-ALIYAH- I remained motionless, my body too stunned to move from the shock of what had just happened. I felt my skin tingle and burn from the heat of the water, and I could still hear her laugh ringing in my ears as if it were mocking me. But I finally got enough strength to pull myself out of the tub. I stumbled to the sink and turned on the cold water to cool my burns. When I looked up at myself in the mirror and saw the bright red marks on my skin, I couldn’t help but feel angry. How dare she be so rude to me? I was a person, not something that could be used and abused. Now I couldn’t help but think about Brayden and his pack’s cruel jokes and taunts. This was how helpless I’d always been in this world. No matter how hard I tried to be kind, help others, and prove my worth, I couldn’t get away from the constant reminder that I was always a small person! Not this time, though. I wasn’t going to let this woman treat me so badly and with such disrespect any longer. I used the tow
Aliyah Today, I had a scheduled meeting with Ashton—I mean, King Ashton Donovan—after a couple of days. I admit that ever since he started standing up for me against his mother, I began to develop a different perspective on him. Mixed emotions swirled inside of me as I waited here in the study room. I was excited for some reason, but then worry gripped my heart, as I had no idea what to expect from our meeting. Except for the fact that he was the king of the packs here, Ashton had always been a mysterious and unpredictable person, which both intrigued and intimidated me. Regardless, there was something about him that drew me in, making me want to know him better. I shook my head, closing the book that I had been reading for almost an hour now. I must remind myself that we had no special connection that could justify my growing interest in him. It was just a brief moment of protection, nothing more. Yet, it was hard to ignore how Ashton treated me lately, even without his presence. H
ALIYAHI waited patiently in the royal office of King Ashton as he spoke to the royal doctor in the doorway. Just like what I usually felt when he was around, the opulence that surrounded me was overwhelming. The room was grand and spacious, with high ceilings decorated with detailed carvings and gold leaf trimmings. I’d noticed it before, but that time I first stepped in here, the argument of King Ashton and his father was more overpowering.My thoughts kept returning to what King Ashton had said earlier in Queen Donovan’s chambers—that he couldn’t focus because of my presence. What did he mean by that? Was it possible that I was somehow catching his attention? But that wasn’t my intention. I hadn’t even wanted to be in this castle in the first place. I actually thought that I was already dead after Brayden attacked me in the forest.The memory of the bite made me gasp, and I quickly made my way to the bathroom. Once inside, I stared at the mark on my neck, gently running my fingers
Aliyah I could feel my blood boiling in my veins the moment Brayden stepped into the room. Wait, was he even real? His presence alone was enough to ignite a fire within me, making me shoot up from my seat. Goosebumps formed on my skin as the memories flooded back—how he toyed with my emotions, making me believe he loved me... and the way he attacked me, biting my neck. I hastily adjusted the collar of my top, praying he wouldn't see the mark he had left on me. The last thing I needed was for him to realize he still had some semblance of power over me, or worse, try to take me back and make me his slave again. "W-why are you here in Jadeisles?"He took a step toward me, and I instinctively took a step back. "Aliyah…"I glared at King Ashton, who stood by calmly, showing no surprise at Brayden's presence. Why would he allow that monster into his kingdom? But then it suddenly occurred to me that, despite everything, they were friends. He had every right to be here.But that didn't mean
AliyahI remembered what King Aston had told me before—that if I ever needed to stand against Brayden, he would be there for me. He promised that no harm would come to me again. At that time, I was too groggy from the pain of escaping Brayden's clutches to question why he'd made such an offer. But now it was time to ask about his real motives for revenge.I stood up, taking a step away from him. It made him confused, but I needed answers. "Why are you helping me, King Ashton?" I asked. "You have nothing to gain from a nobody like me. And why do you want revenge against the Connors? What have they done to you?"King Ashton remained silent, but his gaze never left mine. He didn't even blink, and it made me feel so self-conscious. I hated feeling this way when he was around, close enough to touch, but I couldn't help being captivated by him. His presence confused me just as much as his motives did.Slowly, he stood up, and I found myself stepping backward as he closed the distance betwee
AliyahMy heart hammered in my chest as I witnessed King Ashton and Brayden’s transformation, and the beautiful furnishings had been broken down to splinters and crushed velvet. Deep claw gouges and cracks marred the walls, bearing the marks of their fight. I was tired of feeling this helplessness and fear. But on top of them, anger was brewing within me.“I ran away from you, Brayden. Yet here you are, hunting me down even in another country,” I muttered under my breath.My limbs trembled as I steeled myself to step into the fray. It was insanity, like walking into a lion’s den, but I couldn’t bear to watch any longer. The men and servants trying to separate the two dominant alpha kings were failing miserably, sustaining injuries in the process.“Enough!” I screamed, surprising even myself with the ferocity in my voice. “Please, I beg you, put an end to this senseless violence!”Both snarling dominant wolves paused mid-attack as if by some miracle, and the growls receded to a low rumb
Aliyah The sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains on Queen Grace's face as I carefully wrapped the blood pressure cuff around her arm. Her eyes lit up as she watched me work, making me feel more comfortable than I ever thought possible in the presence of royalty. "Your blood pressure is normal, Queen Grace," I informed her, relieved to see that the numbers were well within the healthy range. Queen Grace smiled at my words and gently touched my hand. "Please, Aliyah, call me Queen Mother like others close to me do." I blinked in surprise, unable to believe that King Ashton's mother was treating me with such warmth and affection. Ever since I had helped her when she collapsed and administered first aid before the royal doctor arrived, it seemed that a bond had formed between us. "Thank you, Queen Mother," I said wholeheartedly. She truly deserved my gratitude for making me feel welcome in this new and sometimes intimidating world. She shook her head slowly. "No, dear, it is I
Aliyah "What are you talking about? Get away from me!" I shouted, jumping off the bed and putting distance between us. The way he looked at me, I was like some rare specimen under a microscope. I couldn't stand it, not even for a second. "Take me back to Jadeiles. Now!" Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes. I couldn't let him see me cry—not again. Not after everything he had put me through in the past. "Aliyah, we're meant to be together. You know it deep down," Brayden insisted. "I understand if you're scared or confused, but please, just give me a chance to explain. I promise you, I will never hurt you like before. Let me show you how much I've changed. I never stopped loving you." "Love?" I scoffed, finally turning to face him. "You don't know the meaning of the word. You only care about yourself and your precious pack." "Maybe that was true once, but not anymore," he said, his eyes pleading with me to believe him. "I've changed, Aliyah. Give me a chance to prove it to you.