She thought they were done for.
It took her years to get used to the deadly gash he had slashed through her heart when he left without a backward glance. It took her years to make peace with the truth that he had rejected her and that he was never coming back.
Words cut deeper than a knife. She wished he had stabbed her with his sword than ripping her into shreds with his sharp words.
He had broken her to the point she lost her will to live. She begged him to stay and pleaded with him to not dishonor their mate bond but he jerked her away and walked off as if she was no one to him.
She was no one to him only it took her a hard way to realize it.
She let out a sigh, walked over to her window, and looked over at the capital that she ruled.
He had left her in pieces, perhaps in the hope that she would perish soon. But instead, she built herself up, far stronger. Like a Phoenix, she rose from the ashes and soared.
She has a deep loathing for barbarians, more so, after what he did to her. They are monsters in the skin of wolves. They are cruel, heartless, and deceitful savages. Putting faith in them is akin to shooting oneself in the foot. But at the moment, they were short on options.
But she can do this, right? Seven years had passed and she didn’t feel anything for him now except for burning hatred. The love that she felt for him had died down long back in the process of building herself up. She let go of all the burdens that were holding her down including the damned mate bond. Her wolf was the one that was hurt the most but she also wasn’t without pride. With time, she learned to live without her mate.
Her father always told her, she was meant to rule and that’s what she would do.
A soft purr diverted her attention to the wagging tail under her bed. Her lips spread in a soft smile and she crouched to take hold of the little kitten. Gloria purred when she lifted her and put her on her lap. She scratched her behind her ear. Rosalie giggled when the kitten purred and relaxed on her lap.
She was the last gift her parents gave her before they lost their lives to a rouge attack. Being their only child, the responsibility of the Kingdom fell on her. She was still recovering from her mate’s rejection when she was again struck down by her parent's tragic death. That night she cried her soul out.
And the coming morning she woke up as a new person. She woke up as a queen.
The whole week passed in a blur of usual duties and customs.
Rosalie was in her courtyard when a messenger arrived. The message was from barbarians.
“The barbarian chief has agreed to meet her majesty. He is on his way to the capital. Will be here most likely tomorrow,” the messenger announced with a bow.
“Very well. Avalona will be pleased to have them as a guest,” Rosalia replied in a calm, even tone despite the loud thudding of her heart.
............
The barbarians have arrived, your highness,” Helia informed Rosalie.
Riyaga, her wolf snorted at the news. Rosalie let out a small smile. It was nice to know both she and her wolf was on the same page.
“Pleased to know. Tell Graham to make sure the guests are well taken care of,” she glanced at the maid through the mirror and gave her clear instructions.
“Yes, Your Highness,” the woman curtsied and left to relay the message.
Rosalie fixed her eyes on her reflection. Right now she was perched on a chair whereas her maids were busy dressing her hair for the day. She looked just like a queen should look, elegant but powerful, beautiful but strong.
Once her hair was made, she lifted her crown and set it atop her head. The crown was heavy not only in terms of weight but also due to the responsibilities it brought along. She was not a carefree princess anymore but a mighty queen who was bound to her duties.
Rosalie went about her duties like any other day. In some places, she felt surrounded by the faint scent of her mate that kicked up her heartbeat many notches but she didn’t let it sway her and moved as far away from his scent as she could. Her wolf faked gagging at the smell.
“So how are our guests?” Rosalie asked her beta out of courtesy. Being the hostess, it was her duty to take care of her guests' comfort.
“They are far worse than what we had assumed, your highness,” Beta sighed with a shake of his head.
“How so?”
“They are uncouth, ill-dressed, and dirty. Their sentences begin and end with profanities,” Beta described them in three words.
The queen gave a nod in understanding. Who could know it better than her. Barbarians had their own world away from civilization. Manners and barbarians didn't go hand in hand. They never followed the norms of the society but their own.
“Bring them to the court. We will have our formal introduction there,” Rosalie instructed.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Beta answered and started briefing her on other important matters.
............
The announcer announced the arrival of barbarians. A wave of discomfort spread through the room. Everyone's lips turned down into disapproval. No one seemed zealous or even pleased about their arrival in the palace, not even Hendrix.
So no one rose to greet them when they entered the hall. Beta Alaric was the one ushering them in. The light atmosphere of the room darkened and a wave of fear swept through the crowd. Barbarians' fearsome reputation precedes them.
She willed her heart to beat normally when she saw them marching in but the damn organ faltered, jumped, and raced as if caught on fire when his intoxicating scent hit her nostrils. He smelled like soil after rain and pines. It was beyond her how a roguish man like him had such a mouth-watering scent. Her eyes of their own darted to him as if they knew where he was.
He stood out effortlessly with his towering height of 6‘10 and the commanding, dark aura that shrouded him. As he entered, his strides exuded pride and control, reminiscent of a lion on prowl. Heads turned to see him. The stale scent of fear rolled through the room caused by his arrival. To many, the vast hall felt too small and stuffy with him inside it.
How many years it had been? 7 years. His height was always towering but now it looked intimidating with all the muscles he had grown. The time had changed his appearance so much. He was no longer the lean boy she knew but a man with rippling muscles and a commanding presence. His midnight hair was pulled back into a loose pony whereas a scruffy beard stretched over his sharp jawline. When was the last time he took a bath? she wondered. She couldn’t help her gaze slipping down his throat where sat a prominent protruding of his adam apple. The one she had traced with her tongue countless times. His shoulders resembled mountainscape, broad and powerful while his strong and muscular arms had green veins bulging from the surface, suggesting his affinity for physical exertion. His tanned broad torso was decorated with several scars that he had proudly put on display as a badge of honor. His thighs which were half covered in animal fur resembled giant tree trunks. One look was enough to know he was a man of strength, vigor, and prowess. His whole appearance felt daunting and untamed. Feral is the best word to describe him. The leader of savages. The worst of them all.
As much as she hated to admit, his powerful presence had superseded all the mighty forces currently housing in the room, including hers.
Instinctively, her gaze darted up. She fought back a gasp when she realized his kohl-lined eyes were already on her. The way his infamous hazel eyes were digging into her, she felt a chill snake down her spine. There was a predatory glint in them, lethal darkness that could drown the whole world in them. They emanated coldness but interest too as they studied her closely.
The boy had hardened into a ruthless, feral beast. He looked exactly who he was. A barbarian. She watched as his gaze openly roved down her person before moving back to meet her eyes. There was nothing in his cold orbs, no emotion, no judgment. They were like pits of darkness trying to suck her in. Rosalie also refused to look away. It was her way of conveying that he doesn’t affect him anymore. She was no longer the gullible lass he took on ride and abandoned.Soon his lips tugged up into a smirk. Rosalie gripped her throne arms a little too tightly in indignation. It was apparent he was not taking her seriously. “ Bow to the queen,” one of her advisors admonished the barbarian in a loathsome tone. Ryker raise a brow in amusement. “She is no queen of mine,” Ryker spoke in his deep sonorous voice that could put any woman into an erotic trance while staring square into her eyes, rubbing her ego raw. He was trying to rile her up, get some reaction out of him. But Rosalie refused t
Rosalie POVOnce I found myself cocooned in the solitude of my room, I let out a sigh and lifted the crown off my head. I craved for the moments where I could be just myself. I flopped down on the bed and carefully placed the crown beside me. Looking up at the window, I entertained a slew of thoughts that crossed my mind at the moment. Did papa also feel this lonely when he was the King? He had always said a ruler possesses no ally or foe. They are supposed to keep the welfare of their subjects above anything. I had felt those words in the lines creasing his face and exhaustion in his eyes that made him look older than his actual age. The only time I saw him in peace was whenever he was with my mother. She was his serenity, his pillar of strength. Their bond was inspiring. Something I fancied secretly to have as a child. 'Mate. This one word is both boon and bane for the werewolves. Our whole world revolves around this one word. The one the Seline has chosen for us. For me, it turn
Rosalie POV I had no inclination to entertain the chieftain of barbarian over lunch not even in the slightest. I had more pressing affairs in hand to deal with than humoring him. I was still not able to fathom why did he request a private meeting. I had inferred this much from his cold steely gaze that he still disapproved of me, not that it affected me in the least. Only Goddess was privy to his true intentions. I was not able to sense, Riyaga, my wolf since the moment we learned about that female. I knew she was out somewhere recovering from this news. The news that our mate had replaced us. I decided to give her some time. I know my Riyaga will bounce back like she always did. She is a true warrior who cannot only fight the world but also her pain and sorrow. It would be a lie if I say the news didn't strike me hard. It did. But not as much as it would have all those years ago. And I believe whatever pain I felt, it was because of the mate bond. For me, it affirmed only on
Ryker turned his bored gaze away from me and glanced over my shoulder. He snapped his fingers and beckoned one of the servants to serve him. But before the maid could make his way towards us, I raised my hand and stopped the servant. He arched a brow in question. "I am afraid you will have to serve your lunch on your own," I told him in a plain tone. I had expected another fierce glare in response but all I got was an amused smirk. "At least one thing hasn't changed with time," his voice was nothing but strings of murmur as he reached for the food but I heard them. He was referring to my feisty nature. I let it slide. "I hope you had enough time to ponder over the matter," I broached the subject, watching him loading his plate with the food. With the kind of monstrous physique he owned, he clearly had a huge appetite. I wondered if the assortment of food on the table was going to sate his hunger. My nose crinkled in disapproval as instead of going for spoons, he grabbed the m
I wasn't able to think properly due to the amount of rage that had consumed me. My wolf who had gone missing was now back equally furious. She clawed at the barriers, demanding release to unleash the seething heat within. I yielded without hesitation, granting her control as she surged forth, a relentless force of primal fury.I shifted into my wolf Riyaga. With her snow-white fur, blue eyes, and a crescent on her forehead, she looked regal. She had an unhealed scar spanning her neck which she'd earned while fighting a group of rogues. My wolf standing tall and carrying her tail high made her way towards the training ground in her regal gait. The warriors who were in their wolf form paused in their act when they saw Riyaga and showed their necks in reverence. She scanned over the warriors and snarled lowly, a clear challenge to fight her. The wolves bowed to her before one of them stepped forward. The wolf and Riyaga started circling each other while growling in a low but threatenin
I relaxed against the edge of the tub and closed my eyes. My wolf was completely spent after the fight with the Devil's Shadow. His strength was frightening but it was his agility and shrewdness that made him dangerous. I was aware he had not unleashed even half of his strength while fighting me. He wasn't named Devil's Shadow for nothing. Just where did he gain the audacity of making such demands? How could he ask an heir from me when he was the one who rejected me? What a fool I was. I was ready to relinquish my title, the comfort of my palace, and all the luxuries that came along only to be with him. I was ready to become one of them. That much I had loved him. And the love I felt for him was beyond the mate bond. But now all I feel is an acrid burn of hatred whenever I hear his name. After taking the much-needed bath, I decided to take a stroll in my garden and clear up my head. I was greeted by a cool gust of wind the moment I stepped out. This garden was personally built fo
Chapter 6RosalieI wish I had someone to lean on. I was trying my best to not fail my father but how long would I be able to keep up this facade of valor? The loneliness was tearing me apart, bit by bit. I felt the sting each time it ate away at my heart but there was nothing I could do other than sit on my throne and let it finish me. Why did Seline condemn me for this life of utter loneliness? Wolves can't stay alone as a result of which Seline blesses us with a mate to share our joy, grief, fear, anything and everything with them. Life is easier and everything seems possible when your mate is beside you. I also had felt this feeling no matter how brief it was. I had felt the joy of having my mate beside me. But it was all destroyed in a matter of day. The day he called our union a misfortune. A lone tear slipped past my eyes. I had a mate and I was still so alone. Now he wants an heir from me. A pained smile drew over my lips as I thought about his demand. If only he knew. If o
"Pleased to hear. The journey must have tired you out. Let me show you to your chamber," I diverted the topic. He gave a nod in agreement. I turned and led him inside. After showing him to his chamber, I started towards my courtroom. On the way, I heard the clank of steel and halted when I saw him. He was in the garden, training. His raven hair hung loosely on his shoulder and was wet with water or perhaps sweat. His vast muscular chest was open to gawk for the bypassers. My traitorous eyes flitted to his tanned rugged biceps that flexed proudly every time he swung his sword. Not a single inch of his body was soft. I looked up to see his face. He was bathed in sweat and still looked pleasing to the eyes. He looked too handsome for a barbarian. He was in deep concentration to catch my inspection of his person. My gaze flew to his rival. It didn't take me long to figure out who was she. His fiancee. They were training together. I couldn't hold back from scrutinizing her person. S