Caspian was still missing come the next morning and since I was used to waking up much earlier than everyone else, I was up before a maid was able to wake me up and tell me where I should go. I had no idea where the dining room was or when breakfast was even served.
Thankfully a maid knocked on the door soon after.
“Excuse me, my lady, is it alright for the doctor to come in now?” she asked.
“What doctor? I never sent for one.”
“No, but someone very concerned for you did,” a man chuckled and in walked a pack doctor. “I was hauled here in the middle of the night, but I was told to wait until you were awake. The name is Marlyn and there is nothing to fear, my lady, I’m just here for a routine check-up.”
“A check-up for what?” I asked. I had never been seen by a doctor, my family always claimed I was healthy for my age and never needed to, though many times I had doubted that who was I to say differently?
“Just to make sure everything is working as it should be. Just lay back and I’ll run a few tests.”
I did as I was instructed and Marlyn took out what looked like a small metal disc on the end of two rubber noodles that wrapped around his neck and placed the cold disc against my chest several times to check my breathing. He nodded and moved on to sticking a plastic stick under my armpit and took another stick to check for something inside my mouth.
These were the weirdest tests I ever had performed on myself, but it wasn’t until he took out a needle did panic started to settle in. A scream left my lips, and I backed up against the headboard.
The bedroom door slammed open and Caspian stormed in.
“What is going on here?” he asked.
“I believe the lady is afraid of needles.”
Caspian frowned and I instantly regretted my actions.
“I-I’m okay,” I muttered and scooted back over.
Caspian blocked me with his arm and narrowed his eyes at the doctor.
“What is the needle for?” he asked.
“Well, it’s just a simple blood test, I was going to take a bit of her blood –”
“No, move on to the next test.”
Marlyn is startled by Caspian’s demand but nods and puts the needle away.
“Well, that was the last test. My lady, you are severely malnourished and underweight, I believe you also have some fractured bones in your chest that never healed properly and are obstructing your breathing and blood flow. When was the last time you shifted?”
‘Oh no, what am I supposed to say?’
I looked at Caspian, but he merely gazed back at me with a blank expression. What was he going to do when he found out I had never shifted thanks to the slave mark?
“I, uh…I’ve never shifted.”
The silence in the room was so heavy, a pin would be easy to find if dropped.
“I apologize, my lady, but do you mind elaborating on that?”
“That isn’t what you’re here for. Her scars, what can be done about them?” Caspian cut in. Was that why he called a doctor so early in the morning?
“They can’t be removed with normal medicines or remedies. Scars like that can only be removed by either holy water or a strong healing substance. Both might be found in the Black Market if you want to risk dealing with those tricky Elves.”
“The chances of finding holy water are slim to none. What other healing substances are there?”
Marlyn frowned and thought it over. “Your best bet would be getting your hands on a few vials of sirens blood, it’s the most effective for healing but is known to be poisonous. I’m not sure in her current health, she would survive those effects.”
“Then it’s out of the question,” Caspian said.
“Wait, no, I can do it.”
He scoffed at me. “Don’t be ridiculous, did you not just hear him? You’re unhealthy and you won’t survive, it’s a death sentence.”
I gave him a pleading look and hoped the doctor would get the hint.
“If there isn’t anything else, I’ll leave you to it. Contact me if there is anything else,” Marlyn said and nodded his head before leaving.
“Sevika, what makes you so sure you will survive this?”
I’ve already admitted as much as I have, and instead of killing or banishing me, he called a doctor to try and heal my scars. I have started to believe Caspian isn’t anything like the rumours that have floated around about him.
“Because I have ingested Siren’s blood before, and many other poisons.”
“What?” Caspian growled. “Did you do this willingly?”
“Not exactly, but in a way, yes. It was fed to me through my adopted siblings, through either my food or drink. The first few times I didn’t know what was happening and thought I was just getting an upset stomach or sick from eating good food for a change, but it didn’t take me long to realize my symptoms were from ingesting poisoned herbs, plants and whatever else they could get their hands on.”
Caspian fell to his knees in front of me and hung his head.
“What are you doing? Please stand up!” I cried and tried to pick him up. He grabbed my hands instead and steadied me.
“Is that why you were sick at dinner last night?” he asked quietly.
“Yes, it was. It has become hard for me to eat food, just the thought makes me sick.”
He squeezed my hands. “I’m sorry,” he muttered.
“What? Why are you – ”
He stood up suddenly and marched out the door. I was stunned and remained on the floor until he returned a few minutes later with a tray of what looked like soup and a glass of water. He put the tray down on the table by the couch and walked back over to me.
To my utter shock, he picked me up and carried me over to the couch where I was plopped down in front of the tray. He then sat down across from me and took the spoon off the tray and took a spoonful of the soup, then took a sip of the water.
“Is that enough to ensure you it is safe to eat?” he asked.
I felt tears prick the corners of my eyes. Was any of this real? No one had gone to this extent just to make me feel comfortable like this, let alone from a man who is supposed to be a cruel tyrant who killed all his other wives.
“Yes, thank you, Alpha,” I whispered and took the spoon from him.
I dipped it into the bowl and managed to pick up a spoonful and smell the chicken aroma without feeling sick.
“Caspian,” he spoke suddenly.
“What?”
He cleared his throat and looked away. “Call me Caspian, we are married after all.”
I bowed my head to hide the small smile that crept onto my face and took the spoonful of soup. The instant the soothing liquid touched my tongue, it burst with sweet flavours of chicken and rice, tastes I haven’t had without experiencing crushing pain afterwards.
I could eat it freely without harm. This thought was enough to move me to tears, they streamed down my face as I continued eating. I could feel Caspian’s eyes on me the entire time and I wondered what he was thinking as he watched this pathetic girl crying over food, a girl he just agreed to marry. I wanted to ask him if he had had any regrets so far, but something told me to stay silent and just enjoy the moment.
He had shown me an ounce of kindness. I would be a fool to ask for a pound more.
Over the next few days, Caspian was present for every meal I had and tasted a piece of everything on my plate and in my glass before I touched it. He did this without being asked or it seemed without even thinking, and it both touched and tore at my heart.There was no need for him to go to this extent, so why was he? Everyone has always had ulterior motives for the overly nice things they do for someone, those motives in my experience had never been the greatest.So, was he planning anything? Or was he merely treating me nicely?Despite this positive change, things still hadn’t changed drastically between Caspian and I. It was still difficult for us to hold a conversation and it often made our meals together somewhat awkward.“There is something I’ve wanted to ask you,” he said suddenly.I nodded for him to go ahead.“You mentioned to the doctor that you have never shifted, but without a doubt, you are a werewolf. Why is that?”I sighed and got up out of my seat to circle the table t
The ride to the Rafina Pack was relatively smooth with surprisingly good weather the entire way. Caspian had made sure to run easy for me riding on top with nothing to grab but handfuls of fur that frequently slipped out between my fingers. Caspian and Jax easily disguised themselves as guards, and I dressed myself to look like a noble as best I could, hoping most wouldn’t recognize me here. I had to have looked different to some if you considered the condition I was in the last time I was in the Rafina Pack. Most couldn’t tell what my gender was despite my long hair, my face was always so dirty and my body so skinny, you couldn’t tell. I may not have put on any weight since then, but with the proper bath I was given, the hairstyle the maids gave me and my clothes, I looked like an actual person. “Where did the Elf say that gambling den was?” Caspian asked Jax. “He said it was in the marketplace, hidden in plain sight.” “That
Collinsworth met us at the alley again when the sun dipped below the horizon and the market streets became bare. He led us around the back of the empty building and to a small cellar door. He knocked three times and a slit in the door slid open, a single eye appeared.“Password?” he gruffly asked.“Ambrosia,” Collins whispered.The door rattled a couple of times before it was flung open, and a Cyclops orc took up the doorway. He eyed all of us for a few minutes before he nodded for us to get inside. The whole place stretched underground and looked like it had been thrown together recently, the wood beams still shedding from a fresh saw.There were several round tables scattered throughout the room with cards and plastic chips flying from hand to hand, as others slammed the tables and hooted loudly, the entire room filled with chaotic noise.“Where is the auction house?” I asked Collins over the mess.He pointed to the other side of the room next to the bar, where a red curtain divided
I could sense the tension from Caspian the entire way home and it makes me concerned for what awaits me when we get back to the manor. Jax stayed with us until we reached the front door but bowed his head slightly before he took off running, leaving me with the gut-wrenching feeling that I was about to face the wrath of the Alpha King.It was my first time being with a man in this way at all, I wasn’t used to such things as jealousy or knew when I was overstepping a line and being offensive. I was merely concerned about Collinsworth, who risked his life to get us in there just for something to heal my scars.Caspian waited at the front door for me to get off, then nodded with his head for me to go inside ahead of him. I gave him a hesitant look, but he nodded again and turned around to take off around the other side of the manor.“Where is he going?” I asked myself quietly.“He is going to visit his mother; he should be back later tonight.”I jumped at the sound of Carlak’s voice and
I covered my mouth in utter shock, unable to believe what I just heard.“How could they do that?” I asked.“There are many reasons, the biggest being they believed the rumours and would’ve rather die at their own hands than be tortured at mine.”“What were the other reasons?” I asked hesitantly.This seemed to be something he didn’t want to answer, but there was no going back, he had already revealed this much, and I had so many more questions.“If possible, I’d like for you to make me a promise first,” he said.I nodded.“Promise me that no matter what I say, you will listen until the end.”“Of course, I promise,” I said and sat up straight on the bed to show I was all ears.Caspian got comfortable as well at the edge of the bed and surprised me when he grabbed my hand to hold as he prepared himself.“I was born with two older siblings, a sister and a brother. I was born the weakest of the two, but since I was the youngest, there was no chance I would be next in line for the throne.
Aurora. I tested the name in my mind and was surprised at how much I liked it.“What does it mean?” I asked.“It means ‘dawn aura’ which translates in my language to ‘evening beauty’.”I hid my smile in the pillow. “Thank you, I really like it.”“If you don’t mind my asking, why were you given that name? Did your family know it means ‘slave’ in most languages?”Before I could answer her, I felt her hand brush over where the slave mark was on my neck, and she froze. “What is that?”I contemplated telling her, but something told me she already knew.“It is the slave mark my family placed on me.”She scoffed. “Is that what they told you it was? This is no slave mark, my dear. This is a mark of the Fae, an insignia meant to act as a seal. Have you always had this?”I nodded. “For as long as I can remember.”“This is something only a member of the Fae can lift, I’m afraid. They went into hiding hundreds of years ago when their species was attacked by Orcs. Much similar to Sirens, the blood
Day of the BallI sat anxiously waiting for Caspian in the drawing room. I could hear guests arrive through the front door as the halls had become a bustle of noise and laughter. It seemed to have been a long time since anyone was last allowed into the Alpha King’s castle.That just made me all the more nervous. What if people didn’t like me? What if they thought I wasn’t worthy of all this praise and affection? I had already heard the rumours circulating that the Alpha King’s new wife was a witch in disguise and she had bewitched the king into loving her.How else would anyone explain how the cold-hearted Alpha King suddenly turned into a caring and devoted husband, after he supposedly slaughtered all his previous conquests?“Are you ready, m’lady?” the butler asked.I nodded and waited as he opened the doors. I joined Caspian at the bottom of the main hall stairs, and we walked together to the ballroom. I wondered how all the girls in the room would react once they saw how well Casp
“What are you doing here?” I asked him.He looked surprised. “Seems we grew a backbone in the short time you’ve become royalty. No hug? It’s been so long since you last saw your dear brother.” Magnus opened his arms and moved toward me.I ducked away from his touch. “Have you forgotten your place? Do not touch me without permission, or I can have your hands cut off.”His eyes darkened and he growled slightly.“I think you’re the one who has forgotten her place. Does your new husband know just who you are? How we pick you up from the slums and take you in? Now look at you, acting all high and mighty before me, the person who made you who you are.”I fought the urge to spit on him. “My husband knows well who I am, and he loves me all the more for it. He did not marry me for status or reputation, or he would never have chosen our family to begin with.”“You bitch,” he snarled. In the next moment, he launched himself at me and grabbed hold of my neck to wrap his other hand around my mouth