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CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
"Hmm, so this is what you all believe?" I muse, my gaze sweeping over the gathered nobility, taking in their expressions of barely concealed hostility and judgment.
"Yes, Your Majesty," they reply in unison, their voices ringing with a condemnation that sets my teeth on edge.
I can feel a smile tugging at my lips, a mirthless thing that doesn't reach my eyes. They must truly think me weak to believe I would let such blatant slander against my rule go unanswered. That I would not have their heads for daring to question my motives, my authority.
Rising slowly from my throne, I descend the dais steps with a deliberate, measured tread, the lords scrambling to their feet in response. I make my way towards Easterlin, holding his gaze with an intensity that has him shifting uncomfortably, his earlier bravado faltering in the face of my silent fury.
He tries to maintain eye contact as I come to a stop before
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I run, my lungs burning and my muscles screaming with every pounding step. The forest blurs around me, a kaleidoscope of muted greens and browns as I push myself harder, faster, desperate to put as much distance as possible between myself and the horrors I've left behind.I dare a glance over my shoulder, half-expecting to see Ember and her minions bearing down on me, their faces twisted with rage and bloodlust. But there's nothing, only the eerie stillness of the woods and the echo of my own ragged breaths.Still, I don't slow down. I can't. Not when every fiber of my being screams at me to keep moving, to find somewhere safe to rest and heal. The pain in my legs is a living thing now, a white-hot agony that lances through me with every jarring impact of my bare feet against the uneven ground. Black spots dance at the edges of my vision, and I can feel my strength waning with each passing second. I'm so tired.I stumble, nearly going to my knees as the world ti
Mated To My Hated Enemy CHAPTER SEVNTY-ONE
I come awake slowly, the world filtering back in pieces. The musty scent of damp earth and stone. The distant drip of water echoing off cavernous walls. The chill of the air against my skin, a stark contrast to the memory of Nickolas's warmth.Nickolas.I sit bolt upright, my heart pounding as my eyes fly open and dart around the unfamiliar space. I'm in a cave; that much is clear. But how did I get here? And where is Nickolas?Ignoring the protest of my healing body, I stagger to my feet and make my way toward the entrance of the cave. The tattered remains of my dress hang off me in shreds, the fabric stiff with dried blood and caked with dirt. My feet are bare and scraped raw but clean as if someone has taken the time to tend to them while I slept.I stumble out into the night, the cool air hitting my face like a slap as I scan the surrounding area. There are other lycans milling about, their faces drawn and hag
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In a flash, Nickolas closes the distance between us, backing me up against a nearby tree. The rough bark digs into my bare skin, a delicious contrast to the heat of his body pressing against mine. His lips find mine again in a searing kiss, stealing the thoughts from my head. All that exists is the taste of him, the feel of his hands roaming over my curves, igniting sparks wherever they touch. As his hands move to my upper body, they come to a stop once they reach my neck, where he wraps his hand around it."Are you sure, little one?" he asks, his eyes brimming with lust. I nod eagerly.Nickolas crushes his lips against mine, and in a swift motion, he lifts me up, wrapping my legs around his waist. He lowers us to the ground, the soft grass a cushion beneath my back. He pulls away just long enough to shed his shirt but leaves his vest on, revealing the glorious expanse of tanned skin and rippling biceps. My mouth goes dry at the sight, wetness pooling in my core.
Mated To My Hated Enemy CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE
I watch as Nickolas walks away into the surrounding woods, his broad back and powerful stride a stark contrast to the aching hollowness settling in my chest. I can scarcely believe what just transpired between us, what he said after we just had sex. I know we're not typical mates. That one night of passion doesn't automatically transform us into some fairytale couple. But that doesn't make his words any less like a bullet tearing through my heart.Tears sting at the backs of my eyes, but I blink them away furiously, refusing to let them fall. I won't cry over him over this. I wanted this, wanted him in a way that terrifies me. And I knew going into it that one passionate night could never be enough to change the fundamental truth of what we are to each other.Sniffling, I bend to retrieve my tattered dress from the forest floor, grimacing at the state of the once-lovely garment. As I make to pull it over my head, strong hands grip my wrists,
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By the time I finally emerge from the tree line, I've managed to regain some semblance of composure. My eyes are still red-rimmed and swollen, my cheeks blotchy from the force of my anguished sobs. But I've pushed the worst of the hurt down, letting it settle into a dull, throbbing ache that I can just barely tolerate as I scan the small encampment.The first person I see is Nickolas, emerging from the mouth of the cave with his usual brooding intensity. But he's not alone - at his side is a figure I never thought I'd see again, one that has a wide smile splitting my face before I can stop it."Eric!" I call out, my steps quickening as I cross the distance between us. Before the burly lycan can so much as open his mouth, I've flung myself into his arms, burying my face in the comforting warmth of his chest as he chuckles."Hello, Princess," he rumbles, squeezing me tight for a brief moment before releasing me and holding
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My eyes flutter open, and I find myself cradled securely in Nickolas's arms as he strides through the castle's imposing entrance hall. I blink owlishly, taking in my surroundings with a mixture of confusion and lingering exhaustion."You're awake," Nickolas rumbles, his deep voice vibrating against me in a way that has warmth blooming low in my belly."Yeah," I murmur, making a halfhearted attempt to extricate myself from his hold. But Nickolas simply tightens his grip, his arm like an unyielding band across my back."I didn't wake you when we arrived," he explains, his tone brooking no argument as he begins ascending the staircase. "I wanted to carry you."I frown up at him, puzzled by his uncharacteristic tenderness. "Why aren't we going to my room?" I ask as he pushes through his room doors and lays me on the bed.Nickolas parts his lips to respond, but whatever he was going t
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Mated To My Hated Enemy CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN
AMELIAThe sweet, mouthwatering aroma of freshly cooked food gently wakes me from my sleep. My eyes flutter open, blinking against the light in the room as I slowly sit up, stretching my sleep-stiffened muscles with a contented sigh.A smile tugs at my lips as Beatrice bustles into the room, a laden food tray balanced expertly in her hands. An intoxicating aroma instantly wafts towards me - the unmistakable rich, creamy fragrance of her famous shrimp pasta, making my stomach rumble in anticipation."Thank you," I murmur as she sets the tray down on my lap with a flourish.Beatrice returns my smile, her warm eyes crinkling at the corners as she takes a seat on the edge of my bed. "How was your sleep, dear?" she asks, her voice laced with gentle care and concern."Good," I assure her, picking up my cutlery and twirling some of the steaming pasta around the tines of my fork."T
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