing him and the feeling of his hand around my waist.I swallowed audibly as a slight fear went through me at the thought of triggering his psychosis again.“Your majesty?” I asked weakly as a show of respect. But even to my ears, it sounded fake.“Darwin. Always Darwin, only to you,” He whispered, his voice sending tingles straight between my legs as I suddenly got very self-conscious about being in a towel.“Um, you can let me go now. And you didn’t answer my question,” I replied as a blush darkened my cheeks and I pulled back from his hold.He let me go with an amused smile and pushed his hands into his pockets.“This is my room, Lydia,”I blinked in surprise and briefly stared around to confirm I hadn’t walked into the wrong r
Chapter 10I jolted back in shock.“Sorry!” I squeaked in fear.“Lydia?” He asked in surprise as his grip on my wrist slackened and he put on the bedside lamp.“I thought it was someone else. What are you doing, creeping about this night?!” He asked, confused, as my cheeks burned and my brain raced to find some sort of excuse.“I I just wanted to look at your laptop. I can’t sleep, so I wanted to video call Lily,” I sputtered.My heart was beating fast with the thought that he would know I was lying, but to my surprise, he just groaned groggily.“Lydia, you should have woken me up if you couldn’t sleep. You can’t use my laptop for video calls with your friend. It’s for official business." His husky, sleepy voice sent tingles through me, and I swallowed as I searched my brain for something to say.“I’ll get you new gadgets tomorrow, okay? Do you need some milk so you can sleep?” He asked as concern steeped in his voice."Um, no,” I said hurriedly. I only got away with it because he wa
Chapter 11 Lydia’s POV. “Is this the hallway that leads to the princess’s rooms?” I asked the grumpy-looking guard in front of me. “Yes, my lady. But-” His face paled in shock as he stared at my state of undress. “Thank you,” I replied as I swiftly continued down the hallway. The guard tried to call something after me, but I was moving too fast I didn’t hear anything he had to say. Even if I was walking normally, chances are I wouldn’t have heard him anyway. Not when anger and panic clouded my mind. I arrived at the end of the hallway and skidded to a stop when I realized there were two doors. “What do you think my love?” Wilson’s voice drafted from the door on the right. “You look amazing. The black goes perfectly with the wedding theme,” Lydia’s shrill voice responded. With shaky angry hands, I pushed open their door and barged into the room. Wilson and Freya were hugging tightly and broke apart frazzled as I stared at them. Freya seemed normal enough but my eyes narrow
Chapter 12 Lydia’s Pov. I trembled as Darwin left the midst of the workers and stalked over to me. What will he do first? Torture me? Kill Wilson? I was frozen with fear and badly wished to escape but Darwin caught up to me first. I winced as I shut my eyes tightly and waited for the slap that was sure to come. “Are you okay? Is everything alright?” Darwin asked panicked. I blinked my eyes open and stared at him in surprise as he cupped my face with his palm gently. So he hasn’t discovered my secret! “Yeah, yeah I’m fine,” I breathed in relief. “So you just decided to walk about in a bathrobe?” He asked me teasingly as he shrugged his coat off and wore it across my shoulders. My thoughts were disoriented and I was about to reply when one of the workers, hurriedly came towards us and broke my little bubble with Darwin. “Sorry to interrupt you, your Majesty. I need to confirm that the main theme colors are black and gold, per the future queen’s preferences. Are we going with g
Chapter 13Lydia’s POV“What do you mean? Everything’s so nice, and you look breathtaking, Lydia. So what’s the problem?” She asked confused.I shook my head with a sigh.“I don’t know, but my wolf, Drusilla, is uneasy. And she loves Darwin, so I can’t figure out why." Just as I replied, the orchestra started playing a violin rendition of Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud, and a bright spotlight shone on me, signaling the beginning of the wedding walk.With jitters in my stomach and a reassuring squeeze from Lily, I began to carefully descend the staircase.“I’m sure it’s nothing. Just smile and enjoy the moment,” Lily replied softly as Katrina caught wind of our conversation and shot me a concerned look.I gave her a nod and plastered the brightest smile I could on my face.As I got to the base of the stairs, Lily handed me over to Darwin, and he gently led me before the pack elder, who was officiating the ceremony.“Everyone rise! We are gathered here to witness the joining ceremony be
Chapter 14 Darwin’s POV “WHERE THE HELL IS LORCAN!” I snarled angrily at the stupid rogue tied down in a chair before me. “He’ll take the throne! Lorcan is the real rogue king! We’ll never agree to be… brughhhhh” The rogue groaned as I slammed my fist into his face. Bastard! Does he have a death wish?! “You will answer the king when he asks you questions!” Parker growled brutally as he grabbed the back of the rogue’s head and slammed it down onto the table before us. Good. The satisfying crunch of the rogue’s nose filled the air as the coward began to cry and shake. “I asked you before and I’ll ask you again. Where is the mastermind behind your paltry attack? Where is Lorcan!” I picked one of my wolfsbane-coated knives from the table and slowly carved a line in his hands as he screamed. “DARWIN?!” Lydia’s shocked voice carried over to me and I froze. No! I didn’t want her to see this depraved side of me. I whipped my head around swiftly in time to see her push past the dunge
Chapter 15Lydia’s POVI pressed my palms against my too-hot cheeks and paced outside the bathroom door.“Are you sure you’re okay in there?!”I cringed the moment it touched my lips; it sounded like I was expecting an invitation to join him, and I heard Darwin chuckle from inside.“Lydia I’m taking a bath. I promise I’m fine,” he replied as I shook my head to clear Drusilla’s thoughts.Of course he’s fine! His wolf must have healed him by now. And yet, I can’t help the worry that takes over me at the slightest thought of him being hurt.“Okay! I’ll just…” I trailed off, unsure of what to say, as I turned awkwardly and walked back to the bed.Darwin said something in reply that sounded suspiciously like he was laughing, but I ignored him and proceeded to change the bedsheets. Just because it’s something to do and I like the feel of crispy, clean sheets against my skin.My skin prickled uncomfortably at the thought that I was alone in the room, and it was the perfect time to snoop agai
Chapter 16Lydias POVWilson gasped and launched me away from him so quickly that I stumbled.Had he gone mad?!"Wilson, what-” I hissed in annoyance.“I’m sorry, my king. I tried to stop her; she just wouldn’t stop,” Wilson pleaded cowardly with Darwin as he ignored me and turned to face Darwin, who had walked up to us.My eyes widened at his insinuation, but I slapped his arm lightly with a chuckle, trying to play it off as a joke.Don’t be ridiculous, Wil. There’s no need to joke around like that."“We were just having a conversation. With everything that happened today, he just wanted to make sure I was alright,” I said brightly in hopes that Darwin would buy my bullshit, but his eyes narrowed like he could see through my lies, and I squirmed uncomfortably.“My king, she-” Wilson started to speak again, but Darwin cut him off.“WHY WAS LYDIA CRYING?” He truly looked livid, and with a start, I realized he wasn’t angry at finding me with Wilson but was angry at the tear tracks on my
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