I stare at her shocked. My anger for Clara increases with each passing second. Mom grasps my fisted hand and says earnestly, “Believe me, I did not know what she wanted. She only told me that it was for her daughter’s good and would benefit everyone. She pulled on the favor so I could not refuse.”I try to breathe through the haze of anger because I know that if I find Clara now, I will probably kill her on the spot.“How to undo this?” I ask, my voice trembling with restrained fury.Mom looks away and towards the other side of the room, which I now realize was a small study. “I have made an antidote for this memory loss potion.”She lets go of my hand and walks towards a cabinet. She roots through the cabinet and after some time, comes back with a small transparent bottle containing a brownish liquid. I glance at the bottle before looking back at her.“This will do?” I ask suspiciously.She nods slowly. “It will take some time. I cannot guarantee instant memory recollection but the m
The memories trickle back like water trickles into an empty reservoir. The memories are lucid and almost feel like a dream, but I know they aren’t. These memories' intensity is so strong that I gasp awake from my sleep. The potion had made me sleepy earlier, and I hadn’t even realized I had fallen asleep without changing my clothes.When I look out the window, I realize that morning has already arrived, which also means that I can meet Azriel. My heart pounds as I hurriedly change into a fresh set of clothes and run towards the office. Thankfully, I also remember what has been happening since my memory loss happened, but I have kept those thoughts for later. For now, I need to go and kiss the heck out of my alpha.When I rush inside the office, James is there, but I don’t bother with him. He doesn’t care anyway. I guess my face says it all as I watch Azriel’s eyes fill with hope. I throw my arms around his neck and whisper the words he and I have been waiting for.I vaguely realize th
[Kaizen]“Why are going off to places when Azriel wants to keep your fucking existence a secret?” I barely register the words before I am pinned to the door of the cabin by Alessia.Her icy blue gaze is filled with worry, and despite the spine-chilling information that my mother bestowed on me, I feel my lips quirk up into a smirk.“Why? Were you worried about me, princess?” I can’t help but ask. My hands are flat against the door although I can easily grab her by the waist and flip our position but I think I will keep that for later.Her scowl deepens. “You wish.”To my dismay, she lets go and steps back. The silence that follows, makes things even more awkward.“Want to come in?” I suggest.She looks up, surprised. Then… she nods, and something in my chest eases.I open the door and let her in. Thankfully, I had cleaned my room before leaving, and no important paper or information was in sight.“Why are you here, by the way?” I ask because I know her nature and until I ask, she won’
[Alessia]“She said what?” I ask, sitting up not caring that the movement practically makes me bare in front of Kai.The pillow talks happened this time, and it was not something I was expecting.Kai’s heated gaze drags over my sheen-covered body. I smack on his forearm, my gaze yet again flickering to the absence of his thumb.“Focus,” I mutter. My heart is still thrumming from what we did not even an hour ago, but my mind is whirring and restless. I don’t want to see Azriel dying or hurt. We have to stop that bastard from killing the only deserving person to be the alpha king.“Then cover yourself.” He shoves the covers at me. I make a face but comply.He then turns on his back, gaze flickering to the ceiling.“We have to see who is likely to kill him. Sarah and Liam are out of the picture,” he murmurs thoughtfully.“And… what about your dad?” I blurt out although I don’t know why.His head snaps in my direction and his widened eyes make me want to take back the words.“You…”I aver
[Azriel]The text comes just after Aysel leaves. I have been anticipating something like this. After all, I have been warned. Denzel Knight has already informed me that I am to expect such excellent treatment from the present alpha king.However, I had expected something during the coronation and not before. When the texts come from my mother, whose number I had gotten hold of after returning to the palace. I was glad she used a mobile phone, which… made her even more real.[I am not well. Maybe introduce me some other day.]It might seem normal to others—a normal text from a mother to her son. But I knew my mom, even if she wasn’t able to spend the majority of my life with me. She would never shy away from confrontation. She would never… say she is ill and if she is really, she doesn’t show it until she is collapsing.Which is why I knew that this was not what it looked like. She was in danger maybe? The mere thought had made me spur into action and after leaving a small note on the
[Aysel]My phone rings at that moment and I hurriedly fumble to take it out. What if it's Azriel and he has only been somewhere and I am just overthinking? But that is not the case.“Who is it?” Kai asks when he sees me frown in confusion.“Unknown number,” I reply, staring at the screen.“Answer it but keep the phone on speaker,” he says.I look at him and give a short nod before answering the call on speaker.“Hello?”For a moment, no answer came from the other end, but then the line crackles.“Hello, Aysel.” The voice sounds oddly familiar, but the gravity of the man’s tone makes me shudder in an unpleasant way.“Who…is this?” I ask reluctantly and glance up at Kai.He has become strangely quiet and tense.“I am your Alpha king. We met when you first came to work, remember?” My heart stutters and I compel myself to keep holding the phone despite my urge to just collapse on the floor.“Yeah…” my voice comes out in a whisper this time.“You must be looking for Azriel,” he says and I
[Aysel] I call up Mason, my hands trembling and my mind feeling like cotton wool.We have not spoken since the day he left the alley. That was a day or two ago but seems like ages ago. I feel ashamed to call him, but I don't know anyone else whom I can call.Kai has left, I don’t know where. I just hope he is not seeking bloodlust. The saddest thing is that I can't even write a letter to Azriel. I just have to leave…But he will come behind me even if I leave without a word, and what about Kai? Would he bear the brunt?I cannot let that happen.My thoughts are interrupted as Mason answers, “Aysel?”I let out a shaky breath.“Aysel? Are you okay? Hello?” He starts speaking fast as if sensing my danger.“I…” my throat clogs when I try to answer. I close my eyes, letting a few tears fall. No, you have to be strong. I am not strong enough when it comes to Azriel but now…“Aysel, answer me dammit. Are you in danger? Can you not speak there? I can ask questions if you want to,” he suggests
[Azriel]The moment they leave, I try to leave the bed, but as soon as I sit up, the room begins to spin and I am forced to lie down once again. I groan and it is then I feel the pain lancing through my body. Everything rushes back again and despite lying down, I feel nauseous.Mom’s eyes flash across my face.The pity and pain in her eyes faded in front of the betrayal that I faced. Growls of anger and pain leave my mouth unbidden. I roll on my side and somehow get off the bed. I crawl to the waste bin near the desk because the washroom is too far away and dry heavy.My stomach clenches and with every muscle contraction, I feel the pain increasing tenfold. I belatedly realize that I am crying. I am sobbing and it is painful. My chest constricts painfully with each breath.Why did Aysel leave again? Why did she not have faith in me?Rowan whimpers in the back of my mind. A sense of despair fills inside and before I know it I fall sideways. My vision blurs and slowly is engulfed by mad