~ Hazel’s POVI stared at Mr Louis for a while waiting for his response but he wasn’t saying a word.“Are you even listening to me at all?” I asked him.“I heard you right, your Majesty. I will try and raise the issue as you wanted,” he said with a bow.“Thanks for unwavering support, Mr Louis,” I thanked him before dismissing him. I stood up from my seat and walked closer to my mirror, stared at my reflection and then smiled at myself. Hazel, you are brilliant, I thought to myself as I winked at my reflection in the mirror. I knew fully well that Rayel might have just agreed to my demand for a new breeder to appease me. And I was not certain he really meant it. He still looked upset by Elara's demise and I was trying to not let his sullen behavior get to me.A niggling doubt did flicker across my satisfaction. Rayel's despondency over Elara's death was undeniable. The spark that usually danced in his eyes was dimmed, replaced by a dull ache that I could not understand. We both mourn
~ Rayel’s POVThe hall fell silent, and a sense of relief washed over me. I sat down and tried to come up with solutions regarding an heir.Only if Hazel can... I trailed off before finishing the sentence. I don't want to get a new breeder, but Hazel does, and the council wants me to have an heir. I was torn and unsure of what to do. What if I find a new breeder and she is exactly like Elara? What if I fell in love with her, just as I did with Elara? What if I couldn't shower her with love like I did with Elara? What if I couldn't protect her and she became like Elara?Several thoughts ran through my mind. My heart pounded in my chest, a trapped bird desperate for escape. During the meeting, I'd managed to hold onto my pride, to project an image of a strong Alpha. But the truth gnawed at me – I was a wolf caught between duty and desire.Duty screamed at me in the voices of the council. The Silvercrest pack needed an heir, their bloodline a sacred thread that couldn't be allowed to u
~ Elara’s POVI laid gently on the bed and watched Rufus drift off to sleep. I was so grateful to him for treating me like a real human being. Everyone that I had known all treated me like trash but he was the only one that had treated me right. I could only hope that his intentions were pure and wasn’t treating me well because he needed something from me. The thought of going through what I had at Rayel and Hazel's hands made me cautious. They had not treated me horribly, but their treatment of me hadn't been kind either. Rayel had been harsh and cruel at any opportunity he got while Hazel had only been kind to me because of what I could give them… a baby and an heir for Rayel. I placed my hand on my belly, suddenly feeling a modicum of guilt for running away once I found out that I was pregnant. I wondered if they had seen the bloody dress I had deliberately planted in the forest to make them believe that I was dead. Did they mourn my passing, or was I simply a replaceable cog in t
Elara’s POVI stared at Rufus who walked back to the bed and asked if he wanted anything.“I almost forgot to tell you that I got you a brand new phone,” he said and searched through the bag and brought out a brand Samsung phone. “What? A new phone? Is it really for me?” I asked, looking so surprised. "Yes, Elara. It's yours," he replied. I stared up at him in amazed awe, before looking down at the phone he held in his hands. "Are you sure?" I asked, my voice now in a whisper as though I thought speaking loudly would break the small device. He chuckled, the sound warm and kind. “Yes, Elara. I'm sure. I gave it to you, didn't I? It’s yours,” he said and then gave me the phone to unbox. I couldn’t believe my eyes as I quickly brought out the latest Samsung model from the box. It was my first time having a phone. My stepfather had never bothered to get me one and I had never thought of having an old phone let alone owning a new one. I almost burst into tears as I kept staring at th
~ Elara's POVI was taken aback by Rufus’s question but then he asked again if he was a stranger to me. “Of course not. You are my savior and I’m very glad I met you,” I said with a smile.“Why did you mention earlier that you have no one to talk to or chat with? I’m here for you Elara,” he said and then asked me to save his number. I tried pressing the phone and from the way I handled it, I was sure that Rufus noticed that I don’t really know much on how to perform some certain task on the phone. He took the phone from me and then decided to show me how to save important numbers on my new, sleek Samsung phone."See this button here?" He pointed to a plus sign (+) at the bottom right corner of the phone's contact app. "That's the magic key to saving numbers."“Cool!” My eyes widened and then asked again what we had to do next."First, we need to find the number we want to save," he explained. "It’s my number, right?” He asked and I nodded at him.“ You can either type it in manuall
Rayel's POVI stared at Beta Boris' stoic face, knowing from the unflinching expression on his face, he was there to say whatever it is he wanted to say, whether I liked it or not. I chuckled wryly, knowing it was one of the qualities I had admired in him that had come back to bite me in the butt. "You have to snap out of this," Beta said, standing stoically in front of me like a soldier, his stern face letting me know that he meant business. "I cannot pretend to understand what you are going through. Because I do not. However, you are the Alpha of one of the most powerful packs in the world. A pack that is feared by many and not only that has so many eyes upon it. So many people are waiting for your downfall and ultimately, the pack's. A single misstep, a single mistake or error and enemies would be all over us like ants over a cube of sugar.""Boris…"He cut in, squaring his shoulders. "Pardon me, Alpha. I know that I'm overstepping by interrupting you. You can punish me however
~ Elara’s POVI kept pressing my phone excitedly and begged Rufus to teach me how to use some of the phone's apps. He chuckled at my reaction and showed me how to use some phone apps, including the game app, which was my favorite. I spent the majority of my time on my phone playing games, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Rufus took the phone away from me when it was time for me to use the potions he had made for me. I pouted at him before taking the bitter potion from him and drinking it all at once. It was at that point that I realized I'd been on my phone since the morning, and it was nearly two p.m."Why didn't you tell me that time is far away?" I inquired when I checked the time. "Did you have any important business to attend to?" He asked with a smile. I shook my head, telling him that I had no other business except to sleep and eat. He bursted into laughter when he heard my response and then asked me what I wanted for lunch.“Anything is fine, Rufus,” I said and watched as he stoo
~ Rayel’s POVI paced around my room, thinking hard about what Beta Boris had told me. His words rang in my hair over and over again until they were all I could hear at that point. He had been so brutal and straight forward with his words but I knew that, he had said nothing but the truth at even at his own risk. He must have gotten tired of seeing me mope around the palace, grieving and aimless. I was still not certain of whether he truly knew what Elara had been to me. I wondered if he knew Elara had been my mate or if he had only suspected that I had feelings for her. Beta Boris was not a fool, he had always been very astute and discerning especially when it came to me and matters regarding the pack. Feelings I had not been able to and did not acknowledge until my poor Elara was dead. The council was pressuring me to produce an heir as soon as possible, and the only way to do so was to find a new breeder. I'm very sorry, Elara. I need to let you go and find a new breeder for the
~ Rayel’s POVPanic clawed at me as Elara’s mental link flickered, replaced by a terrifying image,a dark cave.“She is in danger!” I yelled out. Every ounce of self-preservation melted away, replaced by an urge to protect her.The fragmented images Elara had sent were enough. Mountains, a cave entrance. It wasn't much, but it was all I had. Barking orders to Boris, I rallied my most trusted warriors. We rode with a desperate urgency, the rising sun painting the sky a bloody red that mirrored the turmoil within me.Hours bled into one another as we traversed treacherous terrain. Doubt gnawed at the edges of my determination. Had I reached in time? Then, a flicker of hope. A plume of smoke rising from a clearing in the distance.I felt energetic, so I urged my men forward. The scene that greeted me was a tableau of chaos. Elara, battered and bruised, was surrounded by Darach's men. Her defiance, even in her weakened state, ignited a fury within me hotter than any fire.Before I coul
~ Elara’s POVThe trek with Rufus towards my father's supposed location had been arduous. Days blurred into nights, the dense canopy offering scant sunlight. Rufus remained by my side, my keen senses constantly on alert. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the trees thinned, revealing a desolate mountain range.A shiver ran down my spine as I spotted a dark, gaping maw nestled at the base of the highest peak. It couldn't be. The cave. The one from my connection with my father.Fear warred with desperation. Taking a deep breath, I linked with my father once more. This time, raw, agonizing screams reached me.“ My father, It was him,” I told Rufus.Heart pounding a frantic tattoo against my ribs, I scrambled down the rocky slope, Rufus hot on my heels. The stench of damp earth and something metallic filled the air as we reached the cave entrance. A low growl rumbled from within, sending shivers down my spine.Ignoring the fear, I pushed past the ragged curtain concealing the entra
~ Rayel’s POV"What?!" The scream ripped from my throat, a guttural roar of fury. Ignoring the guards and the stunned look on Hazel's face, I lunged at Dolph. He may have been chained, but that wouldn't stop me. My fist connected with his jaw again, a satisfying blow that carried the weight of my wrath."How dare you!" My voice was a low growl, laced with a dangerous edge. "They're not pawns in your twisted games! You lay a single finger on them, and you'll regret the day you were born!""Rayel!" Hazel cried, her voice thick with hurt and betrayal. Clearly, the sight of me attacking her lover had shaken her.But before I could even process her reaction, she did something that sent a fresh wave of shock through me. Hazel, the woman I thought I knew, knelt beside the now-wincing Dolph and began to help him up. Her touch, gentle and concerned, was a stark contrast to the coldness she had shown me earlier. "Is Elara still alive?" Her voice, laced with a desperate urgency, was directed at
~ Rayel’s POVPushing myself off the bed, a newfound determination coursed through me. The anger might still simmer beneath the surface, but it was overshadowed by a fierce longing for Elara and my son. I wouldn't give up. I would find Elara and my son, no matter what it took.Just then, the door creaked open. It was Boris. Relief washed over me, maybe he had news about the retrieval team."Your Majesty," he announced, his voice a welcome sound in the tense silence. "I've done as you ordered. The guards are heading towards Alpha Dolph’s pack as we speak."I nodded curtly, a flicker of appreciation for his swiftness. But before Boris could launch into whatever he was about to say, I cut him off. Hazel's name was a raw nerve, and I couldn't bear to hear it right now. "Don't mention her," I rasped, my voice tight. "Just find Elara's stepfather. I need to talk to him."Boris's brow furrowed in confusion. "Elara's stepfather? What about him?" It was clear he didn't understand my plan, but
~ Rayel’s POVMy heart shattered into a million pieces. Years of love, devotion, poured down the drain. The woman I thought I knew, the woman I had built a future with was a stranger. The truth, a bitter pill coated in sugar, sat heavy in my gut."You... love someone else and have never loved me?" My voice barely rose above a whisper, the words scraping against my raw throat.Hazel scoffed, a sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Loved? Please, Rayel. It was never love. It was convenient. A way to pass the time." The coldness in her voice sent a fresh wave of nausea crashing over me."And now you want out?" I managed, the question laced with a desperate hope that maybe, just maybe, this was all a twisted joke.Hazel's smile returned, but this time it was devoid of warmth, a predatory glint flashing in her eyes. "Exactly. And wouldn't it be a grand gesture of your love to let me go quietly? A final act of selflessness before I return to the arms of someone who actually deserves me."
~ Rayel’s POV I was speechless, staring at Hazel. She wasn't making things easier. Hazel got up and walked closer to me, clearly frustrated."You're being such a jerk, Rayel! Why are you acting so mad? I told you I was pregnant, and you believed it even though you knew I can't have kids. Why are you getting mad at me now?” Hazel demanded, her voice laced with anger.Frustration bubbled over. "Seriously, Hazel? You can't even apologize?" I exclaimed.Hazel scoffed. "Why would I? I bent over backwards for you, remember? You should be thanking me, not throwing a tantrum."Her lack of regret made my blood boil. "That's unbelievable, Hazel! You don't get to play innocent here. Taking responsibility is grown-up stuff, and you're failing miserably! I hate it when people don’t take responsibility for their actions!” I said. The air hung heavy with accusation after Hazel's scoff. "Take responsibility for my actions!" she spat, her words dripping with misplaced blame. I managed a smile, thin
~ Rayel’s POVMy jaw clenched as I spotted the woman. She was heavily pregnant, her face pale with exhaustion. As soon as she saw me, her eyes widened and she immediately dropped to her knees."Who are you?!" I demanded, my voice firm but not angry.Her voice trembled as she stammered, "Y-Your Majesty... I'm..." Sweat beaded on her forehead despite the cool air.She took a shaky breath, finally calming down a bit. "My name is Ares," she revealed in a small voice."Ares," I repeated, trying to place the name. It didn't ring a bell. My gaze swept across the room again, taking in the changes. Gone was the bare and dusty space I remembered. Now, comfortable furniture filled the space, along with a surprising amount of good food stocked in a nearby cupboard. My eyebrows furrowed. "And why are you here, Ares?!”My tone was accusatory and it was clear I wanted answers.“Ares! Who exactly are you and what are you doing here?!” I asked again.“Luna Hazel… can explain… that,” she stammered.“Wh
~ Rayel’s POV A memory surfaced. My father had once mentioned a room that belonged to his grandfather. They hadn't gotten along, and after my grandfather's passing, my father had ordered the room sealed and untouched. This, I realized, was the very same room.The room's pristine condition was a stark contrast to the dust and neglect I had expected. Curiosity gnawed at me. I crept closer, reaching out to push on the doorknob. It wouldn't budge, it was locked. But from the inside!Confused, I rapped on the door. "Hello? Is anyone there?"A woman's voice, laced with surprise, echoed back. "Who is it? Are you Luna Hazel?"I heard her footsteps approaching the door, but it remained firmly shut. When I didn't answer, the footsteps stopped.Something wasn't right. I pushed against the door with all my strength. It creaked open a sliver, revealing a glimpse of a cluttered room and... a woman.The sight that greeted me was a shock. A heavily pregnant woman stood there, her eyes wide with alar
~ Elara’s POV Rufus knelt down, and a moment later I heard the happy gurgling of my son. Rufus had brought him out, a tiny scrap of peaceful normalcy in the midst of the chaos. Dolph munched on his food with a single-minded focus that mirrored my own training sessions. It was almost comical, the way he would get so engrossed in eating he'd fall asleep right after, as if sensing the importance of the task at hand.A surge of fierce love washed over me. I would find my father. Not just for myself, but for Dolph, to create a safe and secure future for both of us. Fueled by this newfound determination, I devoured my food, ready to tackle another grueling training session. The road ahead was long, but with each passing day, I felt myself getting closer, not just to unlocking my powers, but to reuniting with my father.Days bled into weeks as I trained relentlessly. Rufus pushed me hard, but I never faltered. Then, one day, it happened. With a final, grueling exercise, Rufus finally manage