Alpha Jasper's POV Seeing Rain again after all those lonely weeks, was incredible. We are mates, the mate bond came right in when we looked into each other's eyes. She immediately felt she belonged with me and crawled delightfully into my arms. Just like old times. Jax went crazy with happiness, he too, craved her warmth and arms around us. Rain has always been very physical, which was the biggest loss during our separation. And then the hesitation when she asked me if I could accept her now that she was pregnant with another. As far as I know, mated she-wolves can only get pregnant by their mate. And I am her mate, a union empowered by the Moon Goddess during our mating ceremony more than three years ago. I could never have imagined that this situation would arise in our relationship. I always thought we were solid and strong. But here we are, the King himself has set his eyes on my mate, knowing she is already mated. For sure, he knew because the mati

King Ralph's POV Saray has changed. Since she came back from Human Town, she's withdrawn into herself. And she no longer wants me to touch her or go near her. She no longer hides her face in my chest as she often did and doesn't wait for me on the terrace after work anymore. Nor does she come to the dining room to spend time with the family; she has her food delivered to her apartment. Since her return, I have seen her only once and that was when she got off the Royal Jet. She had greeted me coldly with no physical contact, leaving me confused even then. But I had dismissed it as pregnancy quirks. But we are now a week on and her behavior is staying the same. And I'm done with that, today I want answers from her. Our mating is in a few weeks and I don't want any tension between us. It should be a day of love and happiness that we later look back on with joy. I now walk with her lunch to her apartment. When I arrive, I ring the doorbell. Of course, she thinks it's one

My mouth falls open."Earlier now? Why so suddenly?" I ask agonized. I hadn't counted on this. Ralph Ralph has decided unilaterally that the mating will take place in three days. After that one afternoon, he came to my apartment, he made no further attempt to see or speak with me. And now he has such a message delivered to me. It is as if my input doesn't matter in all this. Eric looks at me expressionlessly. "The King has decided. If you need any explanation, you will have to ask him for that yourself, my Queen," he adds aloofly. My heart beats in my chest.I have been waiting to hear from Jasper for a week and a half. He had promised to come to get me and now there was little time left. What has held him up? Distraught, I stare at the Secretary. "But I'm not ready yet. I need more time," I whispered helplessly. Eric stands up and makes a brief bow to me. "Discuss that with the King, please," he replies briefly and leaves the room, Ivor following behind

After blinking my eyes a few times, I wake up.As I lie still for a few minutes to get my bearings, I feel a beam of light on my face. I turn to the side where it is coming from. Then I see it. It comes from outside through the thin curtains in my bedroom. After taking some breaths, I throw my feet over the edge of the bed and walk to the window. As I slide the curtains aside, my heart skips a beat. Right in front of me, the Full Moon stares directly at me. It has a bright red border but is as white as snow. It feels like something personal between it and me, like it has a score to settle with me. With large worried eyes, I stare back at it, wondering what doom it foretells this time. Tomorrow is the mating ceremony, where Ralph will also mark me and then bind me to him forever. Does this moon challenge me because I can no longer avert my fate? With a tug I close both curtains blocking the light from this bad omen. I turn my back to the window and bury my face desperately in my ha

Rain's POV This is the day when my nightmare becomes real.According to the program, the mating ceremony will be held in the late afternoon, followed by a reception for the guests to congratulate Ralph and me. After the official part, there will be a Lycans and werewolves run in the woods around the Kingdom. This last one in particular, scares the hell out of me. I have no wolf and that will become clear today. I'd like to know what explanation Ralph has ready for everyone as to why I can't join the run. Looking at the clock on my nightstand, I notice that it is already around ten o'clock.Next to me, Elena is still asleep. I fold my hands behind my head and stare at the ceiling. Jasper only has a few hours left to show up here. If he doesn't come, I will be forced to figure out myself how to get to him. I don't own a car in the Kingdom. And I doubt any of the guests would dare to give me a ride to Human Town. When I reach the city, I can go to a bank to