Tanya’s POVI am curious to see the owner of the voice and I peer towards the door. A very pretty young woman enters the hall, and she is not alone. Her arms are intertwined with an equally handsome man and they look like a very lovely couple. They both exude a majestic and noble aura and I am very certain that they are either Royalty or Nobility. My suspicion is confirmed when the crowd suddenly bow their head very low and part ways for the couple to pass through. They are flanked by bodyguards with a few maids and servants trailing behind them.“The First Prince, Eric and his fiancée, Lily,” a servant yells and almost immediately, everyone genuflects, everyone except Marco and I. I don’t understand what is going on and I am certain that Marco, as the Second Prince and the most powerful Lycan in the kingdom is not obligated to genuflect.“You can all rise,” Eric says in a rich, smooth, baritone voice that I am certain can charm lots of women. The whole crowd rises while Eric and Lily

Tanya’s POVI glance at the contract in my shaky hands unable to believe my eyes. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always dreamed of the day I’m going to get married. Unlike other girls who dream of the beautiful gown and beautiful necklace they will wear, I dream of the handsome man I will marry. I often daydream about how handsome my husband will be and how much I will love him; most importantly, he is going to love me back, just as fiercely as I love him.The paper in my hand has invalidated those dreams. This is no marriage based on love, it is based on interest. I cannot deny that Marco is royalty and is very handsome, but the fact that he doesn’t love me dampens my spirit. I remember my mom and how she died before I got a chance to know her. I remember Brandon and how he betrayed me. I remember how Marco saved me only to marry me out of a sense of responsibility. I love these people, but never get loved back in return. It is as though I am not destined for love.The door swi

Lily’s POV“Well, that was an unexpected twist,” Brandon says, sitting back into the leather armchair. I walk around the lounge room at the back of the auction house like a lion pacing in a cage.“I’m sorry, is this supposed to be amusing? We had a deal!” I hiss at him. The whole point of paying Brandon was for him to get close to Tanya. How did that scrawny little nobody end up arm in arm with Marco?Brandon examines his hands, absently picking at the dirt under his fingernails. “The situation changed,” he mumbles. “It’s not personal, Lily; it’s just business. You know how auctions work, right? The prize goes to the highest bidder. You paid me well, but Alina paid me better.” “If you betray me-” I start, but he cuts me off and moves swiftly towards me before I can muster a threat. “Careful, little lady. I wouldn’t want you to break a nail. Nobility is such a delicate thing,” he whispers, his breath tickling my ear and making angry heat rise to my cheeks. “If I betray you, there’s

Tanya’s POV“Do you think he’s here to see Lily?” one of the workers asks. “There’s no way. Prince Marco and Lily are a thing of the past. She’s engaged to Prince Eric.” Outside, Marco walks away towards the entrance of the building. He’s coming this way, my heart pounding harder and harder with every footstep. “Even if Marco married some she-wolf, Lily was supposed to be his fated mate. Why else would he be here?” The sound of heels clicking against the marble floor makes me want to disappear as the crowd moves away from the window and shifts towards the main entrance. Lily appears with Ayana close behind her.“Do you think Marco’s new wife is here? I haven’t seen her,” another employee says. They’ve seen me, they just haven’t realized who I am, but they will soon. There are too many people around, but the focus is evenly divided between Lily and Marco. The last thing I want is to draw attention to myself, and I dig my nails into my palm to stop my hands from shaking.Maybe I ca

Tanya’s POVI can’t move fast enough as I race to get ready after work. Excitement courses through me, and I can’t wait to see Marco. The note said to meet him at the Dumonet, which is one of the fanciest restaurants in the capital. I stop by Marco’s townhouse and rummage through the new wardrobe. I’m still not used to having so many expensive clothes to choose from, and it takes me a few minutes to pick out an outfit I think my husband will like. I chose a red a-line gown, the same shade as the bouquet he sent for me. It has drooping sleeves of scarlet chiffon, a delicately fitted waistline that swoops into flowing ruffles, and pleats that resemble petals. The red fabric contrasts my snow-white skin, and I tie my sleek black hair into a graceful half-updo, pinning one of the roses from the bouquet into my hair. I try not to think of Marco’s lips as I quickly apply a soft, rosy shade tint over my nervous smile. I can only hope to look as lovely as a flower for him. When I arrive at

Marco’s POVShe looks so small sitting on the sidewalk. At first, all I can feel is relief that she’s safe, and the wolf within me calms at the sight of her. Her black hair, which she’s pined into an ornate style, drips onto her glistening pale skin. The red dress is slick and clings to her figure, accentuating every soft curve. She shivers against the cold where she’s huddled under a tree, and I can’t help but wonder if she would have stayed there all night, waiting for me. I can’t help the curiosity that fills me when I think of her. We came into each other’s life by pure accident, but I’ve never quite met anyone like her. No one has ever waited for me like that, with such loyalty and patience. It’s foolish and reckless but… sweet, and I’m annoyed by the odd sense of affection that fills me as I walk toward her. ___________________ Tanya’s POVI brace myself from the cold to be best of my ability, but water trickles between the leaves of the tree I’m crouched under, soaking my go

Tanya’s POVThe howling continues, each guttural roar more pained than the last. I know Marco told me to stay in my room no matter what, but his tortured cries pierce my soul and reverberate deep within me until I can’t take it anymore. I open the door of my room, hesitating in the hallway for a moment as my concern for Marco wars against fear and uncertainty. Finally, I reach his room, but when I knock on the door, there’s no answer. Every few minutes, there’s another pained howl, and the silence in between is just as alarming. His room is locked from the inside, and the door won’t budge when I struggle with the knob. Desperation intensifies my need to reach him, to help him. I look around until my eyes land on a decorative candelabra on the hallway counter. Another anguished howl snaps me into action, and I instinctively grab the candlestick and slam it onto the doorknob. It takes me a few tries until I manage to knock the metal hard enough that the lock gives in, and I’m able to

Tanya’s POVSunlight pours into the room, bathing me in a warm light. I blink a few times to shake away the drowsiness that clings to me as I look around. I need to sneak back to my room, but when I move, Marco’s eyes meet mine. They’re a bit groggy with sleep, but they’ve returned to their usual shade of blue, with no trace of the crimson that burned in them during the night. I take in a sharp breath, startled by the intensity of his gorgeous gaze. Then, he takes in the sight of our entwined bodies, his brow furrowing. “What happened last night?” he asks defensively, pulling away slightly to survey our surroundings. Something tightens in my chest as I realize he doesn’t remember anything that happened. My mind races to explain. “You were howling in pain. I know you told me to stay in my room, but I was worried. I came to check on you… but nothing happened. I mean, you kissed me, and we ended up sleeping in the same bed, but you didn’t… we didn’t have sex. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean

Tanya’s POVThe moment the door swings open, I’m struck by a variety of delectable scents. My eyes widen as I step inside and take in the sight of the quaint space in the attic. The room has been refurbished with a large desk and several shelves full of equipment and ingredients. There are several copper and glass distillation stills, as well as various tubes, beakers, and droppers. The shelves are lined with jars of dried herbs, barks, and resins. There are also vials with a variety of solvents and oils. The equipment and materials here are brand new and sophisticated, only of the highest quality. The smells that fill the air are so delectable that my heart skips a beat. Marco has even provided a few blank journals for me to record different formulas and take notes. It’s not just a hobby room; this is a fully stocked laboratory for me to create perfumes and potions. The little apothecary shop he’s made for me right in his townhouse is a dream come true. This space is perfect for m

Tanya’s POVI feel everyone’s eyes turn on me as I stumble back slightly in surprise. I barely have time to process what’s happening before Ayana appears at the edge of the crowd. She shoves her way past me, almost knocking me off my feet as she rushes to Cathy.“Cathy? Cathy, wake up!” she cries, shaking the princess violently by the shoulders in an attempt to rise her, her voice drawing even more attention to the scene.“Somebody gets help!” Ayana shrieks at the top of her lungs, but despite all her yelling, Cathy remains unconscious.Suddenly, I see Ayana’s expression twist from melodramatic exaggeration to genuine fear as she holds her hand by Cathy’s face. I’m filled with horror as I realize she’s trying to feel Cathy’s breath, and a sickening sort of understanding washes over me as I see that Cathy isn’t moving at all. “What- what happened? Is she… is she okay?” I ask, my voice shaky with concern.Ayana’s attention whirls furiously towards me.“No! She is NOT okay!” she yells a