“HOW long was I out?” I asked Dad.“Three days. I thought I’ve really lost you, darling.” The agony in Dad’s face was visible. But not wanting to show too much of his emotions, he stood up and cleared his throat. “Now that you are awake, let me report this to His Majesty. He’s been waiting to hear some good news for a while now. I’ll leave you with your mom. She’s been crying the whole time you were unconscious.”“Alright.”“Would you like a drink? Tell me what you need, honey. I’ll prepare them for you,” mom said after dad left.I shook my head. I was thirsty but I couldn’t trust them not to put anything in whatever I’d drink or eat.“No, mom. But thanks.” I pretended to cough. “I’m fine. I just want to rest more. I feel really weak right now.”She cupped my face. “The moon goddess must adore you so much, honey. Look at you, you’re still alive after all that.”There was a touch of sarcasm in her voice. I could detect it now. Artemis, my biological mom, died a few weeks after I was b
(Alexander)“THE patient is in a very vulnerable condition right now. Her head was severely injured from the explosion. Like I said before, we wouldn’t know the severity of the situation unless she wakes up,” Doctor Pryce explained. “And after a couple of tests, we concluded that Lady Katriona is suffering from retrograde amnesia. It’s a type of medical condition which usually happens to humans. It was also the first time something like this had occurred to a wolf which is another proof of how weak Lady Katriona had gotten. That’s why she needs complete rest and understanding.”Doctor Pryce glanced at me before he went on. “It is difficult for lady Katriona to remember the recent events that happened to her. The only thing she seems to remember now are the memories that occurred in the past like being engaged to be married to Alpha Bradley.”Once again, I felt the crushing tightness in my chest as silence hung cold between us. I remembered how Katriona looked at me back in her hospita
KATRIONA was standing on the rooftop alone. It felt like a lifetime since I last saw her. She was gazing up at the moon like she was communicating with it. There was an enigmatic air surrounding her. The wind was softly playing with her hair and with her hospital gown but she made the simple fabric appear regal.Maybe it was the way she stood. I could now see a trace of confidence in her tiniest of actions. Was it because she was in her own turf? She looked at ease as if she was right where she needed to be.Something had changed.And it was not because of the absence of her memories.That time while she was battling for her dear life and I held her in my arms, I could have sworn I saw her wolf. I heard it. It only happened once but I couldn’t have been mistaken. The problem was that none of us were able to detect the presence of her wolf after that. The city doctors who had checked on her said the same thing: the explosion brought by Ulric’s mages had a huge impact on her and on her
(Katriona) ALEXANDER’S gaze did not stray from my face as he took one more step closer to me. My lips parted and my breathing became shallow. His eyes looked rough, wild, and dangerous and for a second, I thought he was going to shift and snarl at me. But Alexander’s hands were a huge contrast to the look in his eyes. He traced the seam of my lips with his thumb. Silence stretched between us for a long time as blood rushed all throughout my body. My heart started to pound so hard. I grabbed Alexander’s hand and took it off my mouth before putting a distance between us. “This is not appropriate. We’ve just met, Alexander. Whatever culture you have in the North is different from this place.” “I'm sorry.” He did not look sorry at all. But there was a touch of sadness in his eyes when he spoke. “You just looked so much like someone I know that I was not able to stop myself.” He cleared his throat. “So… you are getting married?” “It’s okay. Just don’t do it again. And yes, I’m gettin
(Katriona)“FORGIVE us, honey. As much as we want to take you to the gathering with us, we are worried that facing a big crowd like that might be too soon for you. Besides, your doctor suggested that you stay in your room to rest. You don’t mind me and your sister going on your behalf, right?”The Order had organized a party and wanted to invite me and dad. Of course, these two wouldn’t lose this golden opportunity to mingle with the royals.When I coughed a couple of times, I saw Dominique and Chantal exchange a quick glance at each other. I caught the spark in their eyes before both of them assisted me in lying on the bed.“No, it’s alright,” I said in a frail voice. “Please don’t mind me and just go. I’d hate to spoil your fun just for my sake.”Chantal rolled her eyes. “Have you forgotten, mom? Katie’s not a big fan of parties. She’d been a wallflower almost half her life. Attending might only trigger some ugly memories. No offense meant, little sis. I just really hate it when peo
I WASHED the blood off my hands. As silence filled the air, I stared at my reflection on the mirror. I stared at the woman I had become.Stronger. Braver. Wiser.But broken.In fact, I feel more broken than before.The servants trembled in front of me now. None of them had to know that as soon as I stepped inside my room and locked the door, I had to run to the bathroom and throw up. I was never a fan of violence.But this was my reality now.If I don’t do this, who will stand up for me? My father? He was the one who thought giving me a complete family was the solution to all of our problems. He said he loved me and yet, he didn’t trust me with the truth.He believed the doctor more than his own daughter, saying that tricolored wolves were different. They were extremely sensitive. They see things and feel things on a deeper level. He was worried that the loss I would feel about growing up without a mother would have a negative impact on my wolf. Worse, it might manifest late. It was a
(Alexander)SOMETIMES, when I look at them, I see nothing of the happy family everyone was talking about. I look at the Aldanas and I see bridges burning.Dominique and Chantal were very attentive to Katriona. They could easily bag the best mother and sister awards as they fill her plate with food. For outsiders, the two would appear very sweet. Someone had to look closely to see that their gestures were meant to embarrass Katriona, to make her look unstable and very dependent in front of other people which seemed to be their motive anyway.But Katriona just took whatever they offered with that alluring smile of hers. In fact, she sounded bubbly when she thanked them.The Katriona in the North was very transparent. But the Katriona in the city was an enchanting puzzle. I could no longer guess what she was thinking. She was smiling so beautifully but gone was the usual warmth I would feel within whenever she smiles.She was sitting between me and Bradley. Why was this bastard even here
(Katriona)“STOP looking at her as if she is the only one who deserves all your time and attention. Open your eyes! Can’t you see that my sister doesn’t see you the way I do? I’ve loved you since we were young! My feelings had never changed even if you left the city. Look, if this is about my former fiancé, don’t mind him. What I had with him was purely based on business. What I feel for you is nothing like that. It’s stronger. I always knew you would return to the city one day, alpha. I waited for you. For me, it’s always been you. So, please look at me, too.”I was inside my room and currently changing my clothes for my date with Bradley when I heard Chantal say all that. If I didn’t know about her nonexistent heart, I would say that she was hurt. But that was the thing about my sister. She could say and do whatever was necessary to rise on top.She could fake anything… even love.I was sure that dramatic speech was meant for Alexander since Bradley excused himself a while ago to ta