Anila’s POV“He’s here,” I whispered, staring at the shadows. They followed my gaze to the shadowy region; Zach furrowing his brows together.“In the shadows?” Zach asked, looking at me like I had just lost my mind.I nodded.“Yes,” I answered. “He’s hiding himself.”“He’s being a fucking coward is what he&rsq
Anila’s POV “I’m sorry, I don’t think I heard you correctly,” I said, gawking at Jaxon, my jaw nearly hitting the ground. “Did you just say you want me to be your queen?”“That’s right,” he said, entwining his fingers together. “My people expect me to rule over them with a queen by my side. I assured them infinite protection since the last Dragon King screwed them over and the only way I can ensure that protection is if I give my people an heir.”“An heir
Anila’s POV“Dragons?” I asked, my eyes wide as I stared up at Jaxon.He cocked his head at me.“This is Dragon Valley,” he reminded me. “Of course, there are dragons here.”“Well, yeah. I guess I kind of assumed you allowed them to go free,” I confessed, biting my lower lip in embarrassment. But it was strange that they’d keep dragons locked away in stables like horses.
Jaxon’s POVI stared in amazement as Anila nurtured the baby dragon as if it were second nature. I knew Emily was impressed too; the only ones who were able to communicate and bond with dragons were dragon masters, but Anila wasn’t a dragon master. At least not yet, but the way she cared for Ember as if she was her own child, did something to my insides that I didn’t particularly like.I never wanted to have real feelings for Anila. I recognized her as my mate when I first saw her in the forest and despite the fact that she has other mates in the mix, I knew exactly what she was to me. I saw her as an opportunity
Anila POV “Anila!! Don’t you dare tell me you are still asleep!!!” My eyes shot open at the sounds of my stepmother, Claire’s, voice. She was getting louder, which meant she was getting closer. I sat up quickly with a racing heart, panic consumed me. My bedroom door swung open, and Claire stood before me. She was breathing heavily, and she had a fire in her icy blue eyes. Her long blonde curls cascaded over her shoulder. She stood with her hands on her hips and her perfect red lips pressed in a thin line. “Do you have any idea what time it is?” Claire said in a low and threatening tone. I shook my head, swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat. “It's 10 am,” she said through her teeth. “You know the rules, Anila. Nobody is to stay in bed past 9.” “My alarm didn’t go off,” I told her, tugging at my fingers nervously and keeping my attention locked on the ground. “I got home from work late last night and—” “That’s not an excuse. You must finis
Anila POV “Mate?” My voice came out as nothing more than a whisper. Xaden, this incredible werewolf Alpha, stood in front of me pouring his forest green eyes into me like I was some kind of precious gem. “I have been waiting a while for this moment,” he said, taking hold of my hand and bringing it to his lips. “What is your name?” My face immediately warmed from his touch alone. “Anila Montgomery,” I whispered. “Anila…” he spoke softly, testing my name on his tongue and I loved the way it sounded coming out of his mouth. Then his eyes narrowed, and he looked at me with recognition. “Montgomery?” I nodded, not trusting my voice. His brows furrowed and then he reached into his pocket to grab a folded piece of paper. He unfolded it and scanned it momentarily before meeting my eyes. “You received a letter this morning inviting you to Lunar Academy. Have you thought about accepting it?” I nearly choked on my saliva. I didn’t see any letter besides the acceptance lette
Anila POV “Gina!!! Get in here and help me!” Claire yelled throughout the house to my sister. I struggled against Claire’s stronghold, trying desperately to get to the door. But every time I tried to rip my arm out of her grip, her nails would dig into my flesh. Gina was rushing down the stairs and when she saw me, her eyes grew large and round. “What the—” She began to ask. “Help me get her to her room,” Claire growled, grabbing onto my other arm and making it impossible for me to move. Gina nodded and rushed toward me, grabbing a hold of my feet, and causing me to become airborne. I screamed loudly for them to release me. I screamed for help. I screamed for Xaden. I screamed until my throat had gone raw. But it was no use. Nobody could hear me. I was all alone and as Claire said, I was never going to leave. I was never going to be free. I was a true prisoner. They took me upstairs and they threw me onto the floor in my small bedroom. I hit the hardwood with a thump
Anila POV “It will wear off within the hour,” Xaden said, a smile in his voice as he pulled me along with him and toward the door. “We are leaving now, and you aren’t going to stop us.” I could tell Claire was struggling against this magical hold; her face was growing red as she attempted to move. “Release me!!!” She whaled. Xaden only ignored her though. I gave my stepmother one last look knowing that this was probably the last time I was going to see her. I was finally free. I didn’t say anything to her though; there were no words to say. I turned back to Xaden who was pulling me out the front door, shutting the door behind us, and separating me from the life I used to know. There was a car waiting in front of the house and when we approached the car, the driver got out and opened the back door for us. “Take us to the private plane,” Xaden ordered, helping me into the backseat. “Yes, sir,” the driver said just as Xaden slid into the backseat beside me and shut the