RAPHAELMy most cherished possession."Ours," my wolf declared, and a fleeting smile crossed my face before it turned into a frown.I tilted my head as the maid grasped her hair, and I let out a sigh."He's on his way," the maid informed."Who?"I didn't realize she was just as clueless. Despite all the hints the maid had dropped, my prize didn't seem to be catching on, and I didn't know how much longer I could linger in the shadows.I had been in the room even before the maid's arrival, having instructed her to prepare the princess. For once, I found myself acting without a clear purpose, a rare departure from my usual calculated approach. It felt strangely impulsive, even for me.But then, I allowed my wolf to take the reins, guiding me here. I didn't protest even when I realized I was trespassing.I knew it was an invasion of privacy, and I shouldn't be prying. She was about to bathe, and I should leave as soon as possible, but I couldn't help myself.Even though I was in the room,
RAPHAEL"I'm sorry, sire!" Rhea jumped when she saw me by the curtain. I had made my presence known, and she hastily turned her back to me with her head bowed."I'll leave and return later. I didn't realize it was time," she said."No," I replied, my eyes still fixed on Cinzia's beautiful face. She looked back at me, but I could tell she didn't know exactly what I looked like."I'll be back," I assured. "Dress her in the finest attire, fit for a princess."Rhea nodded and bowed. I walked to the door, stealing a final glance at Cinzia. I hoped she was worth my time, as I couldn't keep searching endlessly for signs."Goodness, who do people think they are? That they can simply walk into your private space and issue commands just because they believe they're superior or godlike?"I overheard Cinzia mutter before I left the room. Without saying it, I knew she was trouble, and I wasn't sure I was ready for that.As soon as I reached the throne room, Johnson stammered, "Sire..."I looked at
RAPHAELI pushed Delicia away from me. Her eyes widened as she curled on the ground. Grabbing a curtain, I tossed it over her, saying, "I don't want to see that.""Is it because of that wretched-looking bitch? You never had any problems seeing me in nothing. You've really changed, and I don't think I like the new you, Raphael," Delicia remarked.I scoffed, glaring at her. "I changed? I believe you mean you changed because you were never this way!""I didn't change. You are trying to push me away and have rejected me because of her," Delicia yelled."That's because we can never have anything together. We're not mates. You're not mate material," I said bluntly, though harsh.I paced to the window, sticking my head out. "Fuck it!" I growled, then stared back at her."Why are you trying to make my life miserable? What do you want from me? Did Mom ask you to do this?"I walked up to her, gripped her shoulder, hoisted her up, and shook her. "Tell me, what the hell did she give you? Any brib
CINZIA POVI bristled. "Who does he think he is, coming in here and commanding everyone like we're his loyal subjects?"I yanked the towel from the closet handle, wrapping it around my hair before heading to the vanity chair."He's the king, child," Rhea said.She had rejoined me after the king had left to finish bathing me.Plus, she'd warned me about how to talk to him, but it was irritating. How was I supposed to converse with a jerk who hid behind curtains, never wanting to be seen?Maybe I shouldn't care about his appearance, but I did. After all, he bid on me, and I needed to ensure he seemed sane.Right now, he didn't talk like a sane person, leaving me with only his appearance, which I believed I'd never see."I'm a princess too, Rhea. Don't forget that. I shouldn't be treated any way people feel like.""He doesn't recognize that. No one does here. You're not in your pack anymore. Your title as a princess is just something on your arms."Rhea pointed to the trident with a crown
CINZIA POVI swallowed hard, eyes widening along with my mouth. I felt like a fish out of water, but I didn't care. The hybrid king wasn't what I expected.He was visible, but I could barely see his face—it was wrapped in a large yellowish cloth. Only his anthracite eyes and straight Grecian nose were visible, along with his rich golden skin.I couldn't understand why his face was covered, and I recalled my earlier speculation. Maybe he was hideous, or perhaps those he had harassed left permanent scars. I tried to imagine scars running across his face, but all I saw was an overly attractive man despite the scars.My eyes reluctantly moved from his compelling eyes to his skin, inked with tattoos. I couldn't read them, but they might represent his pack and other things. In my world, packs were identified by tattoos and badges.A large thunderbolt adorned his chest with lightning above it against a cloudy sky. His muscles were toned, and they flexed as if he purposely did so for my admir
CINZIA POV"Let everything go up in flames!" a voice bellowed, jolting me awake.The loudness ripped me from slumber. I blinked away the haze from my eyes as screams filled the air. Slowly, I climbed down from the bed, moving towards the open window. Peering out, my breath caught as I saw women and men from our pack in frantic motion.Upon closer look, I realized they weren't just running; they were being chased. And the truth dawned on me. We were under attack!The door to my room flung open, and I let out a shriek. I clutched the curtain, using it as a makeshift barrier against whoever was entering. My grip tightened on the flower vase resting on the window sill, poised to defend myself.As my ragged breathing eased, I met the wide-eyed gaze of my mother. She was breathing rapidly, each breath quick and shallow."Mother," I started, moving towards her. "What's happening?"She shook her head and let out another quick breath. Was this an asthmatic attack coming on?Diana Aetos, my moth
CINZIA's POVTWO DAYS LATERTears welled up in my eyes as I gazed upon what used to be the palace of the Royal Wolf Tribe. It was all reduced to rubble.No Alpha, no Luna. Even I, the lone daughter of the Alpha and Luna, couldn't fathom what was happening, let alone control a crowd that had lost hope.It felt surreal, something I hadn't anticipated. I had cloaked myself in a fantasy world to shield myself from the harshness of reality until now.The world seemed cruel, snatching away my parents without a second thought. And now, I was already held captive. Perhaps, my fate mirrored theirs – to be slaughtered. I didn't know for certain, but that was how it felt as rough hands pushed me forward.I grunted, shaking off my captors."Are you alright, princess?"My handmaiden, Rhea, tried to come to my aid, but one of our captors restrained her, delivering a harsh slap to her cheeks. They even spat on her face, threatening her life if she dared approach me.I bit my lip, fighting back the te
CINZIA POVI was thirsty.It had been two days since our capture, and I hadn't had more than a sip of water. I supposed I should count myself fortunate, as the others hadn't even had that chance.As a server passed by, I swiftly snatched a glass, hoping for a reprieve. I downed its contents in a single gulp, only to wince. It wasn't water.My throat burned, and I gasped, scanning the expansive hall for something to ease the pain creeping toward my chest. I had never tasted a glass of wine in all my years, but the it had looked inviting and much more like water."Thank goodness," I mumbled, my fingers closing around a sealed plastic bottle of water resting on a nearby table tucked away in the corner.I released a sigh of relief as I drank, then tossed the empty bottle into a nearby dustbin, my gaze once again scanning the room.I couldn't fathom how long we – the other captives and I – had been confined to this hall but I sensed it was growing late.I remained ignorant of the reason beh