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The news about the official rejection has hit the media. I’m being called selfish and ungrateful to the people who have “supported” me through everything since my parents and brothers passed. Santiago is in critical condition and has been removed from some of the pack’s holiday appearances.
I’ve been in bed for almost a week, and physically, I’m better. I can get up for breakfast, and I don’t feel like I’m being torn apart with every step I take when I go to the bathroom. Ivar is taking to his duties since we’ve arrived. I think what happened has shaken him, but he seems determined to prove something. What is that? I am not even a little bit sure. I haven’t had a chance to speak to him, but I know when he’s come to visit when I’m asleep. The room always gets warmer.
The best news so far has been that the Lycan King has finally convinced the vampires to a ceasefire and will be holding a banquet by the end of next week to celebrate the treaty they’re working on. The messed–up part is that way too many died on both sides, and no one knows why the two even went to war.
For the first time since I was a little girl, I’m excited to see my grandmother.
My dreams about her have been frequent lately. It’s like my brain is telling me that maybe I should let go of all the resentment I hold towards her. I mean, yeah. She was really mean to my mother and me, but I dismissed her a long time ago, too. And she did kind of save me by sending Ivar.
After the attack, she was the last person I wanted to sec. Even after I was sent home, I was all alone. She would barely say a word to me. The most she has ever said to me was what she said when I didn’t shift. It was the only time I ever felt like she understood what was happening.
Now that I’m feeling better, I take the room in, and I can’t help e smile. I once mentioned that royal blue was my favorite color, and by coincidence, so is hers. This room is decorated will pretty blues, whites, and silvers. It’s a little goth for my liking, but it doesn’t surprise me considering the rest of this place. It simply sticks to the aesthetics.
“My lady, you’re up,” one of the staff ladies comes in with a tray.
“Yes,” I smile at her and stand. She sets the tray down at the breakfast table. “I’m sorry I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Sophia Helvig. You can call me Sophie.”
“Lady Sophia,” she smacks her hand over her chest and takes a kice in front of me with her head bowed low. “It makes me very happy to see you’re feeling much better after what you have been put through. My name is Helga Lovette. I am your grandmother’s hand maiden. She’s asked me to look after you until she returns”
“You don’t have to bow,” I laugh and help her up. Thank you for taking care of me.”
“You never have to thank me. It is my pleasure, beautiful girl,” she caresses my cheek gently. I have your breakfast”
I take a seat as she takes things off the tray and places them in front of me. I think I’m going to need better etiquette classes
Do you know if Ivar is busy or if I can visit him?” I ask.
“Master Ivar is” she pauses. “He’s got a lot to do before the King ones home”
“Oh, okay,” I nod.
“Perhaps I can keep you entertained this morning by giving you tour of the ground?” she counters
“Sure, I would love that”
“I will be back in a bit. I’ll send one of the staff members in info Prince fear that you are feeling much better, she bows
“That would be great. Miss Lowrite. Thank you”
Helga is a very tall woman. Her eyes are an intense shade of teal les bronze skin almost sparkles under the morning light
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17:10 Tue, Jan 20
Chapter 35
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55 vouchers
She’s dressed in loose tan high–waisted pants and an orange crop top. What catches my attention are her sparkly orange vans. They’re limited edition. I ended up getting the ruby red ones and the sapphire blue. The ours she has were completely sold out as soon as they came out.
When she straightens up and walks out, I see that her hair is long enough to touch the bark of her calves. The shade of golden blonde is otherworldly. A cascade of gold. I finish my breakfast and change into something comfortable. While I’m changing. I notice reddish marks peppered all over my body, lik little lightning strikes.
“Soph?” I look towards the bedroom from the closet to see Ivar here with Helga. When he sees me, disappointment crosses his features. “You should be in bed. Just because you feel a little better doesn’t mean you can be walking around like nothing
“I felt better a couple of days ago. I feel sore from lying down and scrolling through my phone all day. I need to stretch my legs and get some fresh air. I’m not going anywhere. We’re just taking a tour of the villa. If I get tired, I promise to come right back.”
He comes over to me and points at the mirror I had been looking at myself in. He tilts my head to show me the red marks.
“Until more of those fade, you’re on bed rest. This isn’t the first me I’ve been around someone who has lost their mate. Please, even if it’s to ease my mind. I know you’re in pain, Sophia I smell the distress in you. Just give it a couple of more days. At least, until these turn pink”
“What are they?” I ask. He takes a deep breath and motions for me to get back in bed. I kick my shoes off and crawl onto it reluctantly.
“When you’re linked to someone through the mate bond, it’s more than just spiritual, especially if you’re physical with your mate, even if you haven’t marked one another. You’re bound completely. It’s probably an immediate connection. So when the connection breaks, your system takes a nasty shock. It’s like king pieces of yourself and ripping them out all at once.”
“How long do they stay?” I ask
“It depends on how strong the bond was. Ragnar hadn’t been with his mate very long, and they were waiting to mark one another until they graduated. He was like this for six weeks. My dad went into shock. He was in a coma for two weeks, and he still has some of these lingering on his skin. I don’t think he’s ever going to recover from that,” he says quietly.
“I do feel a whole lot better,” I place my hand over his.
“I brought someone for you to meet,” he smiles. “Try not to stare
“Stare?” I ask.
He steps out, and when he returns, there’s a woman with him. Ol staring is going to be an issue. The woman looks just like him, or rather, he looks just like her. Just a lot more feminine. His mother is way taller than Helga. Her skin is pale but shimmers as she comes closer. Her hair is the same raven black his. It’s about shoulder length. Her eyes are the same beautiful forest green shade as his. It was like the King’s genes don’t even try.
“This is my mother, he introduces her. “Selene.
I try to scoot to the end of the bed so I can formally address the yean Queen, but she stops me
It’s all right, Sweetheart Don’t get up, she quickly sits on my be to stop use. Her eyes search me wortedly before she finally smiles. “You re right, Ivar She is a lot like the Major Genel 1ean see it in her eyes. Helvig woman are known for being very strang
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
