SKYLA. The entire hall falls silent, the buzz of chattering fades away, the tinkling of glasses being placed down soon stops too and the soft laughter fades into nothing…. The rustling of fabric stops, as everyone pays attention to the king. “Some of you may have heard rumours, but for the majority, this will come as a shock. Our world has been at peace for years now. Bridges have been built and we have progressed in many ways. Something that was only possible because of the efforts of many.” Dad begins. “However, in recent years, there have been some odd occurrences… things that are unexplainable or unheard of before - having begun appearing. Not to mention visions and prophecies that point to something far bigger to come.” Dad glances around, giving them a moment to let the words sink in before continuing. “There’s so much that is still a mystery, and it is partially the reason we abstained from sharing this with the public. There are things that shouldn’t even be on this plane

ROYCE. My heart is racing as I hear their footsteps approach. I’d recognise Mom’s heartbeat anywhere… and right now it’s racing as she steps inside the office that I’m waiting in. She doesn’t know that today I haven’t just brought myself to her, but someone else too. “Royce,” her voice is thick as she fights her emotions. I turn and give her a smile. She looks beautiful in a white dress that lights up her eyes. The first woman in my life, the first goddess who I’ll always respect, the woman who went through so much pain to bring me onto this planet. My mother. She stops in the doorway, her eyes glimmering with tears that she’s so desperately trying to contain, and I close the gap between us, pulling her into my arms. “Royce,” she whispers as she clutches onto me tightly. “Thank the gods.” She cups my face, tugging me down and kisses my forehead and cheeks as a few tears trickle down her cheeks. She’s examining my face as if making sure I’m not hurt… just like she used to do l

SKYLA.“Are you two coming with me?” I ask the moment I hear the sound of heels behind me.Delsanra is standing there, arms crossed, as she watches me.“Well, we have to. No one is to move around alone,” Azura says, and I glance over my shoulder at her.“Exactly,” Delsanra says with a grin as they both fall into step beside me.The main thing Leo and Dad made clear is that everyone tries to make sure that Aleric remains in the main hall.The last I saw of him as I snuck out was Dad walking over to him and Kenneth.If he tries something, we’ll be alerted, but I don’t know, I’m feeling uneasy, and I shouldn’t be… not with the fact that I’m going to go meet Royce. From here on out, we’ll be together.“The blood moon…” Azura whispers as she stares out of the window.I glance out of it, staring at the moon that now holds a red hue, one that no human eye can really see.It’s radiant, its energy simmering through me, and beside me, I can feel Azura’s aura rising.“I'm so damn uneasy,” I mutte

CATHERINE. I look up when the door opens and although I’m expecting Skyla, my son’s mate, it’s not her, but Kenneth. His face is pale as he stares at Royce in shock before that changes to relief in his eyes at the sight of our son. Oh, if only he knows that even our little baby girl is alive! “Royce… you’re alive… I got worried…” he says as he slowly enters the room. “I sensed your emotions, Catherine… I…” Winona instantly turns her face away and Marcel pulls her into his arms, turning slightly as if shielding her from Kenneth’s view. And even Royce steps forward, blocking her from view. I find it odd. Does she not want to meet him? But something is definitely wrong. Even Marcel’s demeanour has changed. “I am alive. Are you surprised, Father?” Royce asks quietly. “What is the meaning of this? Why are you meeting like this? Why did you lie about being dead?” Dad asks as he looks between Royce and me. His eyes glimmer with anger. “He’s alive, Ken! What more do we need? And, t

SKYLA. I’m living in a nightmare I want to wake up from. One where my body is no longer mine. Blinding lightning flashes outside and the bang of thunder follows as the entire place is plunged into darkness. I hope with all my heart that Royce felt my pain and knows something is wrong, not that I want him in pain, but I need him to know I need him. Yeah, this is me, the useless Lycan princess who can’t even protect anyone else, let alone herself. Aleric caresses my cheek, and I can’t even pull away. His touch disgusts me. Yes, the sparks of the dulled bond are there and I thank the heavens that Royce and I marked one another. Our bond has lessened the effects of my bond with Aleric, but even if we hadn’t marked one another, this man has nothing to draw me to him. A thousand fucking bonds wouldn’t be enough, but… whatever this shit is, it’s powerful, and it’s made me into his fucking puppet. I force myself to shift, to do anything! Just to get him away from me! Move, fuck, Skyla!