[Diana’s POV]Several things had changed ever since I woke up.Vera was on leave and instead of another maid, I got a full-time butler. Since it was my father’s order, I couldn’t do anything about it either.My bodyguard had turned into my butler. From my food, to my shoes, to my perfume, and even the opening and closing of the windows and door in my room was taken care of by Zephyr.He was mysteriously allowed to stay in my room even at night like an owl on watch, and it was creepy. I’d rather have walls staring at me than a living person.Zephyr was with me every second of my day and night. He wouldn’t let me off his eyes even for a minute… “Are you coming in the bathroom with me as well?” I asked, annoyingly.“No, princess. But I am outside. You have the watch on your hand, right?” He showed me the watch he wore on his left wrist. “They are both connected. So if you sense even a slight discomfort, just hit the button. What wall, what door, I will cross them all and come right at

[Zephyr’s POV] (Reader’s discretion is advised. Proceed with caution.) (Trigger warnings: Sexual assault, graphic violence, child trafficking, mention of drug abuse.) * *** ***** *** * I was a one-night mistake. An unwanted illegitimate child of one of the strongest alphas. A son of a mother who didn’t want to give me up, so she fought the world just to keep me safe. And that was how she lost her life — trying to save me from the men that my father sent to kill me. My mother, Ilana Darkken, was once a commander of the Jupitus pack’s magic defence. She was beautiful, bold and one of the strongest witches of all time. A woman too feral to be bound, but too out of reach to be desired by all. And my illegitimate father, Vidar Jupitus, the alpha of the Jupitus pack, was one such coward who desired the storm but was too weak to take responsibility for the impact. He slept with my mother a day before his marriage with his legal wife and the current luna of the Jupitus pack, Nest

[Diana’s POV]Zephyr stood at the entrance of the fitting hall of a vintage styled gown store in the mall.His back faced the fitting hall as the slightly parted black curtains hid and revealed his figure.A beautiful violin concerto was playing on the record subtly while I tried on various gowns. None of them suited my taste because I wasn’t paying attention to any of them. My eyes involuntarily went to the reflection of Zephyr’s figure in the floor to ceiling mirror before me.Zephyr hadn’t said a word since that time in the parking lot. It’s already been two hours, and he wasn’t even complaining about why I was taking so long shopping. Not that he was in a position to complain.He is my bodyguard, it’s his job. Not like we are on a date or something that he’d care about in time. I entered the changing room and put on a corset boned, sleeveless, sheer black gown. It hid my breasts and body below my hips. The material from below my breasts to waist was a black net with corset bones

[Zephyr’s POV]The prom night.“Do I look ok?” I had asked Archer to help me dress up.“You look marvellous,” he said, fixing my crooked tie. “Just perfect.”“Thank you,” I said.In this second life, one thing that I regret losing is the bonding I had with Archer. For me he still meant a lot, but for him… I was just Ilana’s son. Although there was no difference between his warmth, yet I could feel that our bonding was no longer as strong as it used to be.In this life I had lost my mana genes, the wizard part of me and that is why Archer and alpha Urza had their doubts when I told them I was Ilana’s son, the kid they had been searching for. That is why they went to Goredom to confirm my identity.“So, in your previous life I found you?” Archer asked.I nodded then looked at the floor.“How exactly did we meet?” He asked.“You saved me.” I said.“Is that so? Pardon me for asking such an insensitive question, kid. But were we close?”I smiled faintly as I looked into his eyes. “You were

[Diana’s POV] “I don’t understand…” I mumbled, stepping away from him. “Princess?” “Are you sorry about us? About the time we spent together? About patiently listening to my stupid rants that had nothing to do with you? Are you sorry for caring for me and saving me so many times? I don’t understand… How can you love me and be sorry about it?” “No princess,” he stepped closer to me. “I…” “Are you sorry that we met?” “No, princess…” “Are you sorry for marrying me? I know it’s on paper, yet it’s still marriage and legally we are husband and wife, you know…” “It was an honour…” “Are you sorry for faking the mate bond with me? Do you feel trapped with me? Are you with me just because I saved your life and you feel indebted?” “No, princess.” “So, what are you sorry about? Why are you apologising? I don’t understand. I just don’t get it…” My heart pulsated against my chest as breaths went half-way into my lungs and then were pushed back out. “Princess?” “What the hell are you so