Thea's dreams have come true. She has her new love, new husband and a new life, but not everything is perfect. Being thrown in to a world so different, than she had ever experienced, brings new problems in her life, more worries, which will need to be overcome to keep her happiness and her family together. Becoming a queen is the complete opposite of what she was before. She is happy, but for how long will it last? Thea will have to endure - with help of others or completely alone. Will this be a journey of her life, that will break or make her stronger?
Heavenly bells rung on top of the tower, their rumbling sounds evoking my heart with blissful feelings. In front of me, two pearl white eyes glimmered with the same excitement I experienced. I could feel the enormous swarm of butterflies tickling my insides, lifting my happiness to the sky. His hands were warm, they held mine tight, as if he was afraid to loose me. I felt reluctant to let them go too.
All my life I dreamed about my own family, that one day some unknown force would change my life for better and would grant me this wish. It has happened and I can't describe the happiness I feel.
Next to us, reflecting glimmers of sun, sit two rings on a snow white pillow, waiting to be picked up and close a bond that will last a lifetime.
"Do you take Thea as your lawful wife, to have and hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"
The priest's voice echoed through the light-filled church walls, making my heart feel the ambient sound. It sent pleasant shivers over my skin.
"Yes, I do!" Edmund said calmly, his lips parted in a subtle smile.
"Do you take Edmund as your lawful husband, to have and hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?" He repeated.
I felt a tear slip through my lashes as I struggled to say the words. I was just too happy. All of this felt like a dream.
Edmund gently squeezed my hand. I looked up and saw a small concern in his eyes.
"I do..." I said finally.
After priest's holy words, Edmund gently put a ring on my finger, while he hold my trembling hand.
"Thea, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. "
Edmund smoothly slid a fine carved ring on my finger. It glimmered and sparkled in a sunlight filled structure.
I felt very nervous. In some way I felt glad, that only our closest people are here today. I took all the courage that was inside me and did my part.
"Edmund, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
I put a ring on his finger, all the while more tears were breaking through. I tried to keep them in.
"Thea, don't cry."Edmund whispered.
"Therefore I proclaim you a husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Priest's voice boomed over. "What God joins together, let no one put asunder".
Edmund leaned closer and our lips touched. I had to keep my heart calm, otherwise it would jump out. Every time I kissed him, it felt like a first time for me, all emotions were so strong I struggled to keep myself calm at such situations. He surely felt it and took me in his embrace and his hold on my waist tightened as well as his kiss got stronger, but..... at the same time being gentle. I almost melted in his hands.
He stopped and smiled sweetly.
"Thea.... You have made me into a happiest man ever." He said quietly and gave me a feather light peck on my lips.
"Oh my god! You both look so pretty!" I heard Fiona's whining in a back. "James, why didn't you provide me with such extravagant wedding?"
Fiona slapped him with her handkerchief, getting no particular reaction out of him, just his characteristically quiet white, loving smile.
We continued to gaze at each other in silence, savoring the reality of our new life, our future as a family.
***
I woke up the next morning in my bed alone.
Time and time again I repeat this wonderful memory in my mind. A grin spread over my face, remembering his sweet whispers and kisses, that trailed over me through the night. Edmund's strong hold on me made me feel safe, being in his embrace, against his strong toned chest gave me a sense of protection. I received love, that would come from a man, my husband - something that I anticipated and which made me nervous, slightly afraid, but he showed me, that nothing is to be worried about. He was gentle and I felt him take great care of my body, that at that moment belonged to him.
I was no longer a slave, who had no right to have anything. Now we stand equally by each other as a married couple.
My palm goes over the spot where Edmund slept. It holds no warmth of him, he have left a bed quite some time ago. I hoped to open my eyes and see him laying next to me, still asleep, while I would gently stroke his silky strands of hair and watch his calm face with those dark and long eyelashes.
Is something worrying him again? Few months have gone by without any incident or anything to trouble his mind. That's what I assume, but deep down I know it is not the case. Leaving Maria behind and marrying me hasn't relieved Edmund from his main problem - becoming a king. I feel in my heart, that I might have added more to this ordeal.
Nothing changed his high status and he married me. No one knows who I am. People will question him for my origins and what happened with the engagement he had with Maria.
I slide out from the cowers, put a silky robe on myself and head to look for my husband. I can't help, but suppress a small giggle, that desperately wants to break free from my beating heart.
A husband.... I have a husband.... Edmund....
It sounds so strange in my mind. Few months ago I wouldn't dare to even dream about such thing and now, here I am.
I see Edmund sitting in a chair in the living room, basking in the morning sun rays on a balcony, that overlooks the inner garden.
I see him in deep thought, his body loosely leaned over the furniture and his legs spread out. The blinding white shirt makes him look like an angel descended from the heavens.
"Good morning..." I whisper as I stand behind him, my hand is reaching for his dark strands of hair.
"Morning, Thea." Edmund plants a soft kiss on my hand. "You should still be in a bed. I.... was planning to go back. I didn't think you would wake up so early."
"It's alright. Don't feel obligated to do such insignificant things for me."
"Insignificant? I doubt it is so for you. Sorry for ruining your first morning."
Edmund pressed my palm against his cheek and then kissed it again.
"What's up with you...? You seem troubled."
"Nothing.... Nothing for you to worry about. Not yet...."
"Not yet? Is it... Is it something to do, what priest said?"
Edmund's glistening orbs reached my worried gaze.
Many days ago, when we talked with priest about the wedding, he pointed out things about our future, about Edmund's future. No matter how much he wanted to live rest of his life like a normal nobleman, it could not be achieved in his case. People for many years have waited for a king to rise, for Edmund to finally take his throne. It could not be so easily abandoned. It was his calling given him from the time he was born. The odd trait of his bloodline, the unnaturally looking eyes had shaped the future for him, without his own choice. Edmund just couldn't leave this legacy behind so simply.
"Yeah. In truth it is so... . I am more worried about you. The inevitable difficulties you will have to go through to stay by my side." Edmund hold an apologetic look. "Thea, you will be a queen. Do you understand that?"
I couldn't deny, that this single thought made me nervous. I only hoped that Edmund will hold my hand through, whatever is stored in for us.
"He also said, that we will have to hold another wedding. For the people of Hadria to publicly mark our union. It is so bothersome, but it will need to be done. Not now, though...., but at sometime in the future. Also we will move to the capital in few days time. But don't worry about anything right now. You just rest, alright?"
"Hmm." I nodded.
I felt a slight pressure applied around my waist. First, I didn't pay attention to it, as my whole focus was on nearly dying girl in front of me. It got tighter and I felt a warmth of air hit my abs through fabric. My gaze fell on the unknown source nearly under me. Laura. Her hands wrapped around me, her face buried in to the fabric covering my stomach. I felt her hot breath hitting me hard, her small form shaking. It appeared to me, that she was crying, her sobs - silent. "Please! Let her go.... Don't be sad......" she squeezed me tighter. Sad? I was not..... My head moved up. In the dark brown glass decor, I saw my face. I felt mad, angry and all kind of other emotions, but the only one visible was the sorrow and pain. The expression I have never seen on myself before. It looked so foreign, I looked so strange in my own eyes. "Please don't kill my friend, Bryce! ..... Please.....please..... please stop it...." From the shock, I released Sharlene's ...
After a traumatic, virus infected, robot attack, Kyra has to live with her father's purchased android bodyguard. Her life long fear of robots does not make it any easier, as she have to spend all her time with this strange 'man'. He is perfect. Everyone seems to fall in love with him. But there is something more to him. What if he is not just a simple machine. Kyra notices, he is not so perfect as everyone thinks. He is acting strange and does weird things, that Kyra cannot rationalize. Time passes and it seems he is getting worse. Is she safe from her own bodyguard? What is happening to her robot? And what meaning she has in his life?
Miakoda is a young werewolf, but so different from all others in her pack and not in a good way. She have not been able to shift ever before, have not been able to find her mate nor companionship from others. But it all changes, when her working colleague offers her her friendship and a chance to go on a 'risky' trip with other youngsters. Their journey takes them to the far edge of the pack's territory, where Miakoda finally gets her answers. It should be a happiest day of her life, but it turns out for worst - a nightmare she will never be able to erase from her memory, nor probably, from her future life. She have become a part of an old tale and a part of a doom for her own pack.
"See, she is totally disobedient. You are gonna regret, if you take her." his old man said again. He didn't answer him. He bent down, little bit closer to me and pulled some strands of my hair away, to get a better look at me. My eyes were shut tight. Please, not me, not me. I was chanting in my head. He curved his smooth fingers around my chin and pulled it lightly, in attempt to make face him. As I did not, he took a stronger hold of it and forcefully made me finally look at him. "I said, look at me!" his voice was more threatening than before. I opened my blue, teary eyes and finally looked at the boy, who was bugging me.
I ran after I died. The moon goddess gave me another chance to live. Married to a ruthless Lycan that was rumored to be cursed by the moon goddess herself. But I was killed by his minion... behind the bars of her torment... A new story began and he battled with his demons, in a world where truth was far fetched. I was his pawn, his toy, his game...until I discovered one night, when I was soaked in blood that I regretted the day I met him. I'd given up the Lycan beast, to marry a monster. I fled from the Alpha of Bloodmoon Park, the gruesome Lycan that every person feared, to be with this man that seemed soft at first glance. It made me wonder, what if I had stayed? The gruesome Lycan might be fearsome but I never heard him pierce a woman's heart with his claw. In a world where wolves howled at the moon and the lines between man and beast are blurred, danger lurked through the shadows, after the day I married the beast that visited my bed every night. Caught in a web of betrayal and deceit, the man I had fallen in love with had become the monster I wished I could flee from. A deadly threat to my life especially when I realized he was getting married to my step sister, the same girl that made my life hell when I was an omega. I wished I could get my revenge, but how could I, when I was lying in a pool of my own blood, dead? Will the goddess grant me another chance?
On her wedding night, Natalie's stepmother set her up to marry Jarvis, a disfigured and disabled man. Fortunately, she managed to escape, but little did she know that later she would fall for the man she was betrothed to.Jarvis pretended to be a poor man, but he didn't think that he'd fall head over heels for this woman.Their life went on until one day, Natalie found out her boyfriend's little secret."Huh? How could you have billions of dollars' worth of assets?" she asked in disbelief.Jarvis didn’t know how to respond.Being met with silence, she gritted her teeth angrily. "They said that you couldn't walk, but as far as I can see, you're strong enough to run a marathon."Still, he remained silent.Natalie continued, "They even said that you only have a few years to live. What about now?"Finally, Jarvis opened his mouth to explain. "Honey, this is all just a misunderstanding. Please calm down. Think about the baby.""Jarvis Braxton!"The man knelt down immediately.
Warning: This book has high sexual assault displays, but does not support any form of rape. I, Alpha Edward Parker, swear that I will keep you tied to me until I make you pay for what you did to my mate," he swore, gripping my chin in a bruising hold. "Not only will you wish for death, but you will beg for it, and it will be too far from you." I could feel the eyes of the whole pack on us. They probably came to experience a normal wedding, but that couldn't be further from the truth. I was being married off to a groom because he wanted revenge. Tears welled, and I wanted to scream, "I am your mate; I'm the one who saved you, not her." But I knew no one would believe me. I was his mate, how could he not recognize me? Four years ago, Amanda happened to save a total stranger, but due to a string of misunderstandings, her sister took her place. The stranger then promised a vow of betrothal to his savior. Not seeing any use in correcting the error, Amanda allowed it. That was her biggest mistake because the stranger ended up being her own mate. Caught in a web of lies and confusion, she decides to set herself free by speaking the truth. But her plans are thwarted when her sister turns up dead, and she is pinned as the main suspect. A mate out to seek revenge for another, a forced marriage, an underlying plot, a web of lies, and many dark secrets. How can Amanda navigate all these without losing sight of herself? How will she speak the truth when she has already lost her voice and has been destroyed by her own mate?
"You're the moon wolf, Lola. You're the wolf with the power of the Moon goddess", Serena said and collective gasps were heard in the room. After being rejected by her mate in Moonlit pack, Lola escaped on a full moon only to enter the territory of the next Alpha King who also happened to be her second chance mate. Adrian is the next Alpha King but he hasn't been able to assume his role because he needed a Luna by his side. A rogue that trespassed on his territory, whom he ordered be killed turned out to be his mate leaving him in a dilemma. Will Adrian reject Lola because she came into his territory as a rogue? Will he overcome what happened to him in the past and give Lola a chance or reject her and go ahead with Fay as his chosen Luna? What will happen when everyone finds out just how much power Lola wields and how she's supposed to protect her kind in an oncoming war? Find out in Lola - The Moon Wolf!
Bethany, a stunning woman burdened by financial woes, wrestled with her future prospects in the city after fleeing her manipulative former lover. At the same time, a bold and unyielding man began to pursue her with relentless passion. The word on the street was that the aloof Mr. Swanson had taken under his wing a woman of striking beauty, allegedly snatched from his best friend. He showered her with lavish gifts and was captivated by her every word. They said she was not merely a beautiful woman, but a unique treasure that demanded constant dedication and attention.
Lindsey's fiancé was the devil's first son. Not only did he lie to her but he also slept with her stepmother, conspired to take away her family fortune, and then set her up to have sex with a total stranger. To get her lick back, Lindsey decided to find a man to disrupt her engagement party and humiliate the cheating bastard. Never did she imagine that she would bump into a strikingly handsome stranger who was all that she was currently looking for. At the engagement party, he boldly declared that she was his woman. Lindsey thought he was just a broke man who wanted to leech off her. But once they began their fake relationship, she realized that good luck kept coming her way. She thought they would part ways after the engagement party, but this man kept to her side. "We gotta stick together, Lindsey. Remember, I'm now your fiancé. " "Domenic, you're with me because of my money, aren't you?" Lindsey asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Domenic was taken aback by that accusation. How could he, the heir of the Walsh family and CEO of Vitality Group, be with her for money? He controlled more than half of the city's economy. Money wasn't a problem for him! The two got closer and closer. One day, Lindsey finally realized that Domenic was actually the stranger she had slept with months ago. Would this realization change things between them? For the better or worse?