Arnold’s POVEthan humiliating me again was the last straw that finally broke the camel’s back.As soon as I returned to my room, I sat before my dressing mirror but on seeing the bruises on my face from beaten up by that bastard I punched the mirror and watched it shatter before I angrily rose from the chair.I hated how easily he could overpower me and how protective he was of Layla, a woman that rightfully belonged to me. I knew I had to kill him no matter what, I might've made that decision lightly before, but this time around I was saying it while watching blood drip from the cut on my head that he’d caused so it was set in stone.This bullshit struggle between us for the throne and Layla couldn't go on much longer and I was willing to be the one who’d put an end to all of the madness.The idea that had struck me while I walked back to my room after being flung out of Layla’s was meant to be my last resort if she didn't agree to run away with me because it was an extremely danger

Layla’s POVOnce again, Ethan had proven that he was incapable of reasoning with me and it put me in a sour mood all over again. I was aware that he was convinced that I was his mate, but as long as I couldn't confirm his claims, he was merely stringing me along for his own benefit and without any regard whatsoever for my feelings.While I still couldn't explain why there was a part of me that couldn't resist his sexual advances, I was still not willing to be his when I knew how much it’d hurt Arnold. He’d lost so much of late, and losing me to Ethan would make him completely lose his mind, and I couldn't live with myself if I was the cause.One fact remained, I was just as confused about everything as I was the day Ethan had called me his mate and I'm even more upset now because my 18th birthday is drawing nearer and I might end up being forced into a marriage with him despite belonging to another man.There was just one person’s insight that’d be much more grounding than my chaotic

Layla’s POVOne foot in front of the other, I counted my steps out of boredom as I walked through the garden. I’d decided to go for a walk to clear my head and lose the weight of everything that’d been bothering me even though it’d be short-lived.However, less than twenty minutes into my walk I realized that it might be cut short the minute I saw four maids in a corner pointing at me and talking in hushed tones. As I walked closer, I expected that they’d have the dignity of pretending that they weren't talking about me, but they only took it as a cue to increase their voices, purposely intending for me to hear.“How could anyone have expected loyalty from a common harlot?” A maid pointed at me by stretching her lips disrespectfully in my direction.“Beats me.” Another maid responded while laughing till she almost choked on her spit.To say I was shocked would be a lie, this had happened to me countless times.“I mean, with how she wormed her way into Alpha Arnold’s heart because he w

Layla’s POVEveryday I walked out of my chambers, I was met with the hustle and bustle of wedding preparations and each time I looked at them I was overwhelmed with the decision that was drawing nearer by the second, a decision I didn't have a definite answer to.“Look alive darling, the stylist will be here any minute” Nadia said as she waltzed into my room.From those dry lips of hers that had been glossed the last time I saw her, I could tell that she’d been making out with Castle at some point; hence the giddy nature of hers.“I can't believe he’s going ahead with everything despite knowing how conflicted I’ve been” I rolled my eyes and leaned back on the bed.“I have a feelings things will work out just fine, okay?” Nadia mushed my cheeks by holding both of them in her palms as she spoke.“You don’t know th—” I was cut off by a knock on the door and I locked eyes with Nadia as we wondered who it could be.“Ah, the stylist! That must be her, I'll let her in” She walked to the door

Layla’s POVThe long awaited day had arrived, my 18th birthday.However, for some reason, I didn't feel like there was anything worth celebrating, I still had a life defining decision to make and I was still torn despite knowing that I was in love with Ethan and he felt the same way about me.Night had fallen and I was resting on the windowsill while I watched the moon make it's way from underneath the clouds. Somehow, the sheer beauty of the full moon wasn't enough to wash my worries away or the tension that had clouded my entire being since morning.As newly dating sweethearts, Nadia and Castle had tried to boost my serotonin levels by thoughtfully gifting me a lovely birthday cake and singing as they presented it to me, but as much as I appreciated the gesture, it didn't do much to relieve the tension I felt raging through my body with a vengeance.In my head, I was more focused on Arnold and Ethan’s absence on a day that they’d both looked forward to. Arnold had been missing from