~ Rufus’s POVThe heavy weight of Richard's absence pressed down on me. Everywhere I looked, it felt like a memory of him. Drained and overwhelmed, I collapsed onto the bed, tears finally spilling over like a dam breaking. I cried until sleep, a restless escape, finally took hold.For the next three days, it became a dreadful routine. Each morning, I would wake up only to be swallowed by fresh waves of grief. The tears wouldn't stop, a constant ache in my chest. I couldn't even bring myself to get out of bed. Food and water held no interest, my body weak but clinging to a sliver of life. The once comforting space I shared with Richard now felt suffocating, reminding of what I had lost. I was trapped in a web of despair, unable to see a way out.I stared at my phone which felt like a lead weight in my hand. Just the thought of dialing a number, of hearing someone confirm Richard's death, was paralyzing. The suffocating weight of guilt threatened to crush me. “How could this be happeni
~ Hazel’s POVI was jumping for joy when Beta Boris told me he found a new breeder for us. I couldn't believe it. To be sure, I grilled him with questions. "Is this person reliable? What's her name? Is she even from our pack?"Boris coughed a little nervously before calming me down. He assured me this lady was someone we could trust, and also, she was one of us.Boris went on to explain that the girl wasn't that old yet. He said she was a good kid who lived with her mom. Apparently, she had a rough start, losing her dad when she was young. But Boris reassured me that her mom did a fantastic job raising her.Hearing this, curiosity got the better of me. "Can I meet her? Where is she staying?" I pressed him.Boris scratched his head. "We're getting her a room ready in the palace, but it's not quite finished yet. That's why she won't be here right away,” This made my eyebrows furrow. "A room in the palace? But what about Elara's old room? Isn't that empty?" I asked him.Boris's next wor
~ Hazel’s POVLooking around the whole environment, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The environment was neat and beautiful. I stared at Beta Boris waiting for the response to my question. He cleared his throat and then explained to me that Daciana Lupe was actually from a poor background. But Rayel, in a move that surprised everyone, gave him some amount of money to get them a comfortable place before she was taken to the palace."And he was behaving as if he doesn't care," I muttered to myself, clenching my fists. How could he be so nonchalant after doing this?” I muttered to myself when I heard what Rayel did.“ He actually did that not out of indifference, but to compensate her mother," Boris explained.With a curt nod to Boris, I said, "Lead the way." He followed silently. The heavy oak door swung open with a groan, revealing a warmly lit interior. A woman, her face lined with the passage of time but her eyes sparkling with a youthful vibrancy, stood at the center of the room. It wa
~ Hazel’s POVAfter giving out the order to show Daciana to her room, with that, I turned and headed for my own chambers. Just as I was about to sink into my comfy chair and unwind after the intense day, the maid came to my room. But instead of returning alone, she had Daciana and her two hefty bags in tow."There seems to be a bit of a problem, Your Majesty," the maid began hesitantly. "I took Daciana to Elara's room like you instructed, but apparently there's been a change of plans,”Her words sent a jolt through me. "A change of plans?" I echoed, a frown creasing my forehead. "What do you mean?"The maid shifted nervously under my gaze. "Well, the door to Elara's room seems to be locked, and Alpha Rayel was the one who gave the order out and according to Rhoda, I was told that another room has been prepared for Daciana."My blood ran cold. "Rayel?" I growled, anger flickering in my eyes. My sudden outburst made Daciana flinch. She probably hadn't seen this side of me before, and i
~ Elara’s POV Rufus sat there deep in thought, a frown creasing his forehead. I nudged him, but he didn't even flinch. The forest was getting colder, and I shivered. I really wanted to find someplace warm, but I couldn't just abandon Rufus in the woods, especially since I had no idea what dangers might lurk on the way back home, not after what I encountered earlier. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place; freezing with Rufus or braving the forest alone. I shouted his name again, "Rufus! Rufus!", but it was like I was talking to a wall. Finally, I gave his hand a good shake. That did it. He jumped, startled, and his eyes flew open. He looked awful, like someone had kicked his puppy. "What's wrong?" he mumbled, finally noticing my worried expression. “I should be the one asking such questions,” I said to him. "What's wrong with you?" I shot back, looking so concerned. "You look like you lost your best friend,” I added. He mumbled something that sounded like "fine," but it w
~ Elara’s POV"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked, concerned, creasing my brow as I looked at Rufus. He shuffled his feet and avoided my gaze."There's something I need to talk to you about, Elara," he finally mumbled."Of course," I said, patting the space beside me on the bench. "Sit down. Whatever it is, you can tell me."He sat down hesitantly, his brow furrowed in worry. "I just... I don't want this to come as a shock, or like I was taking advantage of you," he stammered.My curiosity was piqued. What on earth could he be so worried about saying? I muttered to myself.Taking a deep breath, he blurted it out. "Elara, I love you!"The words hung in the air between me and him. I froze, surprise washing over me. I hadn't expected that confession.~ Hazel’s POVAfter I ordered the maids to get Daciana ready for dinner, I headed to the kitchen to figure out the dinner menu. I wanted to make sure it was extra special, so I decided to cook all of Rayel's favorite dishes. It wasn't just going
~ Hazel’s POVMy feet felt glued to the floor in front of Rayel's door. I pounded on it with my fists, screaming his name, demanding he open up. But he wouldn't budge. Fury burned through me, so hot I almost ripped the door right off its hinges. Then, I slammed on the brakes. “Breathe,” I told myself. “Just breathe,” I said to myself a bit. I couldn't believe I had let him manipulate me.My anger was still raw, and with a frustrated yell, I lashed out with a kick at the door. It probably didn't even faze Rayel, but it sure felt good in the moment. Stomping back to the dining hall, I found Daciana already there, digging into her food with a puzzled frown. Swallowing my rage, I plastered on a smile and joined her. She gave a small smile back, and I forced myself to ask about the food, anything to sound normal. "Delicious, right?" she said, thankfully oblivious to the storm brewing inside me. I waved to a nearby maid, who hurried over with a plate piled high with food. Trying to focus on
~ Rayel’s POVDinner with the new breeder Hazel brought in? No way. I had no intention of attending the dinner party with the new breeder Hazel brought to the palace. My stomach churned, not just from anger, but from a strange sense of betrayal. What infuriated me even more was when Hazel decided to house this Daciana in Elara's room. That room held a special place in my heart. I had considered the room sacred, holding the if not really the beautiful moments with Elara, the room had the memories we shared together and I was so angry when Boris told me that Daciana was occupying the room at the moment. The news felt like a double punch. Elara's room, a sacred space, was invaded by Daciana, blissfully unaware, taking the residence. My anger flared hotter than a dragon's breath. I had spent the entire day fuming. From the moment I woke up to the unwelcome news about the new breeder, Hazel's smug face, and then the dull ache blossoming in my stomach, it felt like the world was conspiring