Aurelia's POVI spent the rest of the day with my friends. It felt really good to address them like that. We spoke at length about whatever came to mind and I found myself smiling much more than I would on a normal day. My chest area felt free and light like I had just offloaded a year's worth of responsibility and problems.The revelation of Emma's attitude was behind me and I tried not to think of how much she had taken advantage of my kindness and used me-- all for what? To make me fall on the wrath of Liam. It was still hard to believe that she would go that far.It was hard not to try to tie my kidnapping to her but somehow, I was trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. No one was allowed to be that evil. No one.I exhaled as I sat on my bed. It was evening already and my friends were outside, guarding me from whatever danger that lurked. Mira would be taking the first watch while Hunter and Carlos would take turns.Liam was busy all day so I couldn't get to see him. I had a
Liam's POV"The border after Purple Sun City is bubbly with lots of activities these days, your highness," Elder Thelma drew my attention to her. She was with her cup of tea so early in the morning.Sometimes, I wondered if my elders don't get tired of morning meetings. I had a mate to go back to but here I was, trying my hardest to remaining calm and composed like I had all the time in the world."I hear their Alpha has a bone to pick with that other thing that keeps buzzing everywhere," Elder Lucas chipped in."Norton, you mean?" Elder Thelma helped and he nodded. She sighed, "Ay ay, why are the young ones of this generation always making trouble? It's a good thing our King is more matured and cannot even be compared in the same sentence with those things.""Adrian, I hear that's his name, should be of age to have a Luna. Maybe he'll just end up picking whatever comes to mind," Elder Elfreda spoke.Morning meetings usually went like this. They would gossip and have me sit through it
Liam's POVI stared at Emma with a blank expression on my face while hers looked at me with expectations, desperation as the tears continued to pour. She sniffed and rubbed her face on her arm."I know you don't feel the same way," she said after a while when she figured I wasn't going to respond to her. "I know that and I can't deceive myself but," she took a step forward. "Aurelia is not ready to be queen. She can never do it the way I would-""She'll do it differently," I replied out of impulse. "She'll do it in her own way.""I don't think you understand, your Highness," she tried again. "You cannot force her to love the City. I love the City and would do anything to protect it-""She risked her life to save warriors that were competing in the sacred woods. A woman as kind hearted as that- ready to even sacrifice her own life for people she barely knows- does not need to grow into loving something," I defended. "She sees the need to protect everything. That is a woman worthy to be
Emma's POV"You have such a lovely girl, Louise," the queen praised with a smile as she stared at me hiding behind my mother with my doll in my hand. She was a beautiful woman with long dark hair touching her waist. Her smile was lazy and tired and her eyes looked like she could use some sleep.That was the first time I met the queen. I had escorted my mother to the Castle for the first time in my life. I ended up wandering away from their presence as they talked and laughed about things I didn't understand.I looked over the Castle with wide eyes, marvelling at everything I saw. I had never been to a place this beautiful and sparkly before. I noticed a door was open and I slipped through it. The room was twice as wide as the queens and there was a nice scent that lingered.There was a boy sitting on a chair with his back turned to me. He was in dark blue robes. The colour matched his dark hair and the nape of his neck was so fair. I didn't know how long I stared at the beautiful sigh
Aurelia's POV"You are going to be queen!" Mira squealed so much that I winced with my hands over my ears. My cheeks hurt as I had been smiling so much. Who knew Mira could produce this much excitement?"Congratulations to you both," Hunter gave a thumbs up. "You'll do fine as queen."I wasn't so certain about that. In fact, I wasn't sure at all. I knew nothing about being queen. But Hunter assured me that the King would take care of it. I knew that. I could totally rely on Liam.I had been so uncomfortable under their stare. They placed so much expectations of me in their eyes that I feared jumping down from it to my own trust in myself, would break my back. I didn't want to let them down but I also didn't want to feel too pressured."You two are a perfect couple," Renee chipped in. She had come along to serve me lunch when she heard the news. Her eyes were wide with excitement as everyone was caught in the jubilating spirit."You're the ice to the Lycan King's fierceness," she said
Aurelia's POV"Emma," Liam called her name in a stern voice that left no room for chit-chats.I turned to the guards at the door. "Leave us," they bowed at the simple command and they walked out of the hallway.I stared at the door, almost drilling a hole through it."I know you don't trust me," I replayed Emma's words. "But I warned you, didn't I? He'll get tired of you-""You're wrong," I had retorted and stood firm on Liam's interest in me and his daily dose of affection."Then follow me, Aurelia. Follow me and listen to him explain himself. How about that?" She had suggested in a tone I couldn't refuse.So here I was, penned down by curiosity and holding onto the strong faith that my mate was with me because he loved me and not because he had been waiting to get information on the plant that could make him go through a smoother rejection."You're back," he said with no surprise in his voice, like he knew she would return no matter how far she decided to go away from him. "Why are
Aurelia's POVI lost count of the minutes that felt like hours in his arms but when he cupped my face, there was worry in his eyes.His eyes were so sincere. He brushed his thumbs over my cheeks and his frown deepened."You're crying again," he said more to himself than to me, almost like he was trying to figure out why all on his own.It was a sight that broke my heart even further. This man who would do anything for me would betray my trust? I didn't want to believe it.I didn't even realise I was crying until he mentioned it. I was that much of a mess in my head already.My thoughts were eating me alive like they were paid to specifically do so. Every scenario played in my head. How would he do it?When would he do it? Would he look me in the eye like he was doing now? Would he still have that look of worry and affection in his eyes?I didn't want to picture Liam being so cold to me. We were already past that stage. I liked the phase we were in now. It was nothing but a soft pat of
Aurelia's POVLeaves crunched under my feet as I zoomed past the crickets of the night leaving my tears behind.I had no control over them. They could do whatever they wanted. They couldn't stop me from leaving, not even the howling of my wolf in my head.Her sadness was like a pitchfork pierced into my guts and twisted only to be ripped out leaving nothing but a hollow of anguish inside of me.I bit down hard on my lip, not caring when I tasted blood. My heart, after all, was bleeding too. The betrayal stung hard. The last thread I thought I jumped onto had been a figment of my imagination.With no money, no food, no destination in mind, I just ran. The further I ran deep into the woods the more the mate bond throbbed in my heart.My wolf was yet to accept it. She didn't want to believe it. The man we put our trust in had let us down strongly.She was in denial but I was already making the decision for us.He would be furious to find me gone but this was the best for both of us. Sinc