SLADE.Gloria's words got to me. I'd be lying if I said that it didn't. She might be my foster mother's friend, but she knew nothing about me. I wanted to retort and tell her off, but I didn't. Again, I didn't want to be the reason why they would have any issues in the future. Plus, I didn't want to have problems with my foster mother too.I knew that Gloria was only saying this to get me upset, and I wouldn't give her that satisfaction. It seemed like that was her plan all along. She wanted disputes between us. Ever since she knew that I was her mate's son and she was practically my stepmother, she despised me.The more I tried to reach out to her, the more she pushed me away. I knew she hated me because she felt I was competing with her sons, but that was the least of my worries. I loathed her as much as she did me, but I would never try to disrespect her, especially in the presence of my foster mother-Luna Ashley and my mother."I would appreciate it if you stopped calling me name
SLADE POV."You should taste this chicken broth, mother. I had it made especially for you." Britney dished out for mother after the meal's maid had tasted it. It was a rule I had set in my pack, and I abide by it wherever I went to avoid getting poisoned because many people plotted evil against me, and I didn't want to fall victim to any of their plans. We were all seated at the dinner table as they brought in the dishes and placed them around the table. The dining room was one of the most oversized rooms in the mansion. The high walls and spacious room accentuated the place perfectly. Not the mention the attractive decor that was draped around the four corners of the room. The warm colors always made me feel at ease, but I couldn't say the same for today. I was very pissed that it almost made me lose my appetite.After successfully dragging mother out of that place, I compelled her to have dinner and retire to her bedroom for the night. I could tell she was still pissed by my deci
SLADE POV."Hmph!" I grunted in pain when the healing herbs used in tending my wounds came in contact with my open wound.I shut my eyes briefly to curb the pains that coursed through my entire body like a throbbing headache."Just sit still and let me handle this properly," Jude said begrudgingly. I knew from the tone of his voice that he was upset. He had always opposed this duel from the very beginning and had seen no reason for me to be involved, but I had blatantly refused to heed his advice, and now, he was forced to tend my wounds against his wish. "I am sitting as still as I can, Jude."I retorted. He had no right to blame me. No one does. I had never asked for this duel at first. It was all Damien and Daniel's idea to spite me initially.As Jude continued tending to me, my eyes scanned the crowd at the arena today. The mob of people present were more than that of the previous day. I wasn't surprised, though. Everyone was gathered today to watch the fight and see who would em
WINTER."Aren't you coming to watch the fight at the arena?" Damien had asked me for the umpteenth time that morning. No. I didn't want to watch, but it doesn't look like I have a choice or say in the matter. If I should refuse, we might end up arguing about how unsupportive I was towards his brother's needs. It wasn't like they asked for my permission before they placed me as a bet on this fight, either.I was unaware, and everyone involved felt I should be okay with it."Do I have a choice?" I threw him a side glance and tucked my stray hair behind my ears before putting on my jewellery that had been neatly arranged for me on my desk."You make it sound like I'm forcing you to do this" Damien huffed a response. "This is a family matter, Winter, and you are my wife. You're supposed to be involved in everything that has to do with my family and me.""I never argued with that fact," I muttered a reply.I stood up to leave, but he closed the distance between us. "Excuse you? What do y
BRITNEY POV.I saw Slade watching her. I didn't want to act upset because he was already under much pressure, but I couldn't help but feel hurt. When he had stood up despite his injury, I had thought that it was something urgent, but it wasn't. The only reason why he left so quickly was that he wanted to see her again, and I wouldn't say I liked it."Come on, Slade. let's go." I held onto his arms, forcing him to come with me, and he did.We arrived at the arena, and a while after, he was called to go back onto the field to continue the duel.I knew he wouldn't agree to back out of this fight, and I think I knew why. It was because of Winter. He was doing this because of her. I wanted to confront him badly but didn't want us arguing about irreverent stuff, so I gave up on trying to convince him.I walked back to my seat with Slade's mother, and we sat down side by side. The rematch started as soon as possible, and for the life of me, I was terrified.I didn't know what to do. The fir
SUMMER.I walked out of Winter's presence when I realized that my words had somehow managed to get to her. She thought she would get away by talking to me in such a manner, but she might have forgotten that I never lose. I always made sure to get back at my enemies one way or the other.She might have taken Slade away two years ago, but that was the last thing she would ever take from me. I would ensure she never succeeded in winning over me ever again.I arrived at the arena in time to witness the fight begin. I took my seat next to mother and Gloria, who were both looking anxious.I could tell from their faces that they were scared about the fight and the outcome of it. Even though mother wouldn't show it, I knew that deep down, she was shattered. Slade, whom she considered her son, was going against her son-in-law because of her daughter.She was torn but tried her best to put up a face in front of everyone. Today's fight would tell if everything would return to how it was or go d
WINTER POVA DAY AFTER THE BATTLEI was seated in my chambers. I got to find out yesterday that Slade had prepared a particular room for me in the part of the building he stays in. It was as if he was sure he'd win.He had also instructed his guards to keep an eye on me at all times so that I don't leave until he was ready to face me again.I tried telling him to let me go, but he wouldn't listen. Instead, he kept reminding me that he had won the fight fair and square and that I was his reward. He had even sworn that he would never let me go again.I had known Slade well enough to understand that he meant whatever he said, but I was worried that this decision of his would only bring nothing but chaos.Everything seemed to be spiralling out of control, and the disaster caused by the fight hadn't died down yet. It would take a miracle for things to go back to what they were. I could only imagine the horrible things that people might be saying about me at this point.They were always of
WINTER POVPacing around the room, I exhaled for the second time.My eyes narrowed as I stared at the maids picking up my bags.After putting me on house arrest, I was ordered to leave Damien's room. Slade had mandated I did and had even sent maids without my permission.I believe he was doing too much. As much as he won and claimed me as his prize, I wasn't his yet.It annoys me that he was doing this and not minding the consequences that would follow it. He was only trying to satisfy his want and never thinking about the other persons involved."My lady." One of the maids bowed. "This is the last piece of your belonging. Is there anything else you need to transfer?""Umh..." I began, and the maid raised her head slightly."Penelope." She offered, and I nodded."Penelope, that is all for now," I said, looking at what was left in the room. It was bare."And thank you," I said and dismissed her. As well as the others.I was left alone again.I was told my moving to Slade's side was par