ETHAN'S POV"How come Goddess Israel's temple is so much bigger and much more gilded than your palace?" Tracy asks in an astounded voice as she gapes at the opulent interior of the massive temple with widened eyes. "I thought the King's palace is the most important feature of every Kingdom? What's the point of having a temple this big?" I halt, a bit shocked by her shallow thinking. I had expected a good person like her to have deeper knowledge of what's truly important. "My palace is nothing more than a home for me and my small family. The only other special purpose it serves is hosting occasional meetings with our allies." I state matter-of-factly. "This temple is what connects us with the Goddess of life. Her great powers keeps us wealthy and powerful. In return we bring our tributes here for the poor and the sick to collect." I explain even though it's something she should be aware of already."Not everything you have said makes much sense to me. But since you're the man I love
ETHAN'S POVI have never questioned Tracy's behaviour before, but it seems like she is refusing a simple confession for no good reason. "All you have to do is disclose your little mistakes to him, swear that you regret doing them and he will gladly approve our marriage." I urge and she sighs with what sounds like annoyance."Why are you giving that man so much power over us? We love each other and we are ready to live together for the rest of our lives. Why let that man impose ridiculous rules on us when we can just have our wedding without him?" She asks, clearly fighting the idea of confessing her sins to the priest. "The special connection we have with Goddess Israel is the most important thing in this Kingdom. We must prove to her that you're a good person so she can accept our union. If we turn our backs on her she will forsake our Kingdom. Our strength and wealth will diminish and evil will reign." I point and she still shakes her head."What exactly are you afraid of confessi
EMMA'S POVNo one has ever offered me a gift before, that's probably the reason why this old blanket feels warmer than any other I have ever used. Stephen gave it to me when we came back from dinner and I couldn't help feeling on top of the world despite the fact that I can only use it for the few days I am allowed to live. I may be waiting for my death but instead of feeling scared I feel fortunate and grateful. I desired the things I have now throughout the years I was free and never got them. I longed to have friends and a loving family but all I got was hate. This may be a prison but I finally feel accepted and a little appreciated as well.Lilian and her siblings now feels like the caring family I never had. Stephen is turning out to be quite the genuine friend I wished to meet. Getting a gift was the other thing I dreamed of and he made me feel a little special by giving me this blanket. It has holes in some places, but that's alright since we are in prison where new things are
TRACY'S POV"I cannot use my blood to save Alpha Lucian's family when ordinary people are also dying of the curse. I wouldn't be a fair King if I did that. He has to wait for the curse to be lifted like everyone else." Ethan responds to the well-groomed beta of Crystal Falls. It's one of the many regions that make up this Kingdom.One often forgets that each region has an Alpha with minor powers over the ordinary people. They are answerable to their Alpha King . . .Ethan, who literally overshadows their existence with his powers and perfections.Everyone knows that he despises those Alpha's especially when they try to overestimate their importance. Alpha Lucian sent his beta to beg Ethan to heal his critically sick wife and daughter. Ethan has a good heart but he cannot heal and everyone that is too sick to wait for the day of atonement. His response has left me disappointed however. I needed some kind of an emergency to stop him from going to Silver moon pack to attend that wretched
ETHAN'S POVA lot of things about Tracy's attempted rape seem questionable. As much as I like to render justice against lewd men that foolishly use their physical strength to harm women, but I feel like facts are missing in this case. Tracy has been quite sloppy lately, these girlish dramas are so unlike her. I thought she was heading to the palace kitchen to get water, how did she end up walking in the opposite direction? Any man would have to be mad to attempt raping any female inside a palace like this. It's unwise to trust every word that Tracy says when she isn't acting as modest as the virtuous lady she has always been. "You should kick that bitch out of this palace right now! Everything she says is a lie. She is a monster in sheep's clothing, trust me!" Jason roars angrily, shifting dramatically in his seat across desk.A credible witness would help solve a lot in a case like this, but apparently my drunk baby brother isn't exactly a trustworthy source of the truth, not when
EMMA'S POVLilian's cold hand touches the side of my neck and I instantly jolt from my sleep, feeling lightheaded and short of breathe. "Sorry, I didn't meant to startle you, I was just checking your pulse." She apologises with a smile. "You look okay . . . almost like nothing happened." She observes pushing the stray hairs hiding my face back with her cold hand. I flinch and she pulls her hand back, muttering another apology.I wish I can assume that nothing really happened, that it was just a bad dream, but the pain in my wrist and fresh bandages are evidence that that torturous ordeal was real. I found myself back here last night after passing out. I was feeling too dizzy and weak to stay awake so I just let myself find peace in sleep. I no longer feel like I would collapse if I stand on my feet, I still feel a little dizzy though.Two guards are unlocking the cells and yelling at prisoners to rush out fast. I notice a couple of eyes peering into our cell, giving me sympathetic l
EMMA'S POVI take deep breathes to ease the anxiety that is causing my blood to rush through my veins and my hairs to stand on end. Everyone else around me seems confident and ready, probably because they don't worry about how fast they can move or who is going to be chasing after them later. I watch with a racing heart as Stephen's group of friends starts the scene that is supposed to cause a distraction. Two of them start yelling out loud at each other, their fake expressions of range seeming quite convincing. "You're mad to think I will let this slide! Take your silly words back or I will snap your skinny neck!" One yells at the other. "All I said are facts! It's not my fault you are so ashamed of the truth!" His partner in the act fires back. The ferocity in their voices makes it seem like they will tear the life out of each other."Such a loose mouth you have! I will teach you how to mind your own business like a man should!" The first guy rises from his seat, his fists clench
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
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."