TRACY'S POVEthan's attitude towards me seems to have suddenly changed. I don't see love or admiration in his eyes when he glances at me now, it's like he hasn't truly forgiven me for the unnecessary drama I caused yesterday despite the pleasant efforts I have made to make him forget it all. I grudgingly accepted to accompany him to this pathetic pack after failing to find a way to stop him from attending this cheap wedding. My heart beats harder with each step we take towards the opulent seats reserved for us at the front of the heavily decorated and crowded hall. Every eye in the room is watching us with vivid admiration. I have always dreamt of glorious moments like this, me walking beside Ethan while ordinary people ogle at us. But in my dreams I was happy and confident, not desperate and full of apprehension. I notice young women and girls eyeing up Ethan like a piece of sweet cake they are dying to taste. I imagine they must be quite envious of me. Hopefully none of their fac
TRACY'S POVHis mate's home is here. And her parents are seated a few steps away from us. But I can't let him know that, he would set me on fire right here in front of everyone. "I did not ask much about her home. I only focussed on the wrongs everyone said she had committed. I can't take you to her home because I don't know where it is exactly." I say and he regards me with suspicion in his eyes."How did you become so sure that she was evil if you only talked to strangers?" He questions, sounding like he is accusing me of lying. Killing three people isn't evil enough for him? I know it's was a lie I made, but since he doesn't know that I would expect him to keep hating her. Why is he suddenly acting so unusual? "Everyone said that she was jealous. I also don't see how a good person would poison three people and try to get away?" I argue. He remains silent for a few seconds, seeming to be deeply thinking. "Maybe she was evil, but I still want to meet her parents. So you'll take me
EMMA'S POVRunning isn't my favourite of games, I am clearly slowing Lilian down because she could just shift and run faster. I doubt we can run like this for another thirty minutes without getting caught. I am beyond tired already. But I got to keep going because Stephen and others sacrificed a lot for me to be out here. Stephen may have shifted knowing that once I get my powers I will come back to free him and the one year that will be added to his sentence won't matter. If I get caught he will endure his full sentence and the extra punishment. I must at least try my best to make sure I get to live to see my nineteenth birthday so I can fulfill my promise to him. We race fast through the sparse forest, the only sound in the groove being my harsh breathing and dried leaves rustling at our feet. Every once in a while I catch Lilian looking back at me to make sure I am okay and still moving. I nod every time to reassure her that even though it's so hard to keep up I am still giving
ETHAN'S POVHer issue is simple as expected. She apparently didn't give up on her sister even after getting chastised by her husband and mother-in-law. At least she is not as stupidly submissive as I had thought. "No strangers or rogues ever makes it into my kingdom." I say and see her shiver. "What . . . happens to them?" She questions with shaky lips, her eyes already wetting with tears."They are of course arrested and taken to prison." I answer and she sighs with relief. I am restraining myself from telling her that most of them actually get killed by border guards. I don't approve it but without such strictness I would have all kinds of banished maniacs entering my kingdom. "If I may ask, why did your sister leave?" I question, Once again she hesitates to answer, looking embarassed and wistful. She lowers herself back into the cozy seat and covers her face with her palms. The servant in the room looks uneasy as well."My mate was going to banish her the next day after our ma
ETHAN'S POV"Are you alright? You look kind of . . . appalled." The Luna observes, lowering herself back to the seat across the desk.She just confessed that she was harsh and uncaring towards my mate and I having a hard time restraining myself from snapping at her. I have no right to judge her since I have done worse things to my mate than just hating her. My mate didn't kill anyone yet she is in a hellish prison waiting to be executed. I must be the worst mate anyone has ever been paired with, thanks to devil in sheep's coat I chose to trust. For the last few days I tried to expel all thoughts concerning my mate out of my mind so I wouldn't sense much of her pain and feel compelled to forgive her wicked crimes. I was convinced that she deserved the harsh punishment even if her suffering made my heart and mind hurt. Now the memory of her bruised face and teary eyes makes my blood rush through my veins. She has probably given up the will to live by now. Hopefully she won't have atte
EMMA'S POVStephen looked modest and spoke like a gentleman. Nothing about him seemed indecent, or in this case . . . murderous. I didn't ask why he was in prison, I assumed it was for something he did by mistake or he got accused of falsely just like me. But Lilian claims that he actually did kill his father, I have doubts about it being all true of course. "If it's true he must have had a good reason for doing it. Stephen doesn't seem like the villainous type." I say, walking fast beside Lilian.We have been walking for about twenty minutes and have only bypassed few people who obviously didn't know who we are. The road keeps turning and curving, making it hard to guess who we might meet next. The voluptuous woman that bypassed us last regarded us with suspicion, but of course she can't be aware of who we are. She also looked sick, just not bad enough to be unable to walk."I heard that he killed him in a fight. His father had a weaker wolf so he didn't stand a chance against a str
EMMA'S POVThis isn't what we expected. It's probably not how Stephen thought his sister would welcome us either, he would have warned us about her cold demeanor."If your brother was here he would be extremely disappointed in you. You have no idea how much he risked to get Emma out here!" Lilian glowers at the girl and she snorts. "I have no doubt he risked his head for it, he has after all been in prison for three years and doesn't know that our mother is dying because of the curse." The girl retorts back, her voice becoming thick and hoarse with anger. "I will not allow the sick people including my mother to die so that this vixen can live out here free!" She adds, shooting me a baleful glare. Guess she doesn't believe that I am innocent despite Stephen writing it on the letter. Or maybe she doesn't care as long as I am the person whose death is supposed to raise the curse. "I will use my blood to heal your mother. Then in exchange you will guide us to the border so we can leave
TRACY'S POVMy stomach twists with apprehension. Something has gone terribly wrong and I can't figure out what it is.Ethan hasn't spoken a word to me since we left Silver moon this morning. He didn't even spend the last night beside me on the bed. He left the room and didn't come back until morning.Whatever that old Alpha told him must have been distressing. I wish he could open up and let me carry half of his burdens. But he has been acting like my company is repulsive.At least we left Silver Moon before that Luna got another chance to speak about her sister in his presence. I almost sounded like a bitch last night while trying to stop her from revealing things that can ruin my life.I watch with relief as the carriage finally rolls past the palace gates. There is an unusual fuss around the imposing building, soldiers and councilmen rush in and out, all looking quite perturbed.Ethan's mother and Griffin steps out through the entrance and walks fast towards our carriage. What coul
EMMA'S POVI move my thick hair sideways as Ethan places the most stunning of necklaces around my neck and clasps it at the back. The mirror in front of us reflects my adorned neck and the shimmering necklace makes me look like a refined, noble woman.I have never worn jewelry before. I don't plan on adding more as that would make me look overly spangled like many royal women. The necklace has a unique design, three diamonds shaped like three stars and a crescent moon hang at the front while the rest of the beads are made of silver and are quite tinny. I think I can always wear it, with any dress. "You look stunning." My mate compliments as I turn around to face him. I believe his words, but guess who always looks more breathtaking . . . him. He never needs to wear anything or style his hair in a certain way to look like beauty personified. "Thank you for this. I am not a fan of jewelry, but I like this one." I say with a genuine smile. He has given me more gifts since I arrived h
ETHAN'S POV I feel strangely more refreshed than usual after spending the night sleeping beside my mate. Her heavenly scent was so lulling that I couldn't resist the urge to pull her closer and bury my nose into her neck. She was fretful at first, but she slowly relaxed and slipped back to sleep. She seemed grateful that I was there despite our infelicitous past. I imagine the nightmare had left her shaken, her body was quivering as I settled in the bed beside her. I was relieved when she managed to fall back asleep on her own. I watched her beautiful face for half an hour after waking up earlier than usual to make sure she has a personal servant that we can trust to prepare her breakfast. We will soon be parting ways because I need her to be somewhere safe before the day of atonement. And I want her to have someone truly loyal and caring by her side. The woman I chose used to be my nanny when I was a child, I felt closer to her than to my parents. I am sure she will care for Emma
EMMA'S POVI wake up huffing and puffing, my body sweating from the terror of the appalling nightmare. Turns out laying on a King size bed and being surrounded by gold isn't a guarantee to peaceful sleep. I have had terrifying nightmares before, but none was as chilling as the scene that jolted me awake from my sleep. My heart is still pounding hard from the frightening dream. It felt so real. I can't help worrying that it may be a warning of what I will happen to me in future. I know it was just a dream, but I saw my life being taken to lift the curse. My arms and legs were bound to the wooden table I was laying on so that I wouldn't escape. Ethan's parents and my sister stood aside watching. They all grinned deviously as a soldier with a ruthless look stepped forward, a sharp, shimmering blade in his muscular hands. I let out a scream as he raised it high up in the air then brought it down on my chest. I am quite relieved to see that it was a dream, but I may have actually scream
EMMA'S POVI may still have little love for my family, but I never wanted to see any of them again. Joanne looked like a shadow of the lady she once was. It took me several seconds to recognise her face without makeup. Unlike me she was loved by our parents and her mate, why would she run from all the sweet attention and show up here looking like the old me? I had enough troubles to deal with before, but she had to show up here pretending she is sorry. I know better than to believe her pretences, because Joanne can never regret anything she did to benefit herself. Did she find out that I am here and thought that she can come live in a bigger palace? King Ethan didn't look like he wanted her and neither do I. I wonder if she saw the sick people on her way here and still thought that this is the kind of heaven she seeks to live in. Has she also heard that I am likely to die to lift the curse? She should take her greed back to Silver moon, because she won't find the extravagant life s
ETHAN'S POV"You got banished by your husband?" I question and the Luna shakes her head. If she wasn't banished then she run away. "Did he harm you?" I ask even though I don't feel that concerned."Not physically. But he broke my heart in the worst way possible. I can never go back to him." She answers, her eyes filling up with tears. "Does this have anything to do with finding your sister?" I ask and she shakes her head once more."No. I stopped searching for my sister because he was extremely angry after that time I spoke about her in presence of our wedding guests." She responds and I feel disgusted by her selfish thinking. How could she stop searching for her sister simply because her stupid husband doesn't like it? "So what went wrong then?" "I found out that he has been having fun with other women. He didn't deny it when I confronted him. Instead he brought one of his mistresses home and introduced her like it was the most normal thing to do. When I complained he got furious
EMMA'S POVThis ornate royal structure was definitely built to convey wealth and grandeur. I imagine there is no other palace of any pack that has pieces of precious stones hammered into the wall surrounding it's massive guest hall. I am awed by the plush decor, but it's still hard to happily smile like I am home.It's true that no one seems thrilled to see me. The groups of servants we have bypassed stared and whispered amongst themselves, but their faces bore no sign of friendliness. They in fact look displeased to see me.I don't mind as long as no one is yelling out insults at me like the time I was getting dragged to the courthouse and everyone was confidently calling me names. "Don't mind their stares, they are just astounded to see you survived all the anguish and still look healthy." Lilian comforts. I nod even though I know they are staring for a different reason. They are wondering why my mate has chosen not to sacrifice me instead of his own life. He is obviously the most
EMMA'S POVI hate being in this room even when he isn't here. The shimmering gold doesn't take away the hate I have for the person that slept here before. I wonder how she feels being in a cell now after sleeping in an incredible little heaven like this. She must be devastated, because if she succeeded no woman would have been greater than her. She would be the beloved wife of the powerful King Ethan. But somehow things fell apart when she least expected. I really wonder how Ethan found out she was fooling him since she seemed quite in control of the situation. I thought since he adored her so much he would not punish her for anything, turns out he is truly unforgiving.I hear the door click open and turn my nervous gaze in that direction. Before Ethan left he said that he would send someone here to keep me company and show me around the palace if I wish to take a break from staying in here. I was however not expecting that person to be an excited, smiling Lilian.She looks pretty in
ETHAN'S POVI knew from the start that she would not agree to return here with me. But I could not leave her out there, not when she was already left locked up in an empty room to starve to death. I imagine no man of this Kingdom has ever endured the amount of physical and emotional pain that she has been through. I turned on her when she needed me most, now there is very little time left for me to mend everything and leave her with a good memory of the person I am.I used my blood to heal her wounds. But that's something too small to repay all the suffering she has endured because of my mistakes. I want to make things right, if only there is enough time. The curse can't wait another year to be lifted, not when over a hundred sick people have already gathered outside the gates of my palace, hoping that I can do something to save them from their pain.I wonder if my mate will ever think of me after I am gone. I would feel honoured to be remembered by her. She would definitely be happ
ETHAN'S POV "I understand why you don't want to be here. I am sorry I said so many awful things to you and I failed to protect you because I trusted the wrong person. You however won't safe outside the walls of this palace." I say in the most gentle voice I have ever used. But I can see that she is too scared of me that she wouldn't believe a word I say. I don't blame her. I have put her through hell so nothing I can say will convince her that I am not a monster."I would rather be out there than in here." She responds in a shaky voice. "This is your room, right?" She questions, once more gazing at the gilded furniture and the eye-catching drawings on the walls. "No. This one is yours. I thought you would like it." I say, trying to get a positive reaction from her, but she scoffs. I feel worried because she still seems weak. She yawns and I instantly remember what her talkative friend had said. She has not eaten for days! She must be starving."I will go get you something to eat."