Chapter 43
The little girl is back again.
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This time, she’s curled beneath a massive wooden bedframe, her knees hugged tightly to her chest, just as her mother told her to. Her wide eyes brim with fear, darting toward every shadow. But how long has she been there?
The room is cloaked in darkness now no sliver of light from the doorway, no warmth from a lantern or candle. Just silence. The kind that makes your chest tighten.
Her small hands press against her belly as it growls with hunger. She shivers and whispers, “Mum?” But there’s no reply.
She waits a little longer. Her stomach growls louder this time, and she flinches at the sound. Hunger begins to outweigh fear.
Slowly, she crawls out from beneath the bed, dust clinging to her clothes. Her bare feet pat softly across the cold floor as she pushes open the door and tiptoes into a hallway that takes my breath away.
It’s grand–overwhelming, even. Marble stretches from floor to ceiling, polished to such a gleam it reflects her tiny form as she walks. Thick red banners bearing a crest hang from the high ceiling, swaying gently with a breeze she cannot feel. Gold lines the corners, catching the faintest hint of light. It looks like a place meant for royalty… but it feels abandoned. Lonely.
She wraps her arms around her rumbling stomach. “Mum…” she murmurs again, eyes flicking around lost. “Tom?” she adds, as if calling out to a friend.
No response.
Then–yelling.
Her head snaps toward the large, ornate doors at the far end of the hall. One of them is slightly ajar. Curiosity overtakes fear. She pads toward it, her tiny fingers pressing against the heavy wood as she peeks inside.
It’s a massive chamber thick with tension. Dozens of people–warriors, elders, nobles–stand in a semi–circle around three imposing thrones at the far end.
The center throne towers above the rest, almost menacing in size. Someone sits upon it, but his face is hidden in shadow, blurred–like her mind refuses to remember him.
A voice echoes through the hall, deep and commanding. It sends a chill down her spine.
“Your Highness, you must make the decision now. For the good of the pack.”
Then, another voice–strong, yet aching. It cracks something inside me.
“How can you all expect me to sacrifice… my only daughter?” A pause. “I am her father.”
The first voice cuts back in, cold and merciless. “Being an Alpha comes before your duty as a father. You must do whatever it takes.”
She grips the edge of the door, eyes wide, lips trembling. Then, barely above a whisper: “Dad…”
Everything blurs.
I jolt awake with a gasp.
My eyes flutter open slowly, blinking against the soft light streaming through the curtains. The ceiling greets me–familiar, comforting.
I’m home.
Well… this home. Jack’s home.
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13:27 Söt, 21 Juh ata
Chapter 43
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I sit ip slowly, the comforter slipping down to my waist. A soft sigh escapes my lipt as I press my fingers to my temple. My head feels herry, burdened with a thousand unanswered questions. That dream… no, not just a dream. A memory. The third one now. The Sitle girl me
And her last word… Dad.
That was my father wasn’t it? The second dream was about my mother. The first, I’m almost certain, was me in the witch’s host.
Completing the mating bond with Jack will unlock the rest–I know it. Every missing piece will fall into place once it’s done.
“Fuck,” groan, tugging at the roots of my hair as frustration blooms inside me. I want the truth, I need it—but the idea of completing the bond with Jack just to unlock my past makes me feel like I’m using him somehow.
Except… I don’t regret a single moment with him. In fact, I’ve cherished every second. It’s like killing two birds with one stone–reclaiming my memories and stopping Celestia from being introduced before me.
I swing my legs off the bed, about to stand when something catches my eye.
A note.
It’s folded neatly on my nightstand. I frown, reaching for it and unfolding the paper.
“I wish I could keep watching you sleep, beautiful, but unfortunately t have pack business to deal with. Jasmine will be there soon to help you prepare for tonight’s celebration.”
My lips twitch.
“Aww, he called us beautiful,” my wolf coos dreamily.
“Calm down,” I mutter, rolling my eyes. “That’s the bare minimum. Have some dignity.”
My wolf snarls in protest. “Speaking of dignity–guess who walked in on us with jack? Lady Celestia. She saw us.”
That gives me pause. I don’t remember anything after losing consciousness in Jack’s arms. I must’ve blacked out from the pleasure.
“Good,” I say aloud. “Maybe now she’ll finally give up and return to whatever gold–plated rock she crawled out from.”
But my wolf’s tone turns wary. “Kali… the look in her eyes before she walked out. I don’t think she’s done. I’ve got a bad feeling.”
I open my mouth to respond, but a knock on the door makes me jump, heart leaping into my throat. I whirl around, startled.
“Coming!” I call out, already hurrying to the front door.
The second I pull it open, I’m greeted by the sight of Jasmine nearly toppling over under a ridiculous number of bags–over her shoulders, arms, and even clutched between her teeth.
“Oh my goddess–Jas!” I exclaim, grabbing some of the bags from her arms before she faceplants.
She lets out a dramatic huff, spitting out the handle she’d held with her teeth. “Finally! I thought I’d die right here on your doorstep and you’d just step over my corpse.”
I laugh, taking more of the bags and leading her inside. “What the hell is all this? You moving in?”
“They’re your clothes, dummy,” Jasmine grunts, tossing a bag onto the bed. “Jack asked me to get you a whole new wardrobe–and a killer dress for tonight’s introduction ceremony. Apparently, your current wardrobe consists of one shirt and a pair of attitude.”
She smirks and pulls out a dress from one of the bags. I pause, fingers brushing the soft fabric of a deep sapphire–blue gown–elegant and flowing.
“You… picked out all these?”
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18.27 $81, JAIN
Chapter 47
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Yeah, we I was sure about your style, so I grabbed a bunch of options. Don’t complained had to argue with a snobby designer who wanted to charge triple because a una deserves premium 161. She mimics air quotes, rolling her eyes.
A bump rises in my throat. Seeing this someone putting in the effort, caring enough to do this for me it hits harder than I expected.
“Thanks” mormat, voice soft as we start sorting the dresses, sleepwear, and undergarments into the once–empty drawers. My cheeks burn a little at some of the more intimate pieces.
“The whole pack is going nuts,” Jasmine says after a beat, glancing at me with a mischievous grin. “Apparently, the Alpha King’s daughter stormed out of the territory with all her guards. Everyone’s whispering that it’s your fault. What the hell did you do to make her run before a formal introduction?”
shrug, trying to look innocent “It’s a secret.”
Her jaw drops. “Oh, my goddess.” She grabs a pillow and smacks me lightly. “You savage.”
I wink and duck her next swing
She drops the pillow, leaning her hip against the drawer. “So… does this mean you’re accepting my brother.”
1 blink, surprised. “How the hell did you know I rejected him in the first place?”
Jasmine smirks and points to my neck. “Uh, no mark?”
I open my mouth to argue–then freeze. “But… you don’t have a mark either.” I fire back.
Jasmine’s smile falters. Her cheeks flush a deep red, and she quickly looks away. I curse under my breath, mediately wishing I hadn’t said anything.
I didn’t mean-
“It’s fine,” she cuts in, forcing a small smile. “Mine’s… complicated.”
I bite my lip, holding back the words I want to say. I saw him–the arsehole beta who thought hitting a woman was strength. She doesn’t deserve that. No one does. Her pain is still raw, and I can see it in her eyes. I look away, giving her the dignity of not dragging it out.
She clears her throat and says softly, “But my brother isn’t like that. He’s not the big bad Alpha he pretends to be, Kali. Jack’s got a good heart.”
I sit down on the edge of the bed. “I’m still thinking about it. About him. I just want to make sure he’s not playing some long game, you know?”
She gives me a faint smile. “Also….If it’s the pack you’re worried about, don’t be. They don’t actually like Lady Celestia. It’s her title they’re obsessed with. She’s the Alpha King’s daughter. Power. Prestige. Everyone wants a piece of that.”
She laughs bitterly. “Honestly, for all we know, you could be the Alpha King’s daughter and they’d be lining up to kiss your ass.”
I burst out laughing, the thought too ridiculous–too absurd.“Oh please! Imagine me, a daughter of an Alpha king. I’d trip walking into a royal hall and –flash the whole kingdom.”
Jasmine laughs so hard she snorts. “And I’d be there filming it.”
We both dissolve into laughter–the kind that makes your stomach ache and your eyes water. When it finally fades, Jasmine wipes a tear from her cheek.
“It’s been a long time since I laughed like this,” she says softly, her smile dimming just a little.
I reach out and gently squeeze her hand. “Same here.”
Her expression shifts, becoming more serious as she straightens up. “Alright, enough of the mushy stuff. Let’s try on the dresses. We’re running out of time–the party’s tonight.”
I start flipping through the dresses until my fingers stop on the deep blue one I saw earlier. I pull it out, letting the fabric drape elegantly over my arm.
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Chapter 43
“Oooh, Jasmine coos “it only you had a bhre necklace to go with that, you’d look stunning”
Bhie necklace.
My fingers twitch at the memory.
think…“whisper, dropping the dress on the bed, “I might have something.”
Jasmine’s eyes flash the unmistakable sign she’s mindlinking.”Okay, I’ll see you at the party! I’ve gotta run,” she says quickly before bolting for the door.
“Jas–wait!” I call after her, but she’s already gone.
gh, staring at the door with a tight feeling in my chest. I don’t need anyone to tell me who called her.
Her mate–Beta Khaos.
God, I hope she’ll be okay.
Shaking off the unease, I hurry to my wardrobe. I search through the drawers, shuffling through the clothes and bags until I see it–right at the bottom. My bag of gold tucked into the corner like it was placed there with care.
Jack
He must’ve kept it safe for me, without ever asking how I came to possess that much money.
I open the bag, my hands trembling as I pull out a velvet pouch and loosen the strings. Inside lies the delicate blue necklace. It catches the light, the sapphire at its center shimmering like the ocean.
I hesitate. The last time I wore this–it burned me. Scorched my skin like I wasn’t worthy.
But now….
I slowly lift it, cradling it like something precious. My heart races as I press the cool metal against my skin.
No pain. No burning.
Just warmth.
Relief blooms in my chest and I fasten the necklace around my neck, then step toward the mirror. I stare at my reflection.
The sapphire glows softly at my throat, my dark curls cascading over my shoulders.
I look… different.
Hook like someone who belongs.
Not just here.
But everywhere.
“Almost like royalty,” I whisper, lightly touching the pendant, a small smile tugging at my lips.
And suddenly… I wonder if Jasmine’s joke wasn’t a joke at all.
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-Chapter 43
“Oooh, Jasmine coos. “it only you had a blue necklace to go with that, you’d look stunning.”
Blee necklace
My fingers, twitch at the memory.
“I think…“I whisper, dropping the dress on the bed, “I might have something.”
Jasmine’s eyes flash–the unmistakable sign she’s mindlinking. “Okay, I’ll see you at the party! I’ve gotta run,” she says quickly before bolting for the door.
“Jas–wait!” I call after her, but she’s already gone.
Isigh, staring at the door with a tight feeling in my chest. I don’t need anyone to tell me who called her.
Her mate–Beta Khaos.
God, I hope she’ll be okay.
Shaking off the unease, I hurry to my wardrobe. I search through the drawers, shuffling through the clothes and bags until I see it–right at the bottom. My bag of gold tucked into the corner like it was placed there with care.
Jack.
He must’ve kept it safe for me, without ever asking how I came to possess that much money.
I open the bag, my hands trembling as I pull out a velvet pouch and loosen the strings. Inside lies the delicate blue necklace. It catches the light, the sapphire at its center shimmering like the ocean.
I hesitate. The last time I wore this–it burned me. Scorched my skin like I wasn’t worthy.
But now….
I slowly lift it, cradling it like something precious. My heart races as I press the cool metal against my skin.
No pain. No burning.
Just warmth.
Relief blooms in my chest and I fasten the necklace around my neck, then step toward the mirror. I stare at my reflection.
The sapphire glows softly at my throat, my dark curls cascading over my shoulders.
I look… different.
I look like someone who belongs.
Not just here.
But everywhere.
“Almost like royalty,” I whisper, lightly touching the pendant, a small smile tugging at my lips.
And suddenly… I wonder if Jasmine’s joke wasn’t a joke at all.
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