IslaThings have been, well, more stiff since my last talk with Axel as we prepared for the surgery which was already here, and the guilt I felt for telling him off ate me up from the inside.It gave me sleepless nights, as if he had not done more than worse in the past, and that annoyed me. Why was I, the victim of betrayal and mental abuse, guilty for telling the man who just wanted to know how I felt, off?And if that wasn't worse, the mutual agreement of peace we unconsciously had because of the kids seemed like it was cancelled, as Axel never said more than two words to me.Hey, without more than a stiff nod.Bye, with no nods at all.Even the kids noticed, but they had not said anything about it yet, but as their mother, I knew it was just a matter of time.And Dante, oh Dante.Words couldn't begin your describe how our relationship was. He still managed to call me everyday, but it wasn't the same as before. It felt stiff, unlike the times before he ruined it, and after that, he

IslaThe healers commended me for the first aid I delivered to Axel, and I felt a bit of pride as they said because of my help, Axel was going to get better quickly, but we were not sure if it would be in time for the surgery, which was tomorrow.Axel offered to do the surgery despite knowing survival for him might be slim because of his fever, but still, he didn't want to jeopardise the health of our baby girl any longer, and my heart swelled with a mix of emotions I wasn't ready to unpack, at least not until I knew what exactly was the way forward.The preparations for the surgery were in full force, and I was mentally preparing myself not to break down during the surgery and be strong for my baby girl.The healer administered a drug that was sure to give Tessa energy, which made Tessa drowsy. It was counterproductive, but the healer promised it was going to show during the surgery.The healers also advised that it would be better to have the surgery tonight. I vehemently refused b

AxelMy heart rang in my head as Isla ran in, tears in her eyes as she told me Tessa had been taken.Rage clouded my vision, and I ripped myself off the bed. I could barely think of anything apart from ripping whoever took my daughter apart.My world came crashing down when I saw the nanny who was supposed to be watching her almost dead due to consumption of too many sleeping pills. She was drugged so she could be easily disposed of.The person who did this was definitely someone who knew the ins and out of this pack and the schedule of our surgery plans.I assigned a couple of guards to question the healers. They were definitely involved in the disappearance of my daughter.It could also be the last person who made them change the DNA test results. Could it really be the person in my mind?In that case, I might be too late."Spread out into every part of this pack! Houses, stores, anywhere that isn't locked and that is locked!" I barked at a large part of the guards. They all went to

IslaA little hand tugged on mine, causing my eyes to flutter open. Light flooded into my senses, compounding to the headache already throbbing at the side of my temple."Mummy," a familiar voice called, but I was still in the interval of consciousness and unconsciousness."Mummy, " the voice called again, more urgently this time around.Tristan. Surgery, Tessa, Axel.As the memories poured in, my eyes widened, and I sat up straight so fast, I almost fell unconscious because of the speed."Careful Isla." Cindy's soft voice reached me, and her hands held me up.Tristan sat at the side of my bed, watching me expectantly. We were now in a room in the clinic, the last thing I remembered was the healer saying…"So it wasn't a dream?" I whispered, my heart aching as I studied both their faces.Cindy gave a warm smile. "You didn't wait for the healer to finish, Isla.""Tessa is awake!" Tristan beamed, and since I woke up from my unconscious state, I just noticed the smile on his face.My Tes

UNKNOWN POVWith each step she took, the flowers beneath her feet withered away from the blackness of her aura, at least that is what they would have done if they felt it, but even the animals of the earth cowered before her, not wanting to be the recipient of her wrath next- they all saw what happened to the ones who did.As brutal as death, maybe even more, she stood proud. Beautiful but just as cold. If she was a weather, she would be that one day that rarely happens in the winter, where brutal hail rained just as it snowed. Even death dreaded her. She was the chess master, and she was so close to victory, she could feel it in her fingertips.Afterall, the king was hers for the taking, and she was preparing to move her final piece.Checkmate.*** AXEL’S POVIt was a joyous moment for all that the surgery was successful but I couldn’t bring myself to celebrate. Not when something continuously nagged at the back of my mind, reminding me of the things I struggled with moving on from.