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
Chapter 42 Alpha Jasper's POV First, it was Maya's scream, and the next was Anna's. What were these two cooking? I couldn't help but wonder. Considering the distance between us, I couldn't get to see the cause of their scream, and so I decided to stay put, my gaze still on them, only for Anna to slump the next minute. I ran towards them and then crouched beside Anna. Checking her pulse, I discovered she was still breathing, and immediately, I ordered the physician to revive her. My gaze was now on Maya, who was fidgeting. I asked what had happened, and she told me everything. Starting from when a maid brings drinks for them, and then Anna's stomach aches before passing out. Right now, I was pacing around my study with my hands folded across my chest as I tried to gather my thoughts. I didn't need anyone to tell me Anna's drink was laced. It was just too obvious that I bet even a blind man would be able to see it without any difficulty. “I will get to the bottom of thi
Alpha Jasper's POV Tackling Selena when there was a more important issue at hand wasn't worth it and so I returned my full concentration to the maids who were kneeling before me. One after the other, I took in their expressions. As expected, they all wore a look of innocence mixed with fright, a weird combination if I was asked. The preparator was in their midst but instead of revealing herself and saving the others, she decided to act innocent like the rest. Well, let's see how long this would last. “This would be the last time I will ask this question…” I could barely finish speaking when one of the maids hurriedly stood up, and with her eyes glinting with fright, she held her hand above her head. “Your Highness, forgive me for keeping mute.” she rapped and murmurs set in almost immediately. “Silence.” I roared, glaring at the pack members. “Go ahead,” I said to the maid and she nodded in response. “Your Highness, it was Lilian who laced the Luna's drink. I was fortun
Chapter 44 Alpha Jasper's POV Immediately after the maid was led to the dungeon, I dismissed the pack members, and within the twinkle of an eye, there was no single wolf in the hall, nor even a member of the council of elders. Still feeling the loss of my hair, which I had been over the moon for, I made my way into the night and with my hand folded behind me, I took in a deep drink of the cold night air. “I wonder how Anna is faring right now. It must be really hard for her.” I muttered. Shaking off the thought from my head, I straightened up and almost immediately felt a presence behind me. “What are you doing here?” I asked without bothering to look over my shoulder. “Your Highness,” Selena called behind me before appearing in front of me. With her head bowed, she said, “Pardon me for my remarks back there at the hall. I only made that statement because I felt it was like washing the dirty lining of the palace in public.” She mused. Ignoring her, I brushed past her an
Anna's POV Sitting at the edge of the bed, I clutched my stomach as I winced in pain. I wasn't hurting anywhere but the thought of losing the baby I had been living for gnawed inside of me as my eyes burnt with hot tears. Never had I thought I was going to lose my baby but here I was, childless and feeling empty on the inside. Shutting my eyes tightly, I leaned downwards still holding my stomach with both hands. Moments later, I felt a hand on my shoulder and I immediately sat up. Blinking my eyes rapidly with fright, I snapped my head upwards only to see Maya holding my shoulder. She had a pitiful look on her face and it made my heart shred. It must have been my sobs that had woken her up. The last time I looked in her direction, she was fast asleep on the couch and I already felt bad for making her uncomfortable on her first visit to the pack. “I'm sorry for making you witness all these…” I muttered, wanting to say more but she placed her index finger over my lips. “Don
Selena's POV Tugging my hair with all my might, I let out a scream of anguish. For the first time in my life, the plans that I had carefully laid out didn't work out as planned, probably because I didn't find out who the true target was. All the while, I had been thinking that the reason why Alpha Jasper was doting on Anna was because of the child, and so that was my target, only for me to be greeted with the greatest shock of my life after the carefully planned out operation. Letting go of my hair, I fell on the bed with a thud and with my eyes moist with tears that were burning my eyelids with no mercy. I tried to comfort myself by thinking of another plan, but my head was blank. Frustrated, I fist-pumped the air as I rose hurriedly. Just as I was about to storm out of the chamber, I felt a presence behind me and I stilled. With death flashing in my eyes thinking it was a spy Alpha Jasper had sent to my room to take note of my reaction, I began to turn backwards gently,
Alpha Jasper's POV To take my mind off the loss of my hair, I decided to immerse myself in reading through the pack records. I was so invested in doing this that I didn't know I had company until Beta Jacob hit his fists against the table. “What's it?” I asked with a hoarse tone, tossing the scroll to the side. “My lord, Selena is out there to see you. She claims she has something urgent to say.” He said. “Send her away.” I snapped with disinterest since she was the last person I wanted to see. Selena has the habit of always claiming to have something important to say but by the time she was given an audience, she would end up spewing thrash. When Beta Jacob did not make a move to do as I had instructed, I decided to go see her. At the end of her speech which left me livid, I sent her off. “Always poking her nose in every nook and cranny,” I muttered, watching her departing figure. When she was out of sight, I decided to take a stroll down the hallway to steam off. Si
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