Anna's POV Not knowing what to do, I continued staring at the door, trying to compose myself before he walked in but it was impossible. Rubbing my sweaty palm against my dress, I tried to rise but Lilian held me back. “My lady, you don't need to bother yourself, I will attend to the door.” She said, flashing a warm smile at me which I managed to return despite my panicking state. Moments later, standing right in front of me and the middle of the room was Beta Jacob. The kind of relief that washed through me on discovering he was the person on the other end and not Alpha Jasper, as I initially thought, couldn't be explained. “My lady,” he called with a curt bow and I did the same. “The alpha requests your presence in the dining room for dinner.” He said and after a few seconds, added, “I'll be on my way now.” Left alone with Lilian, a large scowl made its way to my face as I balled my palm into a fist. The last thing I wanted to do was step out of my chambers for the time be
Maya's POV Crestwolf Pack. The howling of wolves in the nearby woods took my sleep away and for the greater part of the night, my eyes were wide open. It was in the early hours of the morning that I managed to get some sleep only to wake up a few hours later. Swinging my feet off the bed, I headed to the bathroom and, aft, er, clean up dec, decided to go see Anna. Without knocking, I pushed the door open only to be greeted with an empty room. I had wanted to start worrying when it dawned on me that Anna was no longer here. “Ugh!” I sighed, cranking my neck. “I hope I don't repeat this mistake tomorrow,” I muttered as I pulled my feet towards the kitchen. Checking up on Anna and engaging her in a conversation when she wasn't here had been a recurring practice each day, showing how much I had missed her. Never for once had I thought her absence was going to affect me this way. Rubbing my neck, I said to myself, “I will pull through this.” Getting to the kitchen
Anna's POV Fully aware that no matter how much I showed my obstinate side, Alpha Jasper wouldn't be moved, I had no choice but to drink from the herb the maid had brought in. Just like the one I took back at Maya's home, it was tasteless and immediately, my taste buds began to itch. “I told you it's potent.” Alpha Jasper said, making me leave my hand mid-air as I stared back at him. Because of the fierce appetite I had after taking the herbs, I had thrown caution into the wind and I was gobbling my food like someone was after my life. Embarrassed, I wiped my mouth clean and then began to chew the food in my mouth. I made sure I swallowed every single thing before I shoved the next spoon in. At the end of the feast, I was heavy and it took all I had in me to pull myself up, making sure I held on to the table for support. “Thank you for inviting me to share a meal with you,” I said and then did a curt bow before turning in the direction of the door. Just as I was about to t
Alpha Jasper's POVIf asked why I wanted Anna to move into my chambers, I had no response for that. It was just a prompting I had inside of me and so I decided to act accordingly. Getting to my chambers, the guards standing by the door pushed the door open and I stepped in followed by Anna. While I went about getting changed for the night, Anna stood at a corner, her hands crossed with her head bent. Ignoring her, I went ahead to change into my robe. “Why are you just standing there?” I asked moments later since she had refused to leave her position. “Can't you have a change of mind? I'm not really comfortable here.” She replied with a frown, darting her eyes around my chambers as if this was the first time she was stepping in. With my hands across my broad chest, I said, “The maids had placed a few of your clothing inside the closet. When you are ready to get some sleep, change into something comfy and join me.” “Al…” she tried to call out to me but I didn't respond, instead, I
Anna's POV What has gotten over Alpha Jasper? Since my return, it has been from one drama to another. Foremost it was a feast and then a walk down the aisle in the cold night. As if that wasn't enough, he asked me to move in with him into his chambers. Yet to wrap my head around the new development, here he was speaking about a party to celebrate my return and also to reveal his heir. What more does he have in store for me? Is this his form of punishment? Throwing my head backwards, I let out a low groan before I straightened up and then followed him to his chambers. The only time I decided to join him in bed was when he was already asleep and had his back on me. I hope this night will be the first and the last one I will spend in his chamber in this manner. The next morning, I heard the creaking of the windows and this was confirmed when a ray of light rushed into the room at once, causing me to squint in pain. Shielding my eyes with one hand, I stretched my hand t
Maya's POV While I was cleaning up this morning, I heard a knock on the door and I hurried towards it, trying to guess who was on the other end. Yanking the door open, I poked my head outside but didn't see anyone apart from my redhead neighbour, who was going about her chores. Just as I was about to bang the door shut, two men walked up to me and I stilled. For the next few minutes, I was just staring at them, trying to pinpoint their faces. “Who are you?” I couldn't help but ask. They looked like they were strangers. “Are you Maya, Anna's friend?” The tall one among the two asked and I immediately gulped, wondering what sort of trouble I had landed myself into. “We are from the neighbouring pack where your friend, Anna, resides.” He said again and I nodded, rubbing my sweaty palms against my dress. It better not be what I was thinking. With their attire, I didn't need anyone to tell me they were palace guards. Before I could start cooking up weird ideas in my head,
Anna's POV Considering the way Alpha Jasper had spoken about Maya after he accepted my request, my instincts kept telling me to lead Maya into the palace on her arrival, but I refused, and now, look where my disobedience had landed me. Ever since Alpha Jasper left with Maya, my heart had been ramming against my chest nonstop. It was as if the next minute I was going to pass out with fear. “I just hope nothing bad happens,” I muttered, fiddling with my fingers. It was in this disoriented state that Selena appeared from nowhere. “My lady.” She greeted me with a curt bow. Smiling and with her hands folded in front of her, she said, “I want to officially welcome you back home. I’m glad nothing of any sort happened to you while you were away.” “As if you care,” I said in my head, staring right back at her. Even a mere onlooker would know she was faking her smile; it was just too obvious, and it made me sick on the inside. “Thank you. I appreciate your concern,” I said, hoping
Anna's POV The pains I felt subsided but for just a moment, the next minute, I was clutching my stomach as if my life depended on it. It was as if I was the only one in the room because no one seemed to notice the agony I was passing through, even Maya who was sitting next right to me. From the corner of my eyes, I saw her sipping from her drink while she nodded to the music that the musicians were providing. I wanted to call out to her for help, but deep down, I felt it was uncalled for. Moreover, I invited her to the mansion all because of this party, it would be unfair to drag her into my woes. Squinting, I clutched my stomach more tightly, holding the edge of the table with my other hand for support. At the moment, I was sweating as if I had been engaged in some strenuous work, thereby increasing my discomfort. Still in this state, I saw Alpha Jasper climbing up the podium to address the crowd. “I will be called up, I should pull myself together now before then,” I
Author's POV Months later… Sitting on the throne in the courtroom was Alpha Jasper who was wearing a worried look as he stared at the elders seated before him. As usual, they were whispering among themselves, making noise in the process since none of them were bold enough to bring up the topic. Shitting uncomfortably on his seat, Alpha Jasper shot his eyes tightly, trying not to show the extent of his worries but if he was carefully observed, it wouldn't go unnoticed. Before leaving the chambers, Anna had shown signs of labor and so he had sent for the physician who was on standby just in case something like this happened. “I hope nothing bad happens, I hope nothing bad happens, I hope nothing bad happens…” He kept on going over and over his words, hitting his fist against the arm of the chair. In his frustrated state, he didn't realize he was voicing it until Beta Jacob pointed it out to him and it was confirmed when he locked eyes with the elders who were staring.
Author's POV Watching the monster devour Selena who was struggling to get herself out of the cage was a relief to Alpha Jasper. Her cries and screams for help made a coy smile appear on his lips, his gaze never leaving her even for a second. “You should have stopped when I asked you to but you never listened.” He groaned, wiping off the splash of blood from his face. “My lord, here,” Beta Jacob said, placing a bowl of water in front of him so he would clean up. By the time he was done, the monster had finished devouring Selena and now it was purring in satisfaction. Still smiling, he pushed his hand into his pockets and then began to head towards the exit. On arrival at the chambers, the moment he pushed the door in, Anna, who had been pacing around with a worried look on her face, halted. “What is the issue?” He asked, peering at her with a raised brow. “Selena… what are you going to do with her.” She rapped while Alpha Jasper stared at her full lips. Unaw
Alpha Jasper's POV Grateful I have been able to prove to Anna that there was nothing going on between me and Selena, I turned towards her with a coy smile playing on my lips. “Are you okay?” I asked, running my fingers against her smooth arm. “Yeah, just a little bit tired. I will be perfectly okay when I have gotten enough rest.” She said in a reassuring tone. Nodding, I got off my seat and then pushed my hand towards her, “Let's go.” I said, helping her rise with my other hand. When she finally got off the seat with a lot of difficulty, I held her shoulder, helping her walk towards the door. “Thank you.” She said as we made our way through the hallway. “You don't have to thank me. I did what every other person who is in my place would do… so, it's not a big deal.” I said with a little laugh and she joined in. Still smiling, I patted her shoulders, hoping I would see someone around to help her to the chambers safely since Maya was still incapacitated. “Take h
Alpha Jasper's POV The more Selena tried to play the victim card on me, the angrier I became but I held myself back as I waited patiently for the physicians to arrive. By the time I was done dealing with her, Anna will have no choice but to believe and quit doubting me. After what seems like an eternity, the door of the courtroom caved in and almost immediately, Beta Jacob walked in, followed by her family physician. “Since you decided to involve your family physician, I think I should consider giving her the spot of the royal infirmary since you trust her more than the head physician.” I smacked my lips, drumming my finger against the arm of my seat. “I never doubted you, I just wanted my family physician to handle me since it had been her duty.” Selena said in her defense. “It's alright, please go ahead with it.” I gestured to the physician who immediately made her way to the middle of the courtroom. “My lord.” She bowed with her hands folded in front of her.
Anna's POV “Pregnant?” I mumbled, staring at Selena. With the way she has spoken, even though I didn't want to believe her claim, I had no choice but to do so. The look on her face was something I couldn't get off my mind despite all my efforts, it kept popping up, taunting me in the process. “She is pregnant.” I muttered again, staring at Alpha Jasper who had his back turned on me. At this point, I needed an explanation from him but it seems like I wasn't going to get it. No doubts, he was aware of it but he was acting like he had no idea. Clenching and unclenching my fists, I kept digging my teeth into my bottom lips, not minding the pains I was inflicting on myself. Why isn't he looking in my direction? Does it mean he is guilty of the allegation? — I pondered, shifting my gaze away from him momentarily. Slowly, the realization began to dawn on me. No wonder he had been postponing her punishment, always coming up with an excuse to push it aside. “I shou
Alpha Jasper's POV For the next few minutes they followed, I didn't react. I kept staring at Selena who was still struggling to get away from the guards who held her even more firmly. “What are you aiming at?” I asked, my gaze never leaving her. Her confession didn't shake me but I feared how Anna was going to react to it. Because of this, I didn't look in her direction, instead, I had my gaze on Selena. “Congratulations.” I said, hitting my palms together. “You have no idea what I’m talking about.” She yelled and with all the energy she could muster, she freed herself from the guards grip. “Don't come any closer.” She yelled at them when they attempted to hold her again. “Let her be.” I said only then did they retreat from her. Now in the middle of the courtroom, she pushed her hair away from her face and after arranging her dress, she straightened up. “It seems you didn't get what I said.” She said, rolling her eyes. “You said you're pregnant and I congr
Alpha Jasper's POV My words must have struck a chord in her because the look on her face was like she was going to pass out the next second. Selena being the cunny one must have come up with different things to wriggle herself out of my grip but not this time. Knowing this, I had braced myself up in readiness to square off with her until she exhausted every little tactic she was going to throw my way. “Should I prove you wrong?” I broke the silence in the courtroom. “I have no idea what you're talking about.” She rapped. “I still stand my ground that Anna is the one who framed me.” She pressed on. Snapping my fingers, Beta Jacob quickly rushed to my side, wielding the silver dagger we had recovered from the woods. “What about this?” I asked, waving the weapon above my head. “My dagger.” She cried out with a look of surprise on her face. In this case, a novice would think she was innocent. “Why was it in the woods?” “I have no idea. I have been searching for
Selena’s POV In a thousand years to come, I doubt if I will forget this day, the embarrassment and everything that came with it. The maids and guards whom I had once had control over were staring at me, pointing their fingers and at the same time making snide comments which I didn't want to hear. If I did, I doubt if I would let go easily. I will be prompted to teach one of them a lesson, thereby worsening my current situation. “What am I going to do now?” This was the only question ringing in my head. For Alpha Jasper to send Beta Jacob to come fetch me, that means he had strong evidence against me. “I should have stabbed her neck instead of her stomach. I know for sure, she wouldn't have survived it.” My eyes were already burning with hot tears which I wasn't going to allow to roll down. Showing my vulnerability would be the last thing I will do, I’d rather die than to do that. On getting to the courtroom, I took in a deep breath and immediately the doors were
Selena's POV With each step I took, it gradually began to dawn on me the deep mess I was in. It was as if I was in a dream, a bad dream which I was desperate to wake up from. Snapping my eyes shut, I took in a deep breath before opening them once more. “Father,” I muttered, biting my lower lips as anger mixed with hatred welled up inside of me. Yes! I understand he was mad at me; I was the one who made him lose his mate and also made him a laughing stock among the council of elders, but that doesn't mean he should push me off when he gets the slightest opportunity. With the way he had acted, it was apparent he had been waiting for the right time to get rid of me and immediately he got it, he didn't think twice. Blinking my eyes rapidly to send back the tears that had welled up in them, I remembered my mother. If only she was still here with us, this wouldn't be happening. She would have found a way to pull me out of this mess even if it meant placing her life on