Arabella's POVAs I walked towards what was possibly my execution, I was calm. It was the sort of calm that came from accepting one's helplessness rather than the one that came from assurance.I was barefoot - my footwear had been confiscated almost immediately I had been incarcerated by the guards on Anastasia's orders- my feet were injured but a bit stronger due to the little food Margaret had been able to give me. I limped, escorted by a guard on either side. My pulse thundered and my mouth was dry. I swallowed. I couldn't even ask for water because Anastasia had forbidden it. At this point, I was more scared of Alpha Luciano marrying her than I was of her marrying him. They took me to a part of the pack house that had been out of bounds for me before. It was like an amphitheatre only smaller. It was teeming with wolves that I could hear way before I reached it. When I entered the baying increased and I averted my gaze choosing to look at my panel of judges. Emery had explain
Alpha Luciano's POVI smelt fear.Pure unadulterated fear. Since the day I lost my parents, I knew the scent well. Initially, I disregarded Arabella's claims as a ploy to extend the decision time. I approved. I wanted a stay on her execution as well and a few white lies here or there never hurt anyone.The moment Anastasia's scent had changed, I had grown wary. It was subtle like she was actively trying to calm her body's reaction down. I had never seen that level of mastery over one's body before. Especially not from an airhead that was supposed to become my trophy wife.That was when my suspicion kicked in. Uncle Tommaso hadn't noticed yet that Anastasia was beginning to crack under the pressure. Meanwhile, I was waiting on Mikah's report. He was supposed to give me a detailed rundown on Anastasia any minute now. That was why I had given Arabella an opportunity to speak. I had no idea that she was even more informed than me about the affairs going down in my pack.If everything th
Natasha's POVI was enjoying this a little bit too much honestly speaking. While Luciano was distracted with his wedding and a murder trial, I would screw him over. Arabella was resourceful. She could get herself out of that situation and if she didn't, more money for me. A win-win regardless of the situation.I waited for the call patiently. When it finally came, I smiled. I knew the call would come in."Tell me.""We took everything."Let the games begin.*******Arabella's POVI winced and shifted my feet or at least I tried to. Alpha Luciano didn't let me. After carrying me up to his room, he had taken me into the bathroom and left me alone to take a shower. Immediately I'd stepped out wrapped in his voluminous towel, he had handed me one of his shirts to change into. He didn't look away for a second as I changed. It felt surprisingly intimate and I felt my cheeks burning which was strange because he had seen me naked so many times now that I should be immune to embarrassment
Alpha Luciano's POVThe announcement brought on a range of reactions from shock to outrage. I had thought about it hard. It was the sensible thing to do. If I couldn't protect them, what was the point?"Those who want to remain are free to do so and those who want to leave will also be compensated for their time, efforts and sacrifices they made…"The women looked between themselves. "If you wish to leave, I will not judge you. You have all tried your best and I am humbled by your sacrifices. Now if you wish to leave, simply move to this side and Mikah will take down your information and discuss your settlement plan with you. If you wish to leave this pack so that you will be able to start your life afresh, I will foot the bill."Giulia stood up first and walked straight to Mikah without a backwards glance at me. I looked at the remaining eight of them and one by one they stood up and left until they were just four left sitting. The other five chose to leave instead.I should have do
Arabella's POV. I walked to my room in the harem feeling a twinge of guilt. I couldn't go back to his room and lie on his bed acting like I hadn't betrayed him because that was what I had done. I had betrayed him. But he wasn't worth my loyalty anyways. An image of him treating my injuries popped into my head. The way he had bandaged my feet so softly. His slight smile when I had reminded him of the doctor's visit. His kiss that had seared its way into my soul. I had to balance myself on the wall of the corridor, suddenly weak in the knees because of the onslaught of emotions I felt instantly. I forced myself to enter my room. It felt so confined and empty now without him in it. I felt utterly disgusted with myself. Had I really fallen for him despite all the wicked things he had done to me because of the scraps of kindness he threw my way?I was so stupid and my heart was even more stupid. I couldn't place when exactly it was that this thing, this feeling had started up. Was it
Arabella's POVTime lost value and blurred together. I didn't know if it was minutes, hours or days since my torture had begun. I could no longer scream, my throat was hoarse and my voice was gone. I held on to consciousness by a thin rope. Or more appropriately consciousness held onto me. Anytime I was on the brink of losing consciousness, he made sure to bring me back. To stimulate my senses again. To make sure I was aware and fully cognizant as the pain threshold mounted.He had a lot of experience with this it would seem. Because he continually kept me on the brink, I lost all sense of self. I think I would have told him all I knew already if I didn't hate him as much as I loved him.The little food in me came up as I projectile puked. Some still got on my clothes soiling them.The pain soared and lulled. Rising in waves and carrying me along as an unwilling passenger.The pain stopped and the absence of pain seemed like a different pain on its own because I knew the relief was o
Arabella's POVWhen Luciano came again to the cell, he wasn't alone. His guards dragged something between them down the staircase. When Luciano got to my cell, he opened the door. "I brought you a gift. " Luciano said sardonically.I didn't even reply to his taunts at this point. He wasn't going to get to me so easily, I was busy conserving my strength for the incoming pain. He nodded at his men and they dragged the thing they had brought up with them into her cell. The thing was a person. A boy really, he looked like a teenager, thirteen to fourteen max. He also looked like he had been beaten to within an inch of death's door. My stomach turned at his callous regard for people and life in general. Then his men unstrapped me and dumped me unceremoniously to the ground and my ass hurt with the landing. Then they put the boy in the interrogation chair.I looked at Luciano wondering what his plan was this time.Once the boy was securely strapped down, his men went outside and stood
Alpha Luciano's POV.Since my parents' death, I have never been more scared in my entire life. Arabella was still unconscious, her body hooked to an IV. I let my hand drift to her belly. My child. I was going to become a father.My hand trembled and I was surprised to feel my eyes water. Since that day, I had never cried. I wasn't weak, I was strong, I was fury, I was rage made flesh, and I was going to be a father within a span of months.I swore the doctor to secrecy but the news would eventually spread because a pregnancy couldn't be hidden for long. Uncle Tommaso and I had spoken about it. About how I needed an heir and soon. In theory, it was pretty clinical and straightforward. Fuck around, get an heir and move on with my life having satisfied the demands of the pack. But seeing Arabella's dark hair strewn over the pillow, her eyes shut and her lips drawn into a pout, and my child growing inside her, I felt something thaw within me. I felt guilty. Guilty for all I had done t