Chapter Twenty–Four
Von POV
Time elapsed, stretching out listlessly.
It’d been almost two weeks since the fateful night I’d heard the distinctive cry in the night, and I discovered the existence of the child. A precious baby girl that Kadden was intent on hiding from the rest of the world in the bowels of the manor. Though now I could see that it wasn’t done mit of shame, it was fear of what could happen to the child.
The morning following our conversation I’d woken up bright and early, insuring to be in his room when he awoke. I continued on with the list of chores he demanded that I do, but I simply didn’t have my usual temperament, I was solemn and quiet even Kadden sensed the differences inside of me. I simply didn’t have it in me to tell him the truth of what could be going on inside of my mind,
Then when darkness descended I escaped the confines of my bedroom, lost to my own thoughts. I knew I wasn’t acting my usual self. Having failed to go on my evening walks and didn’t climb to my secret hiding place on the roof. I was lost in the turned of my mind, the existence of that innocent child had affected me deeper than 1 thought. Her presence there was an umeanted reminder of the childhood I’d known all the pain and
suffering
Curled up on the bed beneath the blankets I couldn’t deny the tears that leaked down my face, to pool on the sheets. I was so miserable here. I wanted to go home. To my beloved mountains. I missed the tiny town I’d come to know as home, the welcoming hearts and warm acceptance of the people. I missed the great Alpha who’d taken me into his home, showing me just how strong I was. I’d become a different person in Elk Springs, proving that I was someone wonh knowing. Someone worth loving
Yet, even as much as I wanted to escape this dreadful place, I knew leaving wasn’t possible at this point. Dumond had reminded me of the dangers Id be accepting into my life if I thought to be free. When werewolves were granted their destined mates, being apart for too long could be their undoing. To be denied the mate bood granted to them the wolves became weakened shells of themselves, which ultimately killed them. Only by bring reacquainted with the bond building between them enabled them to survive
Fuck.
Now because the goddess had cursed me to yet another mar, I was cursed to spend my life with a man who didn’t want me. And he didn’t, I knew. Even as improved as things had become between us, I knew he was no more accepting of the bond. I was destined to spend the rest of my life with a man who never wanted me, never to know love. Never to have a family. No child of my own to fill the hollowness of my heart, to carry on my bloodline when I was gone.
It was why I was secretly hoping that I’d be placed in my breeding season following that first morning together. Electing that I might be cursed in this place, stuck with him, but I could have a child of my own. Even when I refused to accept the hope hiuilding up inside of me, and still been there all the same. Only it’d been in the first weeks when I suspected that the mating between us hadn’t been cemented I’d been last week when I was forced to face the truth, as a child hadn’t been planned inside of me. I was alone. As I always would be.
I often found myself standing
The only solace in the painfilled existence called my own was when I snuck downstairs. During the shadows of night, in the secret tursery, watching the baby. I knew I could never claim her, her difference made it impossible, but it warmed my heart to be there. Lisalud even stopped trying to talk me from being there, though she refused to allow me to touch the baby. Just being near her somehow made things better for me, it lifted my spirits, giving me something to look forward to every night
It was in the third week when it happened. I was downstairs in the kitchen preparing to retrieve Kadden’s lunch, when I suddenly froze. A prickling sensation slithered down my spine as an ominous presence bore down on me. A strength and power in that presence I’d never felt before, proof of the deadly creature that’d come. Turning a deaf ear to the conversation I was having with Serina, I slowly crept out of the kitchen. Slowly I followed the essence of that power to the front of the manor, where a dark–haired man stood.
Dressed in an exquisitely expensive pinstriped suit, his black hair was cut short at the ears, medicarely handsome. Immediately I knew that this man was of wolf descent, but there was something different about him. Never giving myself the chance to wonder what that could be, I reacted purely on instinct. In the next moment, the newcomer found himself thrown across the room, and I bare down on him. “Who the fuck are you?”
He climbed to his feet, brushing off has ir pants. “Damn woman, you are quite strong for one so young. I don’t believe I’ve ever been caught unaware, not even Alpha Kadden can do that.”
I bared fangs. “Why are you here?”
“My name is Simon,” he extended a hand in greeting. “I’m here to see Kadden”
Don’t, the goddess spoke. Don’t touch him.
I was trying to figure out what the goddess was trying to forewarn me when suddenly Alpha Kadden was there. He came to stand directly in front of me, effectively blocking Simons access to me. He stared down his nose. “Von, I’m sure you have something to occupy your time.”
1 brailed. Tm-“.
“Dont.” Diamond’s voice came into my mind right then, keeping me from doing anything that I’d later regret, “Rhavage told me Simon is a
Kennant
That decided me. Loffered Kadden a soft smile assuring I understood his need to get me out of there, then slipped out of the room. However, only disappeared around the comer, waiting to see what would happen between the men. The second that Kadden led him to his private office, waiting long enough neither would sense any presence. Confident neither would notice I stepped around the corner, making my way towards the office, I pressed against the door,
Chapter Twenty four
We dready went through this. Simon was telling him.
What had they gone through”
Kadden was muttering beneath his breath. “Tin hilly aware of what we were previously discusseil, but we both kim hon shini i now about. My mili is dead. My child is gone Larken will have todas)
שה
Sanon grashed his teeth. “That boy it fit to be alpha of the pack, let alone King of the kingdoms. The bow has lout how adden I’ve handl reports, hopping from vise bed in the next, the excessive drinking Leven know in the mouths he tosik over he let our kingikan defenseless, and Exiled to respond to the needs of our people.
“He’s just a child” the alpha prosesied
This already been decided” Sumon spoke with such an authoniy in his voice, the same commanding tone kalden hood. “My brother and 1 loise lost faith in the boy a abulty, and without a mate, he will never tise to power. The counal is completel opbound wily cut decision. Il a ten lein isti produced, then we will replace another of our chooung”
Kadden.growled 1 am the fucking kung
“By muamage, not birthright. Don’t forget Kadden the only reason you are the king is because of Sarah, yosi werent blooded by the
“My daughter is, he offered.
Simon snickered. “You honestly expect us to allow a female to sit upon the throne, especially our that has been sintemest. Besides, Travess Laçlı
sn’t the appropriate fur for our taler. We want antale heir, at the very least athen who was transed for the postam expected ist them
Aware that I was able to get enght it I stayed for too much longer, Tslowly backed away from the door. Twaveleng nie wag anound the cornerat the wall when suddenly I came face to face with Laken Gmaang malistaste and speed the um starine sdomu a inc. Tkiew Thalon getour ofsbere quickly Ducking my head attempted to shuffle off to the kitchen, where I knew I would hand sanctuary among the women
Larken immediately dew into action at sering my attention 1 found my body booked into the wall. A lund cam blocking me into the enclosure of his ass “Hello Doll he med i seductive alur
came down on either side of my head.
my torck. “There’s no
I acted in reflex. “Thuve work sir
“You’re not one of our servants. Larken attempted to inform noe, a hand came up to touch the sale of my lace and downs to any tes way a strong and beaundul creature like yourself could be an Omega”
My skin crawled at the touch of this muin, my stomachi roiling at the scrist et alcohol watteid trims his lips, ljuthat uwurmt 1 was disginted at the mIN he’d grown into, wondering how I could’ve ever been tracted to him. Price Laken please let me go. I don’t know what you are used to by the women around here, but it isn’t going to happen widome.
His hand clamped down on a supple hap, dragging it closer to him, causing our boshes us rib together. He grimesd wickedly. “Oh, baby don’t pretend Like you don’t want on this ride”
Growing angry at the realization this mun fully intended to force subusson out of me, I did hold bark. Hands stamnest roughly inothecenter of his chest, sending the man flying back from me. I grashed my teeth at lum “Listen here latle boy no means no Estonin care if you are fucking. royalty. Besides I need a real man, nor child playing at adulthood.”
Growling in anger at the moult committed to his pride, Larken lunged off the floor and raced after me. He latched a fost on my throat and slammed me up against the wall, smarting viciously. “Ill show you a little boy”
Frightened at the thought of what he was prepared to do. I slammed a knee into his grom area. As the man collapsed on the ground swearing vengeance. I flew up the stairs and went to my champers. Locking the door I then slipped through the second door ino Kallen’s, locking that dour too. Then seeking safety in the expanse of his bed, I prayed that Kaddenscame out of his meeting before Larken foundine.
Chapter Twenty-
