My back and forehead are beginning to sweat as his hands are pressing into my hips. My body is violently spasming as everything inside of me explodes into a thousand pieces. "Oh God! Just like that, baby. Fuck!" I cry with unrestrained abandon and hold onto a different cushion that is close by. "Jesus Christ," he moans without breathing. "Oh my god." "Fuck yeah, I'm getting there! "Don't stop!" I whimper and twitch... Katherina finds herself trapped in the middle of two worlds in a society where falling in love is a tricky game of politics and secrets. On the one hand, there is Mark, the alluring and mysterious prince she is striving for in the Selection, a contest that has the potential to completely alter her life. Aspen, the guard with whom she shares a hidden love that breaches the norms of their society, is on the other side. Rebels launch an assault while danger lurks outside the royal gates, and the king's disapproval poses a threat to their separation. Katherina must travel a perilous route while using her cunning and tenacity to stay alive and gain the love of the prince she adores. But when the roles are reversed and Katherina finds herself taking risks to win over the populace, she understands that politics and love don't go well. Katherina must decide between her heart's desire and the greater good in a tale of passion, power, and sacrifice while realizing that one incorrect decision could lead to the destruction of everything she values. Katherina's journey through the Selection takes unexpected turns as secrets are revealed and loyalty is put to the test, leaving readers gasping and eager to turn the page. Will Katherina find the fortitude to seize her destiny or will she be entangled in the web of royal intrigue forever in a world where love is both a weapon and a weakness?
This time, as we were taking another etiquette lesson in the Great Room, bricks started to fly through the glass. Ella immediately fell to the ground and began to crawl toward the side entrance while whimpering. Camile screamed loudly before fleeing to the rear of the room and narrowly avoiding a shower of glass. As Kylie pulled me along by my arm, I sped up to keep up with her as we ran for the door.
"Let's go, ladies!" Sia sobbed.
The soldiers lined up at the windows and started firing in a matter of seconds; when we escaped, I could still hear the gunshots in my ears. Anyone who shown even the slightest amount of violence within sight of the palace would be killed, whether they arrived with firearms or stones. There was no longer any tolerance for these assaults.
Kylie mumbled, "I hate running in these shoes," her eyes fixed on the far end of the hallway under a pile of clothes.
Camile remarked, her breath laboring, "One of us is going to have to get used to it."
I grinned wryly. I'll always wear sneakers if it's me. I'm done with this already.
"More movement, less talking!" Sia screamed.
"How can we get downstairs from here?" Eli enquired.
The question "What about Mark?" Kylie scowled.
Sia did not respond. Guard after guard fled away from her as we pursued her through a maze of halls in search of a way to the basement. I couldn't help but admire them and be in awe of their bravery for running into danger to save others.
Before a pair of emerald eyes linked with mine, the guards passing us were utterly indistinguishable from one another. Aspen didn't appear terrified or even surprised. He was headed in the direction of the issue to solve it. He was just that way by nature.
Our brief eye contact was sufficient. With Aspen, it was similar. Without saying a word, I could tell him in an instant. Stay safe and exercise caution. He would reply, "I know, just take care of yourself," without adding anything else.
I had no trouble finding peace with the things we had spoken out, but I struggled with the things we didn't need to speak. Our most recent exchange wasn't quite joyful. I had asked him to give me some time to process the Selection as I was going to depart the castle. After that, I stayed without explaining to him why I did so.
Perhaps he was losing his capacity to be patient with me and only see the best in me. I would have to correct that in some way. I was unable to imagine a life without Aspen in it. A world without Aspen was inconceivable even as I waited in the hopes that Mark would pick me.
"This is it!" Sia yelled as she pushed a mystery wall panel.
Ella and Sia led the way as we down the steps.
Dammit, Ella, quicken your pace. Camile exclaimed. Although we were all thinking the same thing, I wanted to be annoyed that she said it.
I made an effort to accept the hours I would spend hiding like a mouse as we plunged into the darkness. Up until one man's voice broke through directly on top of us, we continued walking while the sound of our escape drowned out the yells.
He shouted, "Stop!"
I turned with Kylie as we both watched the uniform emerge. She yelled, "Wait," to the girls below. It's a guard, I say.
We were panting as we stood on the stairs. He finally came over to us, panting for air.
Ladies, I apologize. As soon as the rounds were fired, the insurgents fled. Were probably not in the mood for a brawl today.
Sia talked for us while smoothing her clothing with her hands. The king said, "Is it safe? If not, you're putting these young women in grave danger.
"The guard's commander gave the all-clear. He will certainly-"
"You don't represent the king, sir. Women, hurry up and move along.
The question "Are you serious?" I queried. "There's no point in going down there,"
I kept my mouth shut as she fixed me with a look that could have put a rebel on the spot. Sia and I had developed a kind of friendship as she inadvertently used her extra lessons to assist me divert my attention away from Mark and Aspen. Following my brief stunt on the Report a few days ago, it appeared to have vanished into thin air. She then turned to face the security guard. "Send the king a formal command, and we'll come back. Move forth, ladies.
I exchanged a frustrated glance with the guard before we parted ways.
Twenty minutes later, a different officer came and told us we could go upstairs, but Sia showed no remorse at all.
I didn't wait for Sia or the other females since I was so annoyed by the entire thing. I went up the stairs, coming out on the first floor, and walked with my shoes still caught on my fingers to my room. My maids weren't there, but there was a tiny silver dish on the bed with an envelope inside.
I ripped open the envelope and ate May's words because I immediately recognized her handwriting.
Ames,
Being aunts! Astra is flawless. We all know you have to be at the palace right now, but I wish you were here so I could meet her in person. Do you anticipate that we'll spend Christmas together? Not too far off! I must return to assisting Ken and Joseph. She is so gorgeous, I can hardly stand it! I'll show you a photo now. We adore you.
May
Behind the letter, I slid the glossy photo. Everyone but Kota and I were present. Ken's husband Joseph, who was grinning and watching over his wife and daughter, had puffy eyes. Ken appeared to be equally happy and worn out as he sat straight in bed holding a small pink bundle. Mom and Dad were beaming with pride, and May and Gerad's excitement was palpable. Kota obviously wouldn't have gone because he had nothing to gain by being there. But I ought to have been present.
But I wasn't.
I was present. And there were instances when I didn't know why. Even after all he'd done to convince me to stay, Mark was still spending time with Kylie. Outside, the rebels relentlessly targeted our security, and inside, the king's stern words did just as much damage to my self-assurance. Aspen continued to orbit me while I had to keep it a secret. And the cameras came and went, taking bits and pieces of our life for public amusement. Every direction was trying to force me into a corner, and I was missing out on everything that had ever mattered to me.
I forced back tears of rage. I had had enough of crying.
I switched to planning mode instead. The Selection's termination was the only way to make things right.
There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be Mark's, even though I occasionally wondered why I wanted to be the princess. I couldn't just wait for that to happen if it was going to. As I waited for my ladies, I thought back to my last conversation with the king and started to pace.
I knew that eating would be useless because I could hardly breathe. But the effort would be worthwhile. I needed to move quickly and make some progress. The king claimed that the other girls were making physical overtures toward Mark and that I was far too plain to stand a hope of competing with them in that area.
My relationship with Mark was already hard enough without having to deal with the new problem of reestablishing trust. And I wasn't sure if that implied that I was not permitted to inquire or not. I was very certain that he had not become physically intimate with the other girls to that point, but I couldn't help but wonder. I'd never intentionally tried to be seductive before; very much all of our private moments had just happened; but I had to believe that if I was purposeful, I might convey to Mark that I was just as interested in him as the others.
I inhaled deeply, cocked my head up, and entered the dining room. I intentionally arrived a minute or two late in the hopes that everyone would be seated. On that score, I was correct. But the response exceeded my expectations.
I bowed and curtsied, rotating my leg so the dress' slit opened up and nearly reached my thigh. I was almost certain that my maids had employed magic to keep the dress up at all because it was a deep red color, strapless, and nearly backless. As I stood up, I looked Mark in the eyes and saw that he had put down his gum. A fork was dropped.
I lowered my sight and went to take a seat next to Kylie.
She muttered, "Seriously, America?"
I cocked my head to look at her. Do you mean, "I'm sorry?" I responded while acting perplexed.
We exchanged a look as she set her cutlery down. I said, "You look trashy."
Well, you seem envious.
She reddened a little before resuming her meal, so I must have been quite near to the point. I only took a few bites of my own food since I was so dreadfully choked. I made the decision to cease ignoring Mark as dessert was being served, and as I had planned, his attention was drawn to me. He instantly reached up and grabbed his ear, and I obediently did the same. King Clarkson caught my fleeting glance, and I made an effort not to smile. He was agitated, which was yet another deception I was able to pull off.
Mark was able to admire the dress' back before I excused myself and hurried to my room. I quickly unzipped the gown as I shut the door to my room behind me, gasping for air.
How did it go? Mary rushed over and enquired.
"He appeared shocked. All of them did.
When Lucy squealed, Anne rushed over to assist Mary. "We'll support it. Just get outside," she commanded. I followed the instructions given to me. Asking "Is he coming tonight?"
"Yes. He will undoubtedly be here, but I'm not sure when. To prevent the open dress from slipping down, I sat on the side of my bed with my arms tucked over my midsection.
Anne gave me a dejected look. I regret that you will have to endure this discomfort for a few more hours. But I'm confident it will be worthwhile.
I grinned to make it appear as though I could handle the agony. My maids had been informed of my desire to catch Mark's eye. I had left out my wish that maybe this outfit will soon be on the ground.
Do you want us to wait around until he gets here? Lucy enquired while being very enthusiastic.
"No, just assist me in zipping up this thing again. I replied, standing up so they could assist me, "I need to think some things through.
Mary grabbed the zipper. Miss, take it, please. I complied, and as the dress once again cinched me in, I imagined a soldier heading out to battle. Various armor, but the same concept.
I was bringing down a man tonight.
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
Natalie used to think she could melt Connor’s icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scale—all in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."