Rayna’s POV:Brian took up the duty to show me around in the palace. Alexander was still not back, and I needed something to kill my time.I was already missing him. Brian took me to the back quarters of the palace where there were kids of different ages, and they were being taught in groups.Some were learning sword handling by using those fake wooden swords, some were busy making science projects, and a few were sitting in the reading corner holding books.“I never got the chance to see this part. Where did you hide them all this time?” I said in pure fascination, “Who are these kids?”“Majority of them are orphans. King Samuel started the construction of this building because he wanted a separate place for such kids who had no parents or were growing up under single parent's care. He wanted them to live with like-minded kids so that they could share their ideas, imaginations, and the feelings they had after losing a parent.”There were teachers taking rounds, helping t
Rayna’s POV:“YOU sent Lola? Why would you do that?” The question was not out of curiosity, it was more like an investigation.“I'm sorry for making you upset, my queen. She was sentenced to prison because of me. That's the reason I asked Brian to free her. When I am safe… sound and standing here in front of you then there was no reason to keep her imprisoned.”This time instead of responding to me her eyes flicked to Brian, “Rayna doesn't hold any position in this palace to pass such orders. Do you know it, Brian? I can easily send you to the same dungeons where Lola was residing. As a beta, it's not your duty to tell anyone when the orders should be passed or who is supposed to pass it.”“I'm sorry, my queen," Brian addressed her politely, “with due respect, Lola's condition was not good and she needed to be out of there before anything serious could happen to her.”“You should have come to me then…”“I came … I came to you, my lady… but you said Alexander is not listening to you…”
Rayna’s POV:“I usually do that, Rayna but today I needed some privacy with you,” Lola reached for the tea bags and dropped them into the mugs, the aroma of vanilla and rose filling the air.“Sugar?” I gave my head a subtle shake as I saw her stirring the spoon in her cup, the clinking sound echoing softly in the room, “I like my tea with sugar. I can have black coffee without any sweetness but not tea.”As she handed me the cup, I wrapped my hands around it, feeling the warmth through my fingers, “you wanted to talk to me? Is it something important?”Instead of answering me, she took a seat by the study table and started sipping her drink. For a few moments, I thought that maybe she didn't hear me.We kept drinking our tea in comfortable silence.“If you can make it quick, Lola then that would be awesome.”“Why? In a hurry to join him in the room? He hasn't even returned yet, Rayna.”“I know,” I smiled softly, “I want to sleep,” my nostrils flared when I tried to suppress the yawn.
Lola's POV:I was humming with happiness and had another cup of tea to celebrate after Rayna left. I owed this to myself. What did he think when he sent me to those dungeons?I was young and ambitious, and that was the reason for my rejection. It was nothing personal. How dare he thought, he could punish me for helping Rayna as if she were a small baby and couldn’t make her own decisions? I didn’t want that crown now. Not anymore.Revenge was the only thing on my mind. When there was a knock at the door, I hummed to let the person in.“Ma’am. You called?” a maid came inside and bowed her head.“Please arrange a meeting for me with the queen. It will be best if its early morning BEFORE breakfast. But if that isn't manageable then after breakfast will also do.”She nodded gently, “Sure. I’ll let you know when it’s confirmed. Anything else?” I thought for a moment and then my lips curled up, “Can you please bring me some beer cans?” she blinked as if I had lost my mind.I was already d
Alexander’s POV:“What …” I trailed off when I saw her face.“I am asking, who was your fated mate, Alexander?” the words that came out of her mouth were unexpected for me.She didn’t look like her usual self. The panic and this fear …. A feeling I never knew I would ever experience started making its way into my heart. I didn’t know a thing about this emotion. My mom raised me to be a fearless warrior. But she never mentally prepared me to avoid this emotion… this fear that my beloved … my Rayna might leave me.***Rayna’s POV:The silence from his side was giving me heart palpitations. Why was he taking this long to answer me? Please, Alexander! Say something.Don’t stay quiet.At least lie to me.“Rayna… I… this whole … I mean…” I had never seen him this uncertain. Was Lola winning again?Her sister got mated to my fated mates, and now she did the same to my second chance chosen mate. Just when I admitted my love to him, she told me… they used to be fated mates.“I … I w…wanted to
Rayna’s POV:“Not exactly a plan… it was never done intentionally. I liked you and I started enjoying her facial expressions whenever I used to give you extra care or show you affection.”I nodded and started heading towards the door.“Rayna…”I reached the door and twisted the handle, “Right now I can’t stay with you in this room Alexander. I need to get away from you. I need some time… Please.”I wanted to be alone so that I didn’t have to show him my tears. However, his hand covered mine and he didn’t let me open the door, “If that’s the case, I’ll leave the room, Rayna. You stay here.”I tried to push him away, “No need. This is your room. You should stay.”But he didn’t even budge from his position, “Take your time, Rayna. Don’t worry about me. Nobody from the palace will know about it. I’ll use the guest quarters.”I was still rooted to the spot when he picked up his phone and scurried, “Would you mind telling me what difference it makes?” he asked me before stepping out, standi
Rayna’s POV:People say, goodbyes are sad, but I never believed them. A few months back, I left my pack very happily.Because over there nobody loved me, nobody made me feel that I was important to them. But today while leaving the Royal palace, I couldn’t say the same thing.The nights we spent on this bed, the laughter we shared over meals, and the long, meaningful conversations we had. All those moments, I spent with Alexander came rushing back to me.I was leaving but could feel this heaviness on my chest. Alexander spoiled me, he made me realize that I could be important to someone.I was precious to him. If only… he could be honest with me. Was it too much to ask? I didn’t bother to meet anyone from the royal family before leaving. Not even Nora.They all were already dealing with their own set of problems and believe me. They wouldn’t even miss me. Ha-ha.The person who would miss me the most didn’t show his face ever since he allowed me to leave the palace.I had nothing to pac
Rayna’s POV:“Please stay!” I almost pleaded with Megan but then saw the same request in her eyes. She might be my friend, but she couldn’t risk her job by not following Lola’s unsaid order.I nodded in understanding and gave her a tightlipped smile, “Go…”“So… you are leaving… at last…” Lola sighed as if she was too sad for me. I knew her better.“Yeah. I’m,” Just to keep myself busy I started placing the things, I wasn’t planning to carry, in my suitcase. “My my … Look at this…” she picked up my necklace from the mattress, Alexander once slipped around my neck in my sleep. It had a silver chain, at the center of which hung a dazzling Sapphire, “this is a masterpiece. Are you taking it with you?” She raised it above and observed its blue hues catching the light and shimmering in her hand like an ocean. She attached it to her collarbone and looked around for a mirror.Hurriedly heading to one, she gave herself a once over, “This is exquisite. I would like to keep it, Rayna.”Oh, no. N