Apologies for the prolonged silence. Instead of taking a holiday, I fell very ill. I'm still not well and require ample rest, or else I risk further setbacks. Editing these chapters proved challenging. We'll have to speed things up to wrap up this book. Please bear with me during this challenging week due to my situation, but I'll do my best to update as usual. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
~Lilly~ A week passed, and Lesley showed no signs of having the decency to make herself scarce. Despite being caught red-handed wearing wires, her audacity knew no bounds. It was discovered she intended to record our conversations for the press, a blatant betrayal of Brandon's trust. Yet, rather than retreat in shame, she persisted in her shameless demeanour. Each encounter with her became an exercise in vigilance, with every word chosen with caution and every move calculated to avoid further exploitation. The atmosphere hung heavy with suspicion, and she remained obtuse. Her presence lingered like an unwelcome shadow, a constant reminder of Brandon's mistake caused by his desperation. The air crackled with tension whenever she entered the room, her actions leaving an indelible stain on our harmonious environment. Despite the annoyance, there was a sense of grim determination among us. We refused to allow Lesley's actions to dictate our course. Instead, we fortified our defences, e
~Lilly~ Opting for silence by refusing to respond, I observed Lesley gather her belongings from the office. It was a tedious process, stretching over an hour, much to Gemma's evident annoyance. As we stood by, obliged to monitor her, frustration simmered beneath the surface. Lesley's deliberate dawdling felt like a calculated tactic to waste our time, a subtle jab aimed at our patience.A nagging concern gnawed at me regarding my cousin's demeanour, sensing an underlying unease that demanded attention. I resolved to broach the subject with her later once we had a moment to confer privately. But for now, my immediate focus was on extricating Lesley from our home and, by extension, from Brandon's and my life. Lesley's packing remained unfinished when I received word from Ethan and Gamma Tevin about their presence in Hayland. Their purpose was evident; Lesley's looming arrest was imminent, and I welcomed the swift action. I was exhausted from dealing with her antics and eager for closur
~Lilly~ Ethan wasted no time. Lesley and her friend, Amy, were swiftly placed under arrest, the gravity of their situation sinking in as the reality of their actions began to dawn on them. Amy, desperate for leniency, pleaded with Ethan, but he remained resolute in his duty. He assured her that if she was found innocent, she would be released unharmed. It was a small comfort amidst the chaos, but it offered a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak situation. Witnessing the swift and decisive action taken by my cousins filled me with gratitude. Their unwavering support and quick response in ensuring justice prevailed did not go unnoticed. I knew they had acted swiftly for my sake, and for that, I was immensely grateful. In the midst of the commotion, I couldn't help but notice Pamela's demeanour. Her expression betrayed a sense of relief, a weight lifted from her shoulders with Ethan's presence in Hayland. His swift intervention had brought a sense of security, calming her fears and
~Gemma~Nervousness had somehow become me. From the moment I got out of Luca's bed till now, my heart has been unsettled. He had always been a dream guy. Girls were crazy about him in school, but the social climbing tendencies of his family stuck to him like glue, and I had been unable to separate the two. He had flashed in my mind continuously after our night together, but I dared not reach out. And when he started calling me, I began to suspect it might have been an elaborate plan to get me. Getting into the royal family was something his family members were unable to achieve. Maybe he sought to realise their dream now. I refused to be the sucker in this regard. I might be twenty-five and unmated, but I wasn't going to be desperate to the point of stupidity. So, no matter how much I yearned to see him, I controlled myself and focused on finding my fated or the right choice for me. I wasn't picky in that regard. I was also doing a good job at moving on until I found out I was pregn
~Gemma~Lucas got up and stepped back, making me look up at him."You might not believe this, but I don't regret what happened between us; I just regret how it happened. I honestly wished I could turn back the hands of time, Gemma. If we were ever going to get together, it shouldn't be when you were inebriated. I regret it. I feel like, indeed, I had taken advantage of you because I found the blood stains on the sheets in the morning. I am sorry. I, too, wasn't in my senses, but you need to understand it wasn't my intention. I would never do that to you or anyone. I feel like shit right now," he said and ran his fingers through his hair, and I realised I might be wrong about his mode of transport to Hayland. He might have been the one to mess up his hair from sheer nervousness."So why are you here now?" I finally asked him, not wanting to dwell on the matter. He looked at me with a gentle gaze."I want to do right by you, Gemma," he said and returned to squat in front of me."I want
~Winter~Three days had passed, and other than the stress of running the orphanage and trying to get the bakery running, Summer and I also had to deal with Aspen's obnoxious father. He blocked all our attempts to see the girl, and it was getting on my nerves. If Chelsea had not talked about this, I wouldn't have been bothered, but the more I realised the possibility of domestic violence being the case, the more determined I was to see her. At least I needed to know how she was doing. I wanted to talk to Noah about it. Maybe he could use his office to force Aspen's father's hand and allow us to see the girl. She would turn eighteen soon. How long did he want to hold on to her? As things looked, it seemed she wouldn't be leaving even after she turned eighteen. It was unacceptable. I didn't know if I should take the matter to Lady Amelia, but I also did not know how Noah would take it if we went that route. I am going to leave him to handle the matter. There was an urgency to it that m
~Summer~Getting to my room, I looked at the empty bedroom and Sebastien's desk, where he'd usually sit on the computer, and I felt a longing in my chest. I never knew I'd be attached to this man, but here I was, missing him. If we weren't too tired, I would have requested that Winter spend some time in the living room, but we needed to shower and rest. The day had been hectic, and honestly, a little shut eyes would definitely help.Exiting the bathroom, I decided to go to bed naked and get under the sheets. It was hard for me to fall asleep even though Sebastien's scent assaulted my senses. I was attached, and I knew it. There was no denying it, and I doubt I would survive a heartbreak. I wondered how Winter was able to survive what Brandon did to her because I could imagine she must have felt this way about him; they were fated, after all. No wonder she became a closet drunk. I am glad my friend was able to kick the habit easily. I was beginning to worry for her. I am also grateful
~Gemma~The day to leave for Lucland had finally come, and the throbbing in my chest made me uneasy. Lilly and Eleanor weren't happy that I turned Lucas down, but honestly, I wasn't lying when I said I needed time. I hoped we might still have a chance, and if not, then he wasn't meant for me. I packed my bags fully, knowing I might not be returning. My options weren't really much; it was either I left home or told my folks the truth, but I also knew that my father would not see reason and claim that Lucas did it deliberately. I knew my father would destroy him for it, and I couldn't have that. Seeing the way Lucas backed down when I said no, I knew it wasn't deliberate on his part, and he only wanted to right a wrong out of duty. I didn't want him to end his engagement and commit to me simply because he felt obligated because we accidentally had sex, and he popped my cherry. If I had accepted his offer, I would forever feel like a charity case, and that wasn't a great place to begin
I want to start by saying I'm truly sorry for the short chapters. It seems there are now "ideal word count limits" to adhere to. I deeply regret the prolonged silence, but I've been grappling with severe health issues lately, and I'm still in the throes of recovery. I couldn't bear to leave this book neglected for too long, so I pushed through to the end so you all could move on. I do hope to return with a new story soon, and hope you will all be there, but for now, I must concede and focus on recuperating. The silence weighs heavy on me, and I truly hope you enjoyed the story and its conclusion. This marks the final instalment in the DSOF series. Perhaps one day, I'll pen Eleanor's tale, but I'm hesitant to make any promises I may not be able to fulfil. Please bear with me, dear readers and co-writers, and know that I cherish each and every one of you dearly. I will miss you all immensely. I love you all.❤️❤️❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾🤗🤗
~Winter~ A year passed, and all the struggles were a distant memory. Now, we were hosting the gathering in the East, and Summer, Chelsea and I had gone over time. Chelsea was a new mother now. She and Ethan had wasted no time. They claimed each other and got married the next month. Normally, we all thought they would wait, but two months later, she was pregnant, and a lovely girl named Evangeline was the product. Evangeline was a beautiful blonde baby, and we all loved her. We were new moms ourselves, and Summer and I couldn't carry Evangeline as much as we would like. I had twins, and they were adorable. Both of them looked like Stepanovs, and I wondered if my genes ever stood a chance. My daughter's name was Michelle, and My son's name was Frederick. They were adorable, and I loved them so much. Summer had a son, and she and Sebastien named Him Leonardo after Sebasteins's father. He was cute and looked a lot like his grandfather, but he had green eyes like Summer. She w
Ethan I was nervous about seeing Chelsea. Although we said it wouldn't matter if we weren't fated, I didn't know why I was suddenly nervous. I had never cared for anyone the way I cared for her, and I knew it was the same for her. So I wondered why I was unwilling to see her tonight. Her eighteenth birthday was in a few hours, and I had promised to be the first person to see her, but my heart was beating fast. I had stayed away from the house all evening, avoiding her. She said she would spend the time with me, and Noah had confirmed that she was in our home. Though not showing, we found out after the wedding that Summer and Winter were pregnant, and they were very peckish, so Chelsea always brought them snacks. Although Summer and Winter had planned a party for her, it wasn't going to take place until the evening of her birthday. It had been torture waiting these months, and now it was finally time for me to make her mine. I never planned to be with anyone except for her, so
~Gemma~ It had finally come to this, and after the crowd and everyone had left, Lucas and I drove home from the estate. Although our wedding took place at the estate, I was now at Rivers, and my man was taking me home. How could I have tried to make it difficult for him? He was genuinely in love with me. Our union was embraced by both families, and Katalina was a thing of the past. The fact that nothing had ever transpired between her and Lucas made me relax. I didn't feel guilty one bit. Lucas had had some girlfriends, but he was mine now. He pulled me to his body in the back seat of the limo that was taking us home. Lucas crashed his lips on mine, drinking me in. Our wolves had claimed each other in the eyes of all and the moon. He was mine through and through. The moment the bond formed, I knew I had found my forever love. I kissed him. Every fibre of my being was burning with desire. I wanted him. My body craved him. He had made love to me severally since we returne
~Winter~ The day of the blue moon had finally arrived, and I was consumed with nerves like never before. I'd been down this road once, and it hadn't ended well. As I veiled my face, my eyes met Summer's, resplendent in her wedding attire. Her touch on my hand offered reassurance. "It won't be like last time, Winter. This is real," she whispered, her words calming my racing heart. I nodded, believing this time would be different. Noah's love was steadfast. Lady Amelia entered the tent, her eyes alight with happiness. In her hands were two ornate jewellery boxes, undoubtedly meant for us. "You both look stunning tonight," she beamed, her words touching my soul. Lady Amelia loved us as a mother would her child; she cherished us as much as her own sons, a rare bond that set her apart. Approaching me, she unveiled the contents of the box meant for my adornment. A breathtaking gold necklace adorned with sapphire stones and dazzling diamonds lay nestled within. It was a masterpiece. "I
~Noah~ Three weeks passed, and the dust finally settled when the fugitives were apprehended by an angry mob of people eager to prove to their monarch that they were sorry for allowing themselves to be used and deceived into hindering progress. They had killed Kane and Ramos, leaving Gavin and Moses. I could bet that the only reason why they left Gavin and Moses, judging by the state they were in when they brought them, was because they wanted to deliver them to the authorities. They were battered, and silver was clamped on their wrist. I wished I had witnessed the mog action. Some parts of it were in the news. With the way the people surrounded them. They had no choice. It was a battle lost before it started. They had sprayed them silver dust to incapacitate them and then beat Kane and Ramos to death while they chained Gavin and Moses for judgment. I guess the King's words, coupled with my father's words and show of disappointment, got to them. Indeed, they had unknowingly helped
~Anthony~ My wolf was urging me to bridge the gap and assert our claim, but I remained dumbfounded. Frankly, I never imagined it would happen, especially not with Aspen. Here I was, enamoured with Chelsea, even competing with Ethan for her attention, when all along, it was Aspen who held my heart. Was Aspen the catalyst for my feelings for Chelsea? I realised I often encountered her before seeing Chelsea, yet I was too preoccupied with Chelsea to consider Aspen. I remember my first time at the orphanage; she was the one at the door greeting us, and she was particularly nice to me. On the second occasion, I went there, I ended up spending time with her. She opened up to me, telling me what she wouldn't dare tell anyone. The bond had been rearing its head, and I was too stubborn to realise it. She was the one who came to celebrate the victory with me when I was feeling lonely. It was her all along. Fate threw me her way severally and put her in my face, but my desires did not allo
~Anthony~ I waited for Aspen to pack her belongings in the evening so we could leave. I was going to leave the next day, as I had told Ethan, but my father had urged me to leave immediately. Everyone had gone back home, so waiting was pointless. Luis was around, though, and he planned to leave the next day. I was the only one still in Mountain, so I could understand when my parents asked me to go home. I escorted Aspen to her father's house so she could pack her belongings, and I went there with warriors just in case the man was being funny. I knew this was the right thing for her. If she stayed there any longer, she would end up dead. One day, he would take it too far and leave the silver on her a little too long for her body to recover. I had no obligations towards her, but I could not ignore her cry for help. Kirill was outside, and he looked at me, angry and powerless. He knew it was over. I was a lord so there was nothing he could do but just stew in his anger. "You c
~Leo~ As we made our way there, Ethan and Sebastian, accompanied by Summer and another girl who seemed to share the same origins as Summer and Winter, clung to Ethan. The girl wore a t-shirt with the words "Victory: because Adulthood is overrated" printed on it. Seeing how the girl and Ethan clung to each other, I knew they were together. They walked to me quickly, and Summer let go of Sebastian and hugged Amelia tightly. "We missed you; we were worried and scared," She confessed, and Amelia rubbed her back lovingly as a mother would hug her child. "I heard you fought well, Luna," she teased Summer, and Summer broke the hug with tears in her eyes. She was overjoyed to see us. She hugged me, too, but she didn't say anything. I looked at Ethan, and he had a straight face, but I could tell he was hiding his emotions. Amelia pulled him to a hug. "I am so proud of you, son," She said, and he held on to her; his hands shook, and I could tell he had feared the worst. Breaking the hug,