Chapter 14
Delilah’s POV.
Walking through the bustling grounds of the Shadow Claws Pack with Rosa, the woman who had become my guide, was an experience unlike any other. Her boundless energy made the air feel lighter, almost as if it were charged with life. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt alive, my heavy heart momentarily forgotten. Though we didn’t wander far from the palace grounds, it didn’t matter. The entire territory thrummed with vitality, like a city that never truly rested, its people and places moving in perfect sync.
The palace itself loomed in the distance, a structure so grand it could intimidate anyone unfamiliar with its intricate beauty. Upon returning to its shadowed halls, Rosa eagerly led me on a tour of the office buildings flanking the royal quarters. Her enthusiasm was contagious, though my focus wavered when a peculiar sensation began to stir within me.
A voice–low, unfamiliar–whispered in my mind, faint yet distinct. I paused, startled. Where was it coming from? How was I hearing it? Confusion mingled with unease as I tried to make sense of it. Was I losing my sanity, or was something far stranger
I happening to me? Whatever it was, it felt more like a curse than a blessing.
Before I could delve deeper into my thoughts, the sound of tires crunching on gravel drew our attention. A sleek black van rolled smoothly into view, its glossy exterior reflecting the dim sunlight. Rosa and I turned instinctively, curiosity knitting our brows. A bodyguard, dressed impeccably in a black suit with matching sunglasses, stepped out from the passenger side, moving with practiced precision to open the rear door. I couldn’t help but linger, intrigued by who might emerge from such an entrance. The moment the door swung open, my breath hitched. A strikingly beautiful woman stepped out, her aura exuding an effortless elegance that demanded attention. She wore a flowing white dress adorned with delicate floral patterns, the fabric dancing -Jightly in the breeze. Her dark chocolate–brown hair tumbled over her shoulders in soft
waves, a stark contrast to the sharp lines of her oversized sunglasses..
Her demeanor, however, was anything but serene. Clutching her phone to her ear, she spoke in clipped, sharp tones, her frustration evident even from a distance. In her free hand, a designer handbag swung carelessly, while her bodyguard dutifully hauled her suitcase behind her. She brushed past us without a second glance, her focus firmly on her call. Rosa bowed respectfully, but the woman didn’t even acknowledge her gesture,
The rudeness prickled at me, but I quickly dismissed it. Whoever she was, she clearly thought herself above the rest. Fine. She was not my concern, and I had no intention of making her so.
Back in the confines of my room, a knock interrupted my thoughts. Rosa opened the
Chapter 14
door, allowing two women to enter, each carrying a bag that looked heavy yet luxurious.
“We were sent by the King to deliver these items,” one of them said, her tone professional but hurried. “He will come later to see if they fit.”
Before I could ask any questions, they placed the bags carefully on the floor and scurried away as quickly as they had arrived. Rosa picked up the bags and set them aside with ease.
“You should check the items. They look like clothes,” she suggested gently.
I nodded, though my mind was elsewhere. “I will, after I shower,” I replied, moving toward the bed and sitting on its edge. “By the way, have you seen my nanny? I haven’t heard from her all day.”
“She was here earlier,” Rosa said with a frown. “But I haven’t seen her since.”
Her words did little to soothe my growing concern. My nanny had always been a pillar of strength for me, her sharp tongue often cutting through my doubts and fears. I knew she would be worried sick
over the current state of my marriage. The thought of it sent a fresh wave of anger coursing through me.
enom
Farrell. The very name felt like on my tongue. My chest tightened as I remembered the betrayal, the ease with which he and his pack had cast me aside. Sandra’s acceptance into their fold was a slap to my face, a brutal reminder that I had was a slap to my face, a brutal reminder that I had meant little to those I once called my family. It was a pain I didn’t know how to fully
process.
“Rosa,” I said, my voice low but firm.
“Yes, Your Majesty?” she replied, her tone laced with the respect she always showed
- me.
The title made me flinch. It still felt foreign, like a coat that didn’t quite fit. I pushed the discomfort aside. “Who was the woman who arrived earlier?” I asked, unable to
contain my curiosity.
Rosa hesitated, her eyes dropping to the floor. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. It’s not my place to speak about His Majesty’s visitors.”
Her answer didn’t surprise me, though it left me mildly frustrated. “Don’t worry,” I said with a small smile. “I’ll ask the King myself.”
“I apologize,” she said again, her voice barely above a whisper.
“It’s fine,” I reassured her.“Could you get me something to eat while I shower?”
“Certainly,” she said, bowing slightly before leaving the room.
Alone, my thoughts drifted inevitably to Maxwell. How could he be my mate? The bond between us was undeniable, yet it felt so sudden, so overwhelming. He wasn’t just any man–he was a king, a figure of immense authority and power. And yet, he had
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Chapter 14
been my first. My cheeks warmed at the thought, the memories of that night replaying in vivid detail.
The way he had touched me, kissed me–it had been a revelation. His hands, his lips, his whispered promises. “I want to take you slowly, until you can take me properly,” he murmured, his voice heavy with desire. The memory sent a shiver down my spine.
As I stepped into the shower, letting the warm water cascade over me, I felt the tension in my body begin to melt away. Yet my mind refused to rest. Flashes of that night consumed me, the intensity of his gaze, the way he claimed me, not just physically but emotionally. It had been overwhelming in the best possible way.
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his voice. Not like reading his mind, but this time, but, I could hear him speak.
“I can’t reject my mate. She’s my destiny, Anna. You need to understand.”
The words sent my heart racing. Who was Anna? Was it the woman from earlier? A
heart. tightness gripped my chest, jealousy curling its tendrils around my
“She’s mine,” Maxwell said with a finality that sent a shiver of satisfaction through me. The possessiveness in his voice was intoxicating, though I knew there was much I didn’t yet understand.
A knock at the bathroom door broke the connection. I quickly wrapped myself in a robe and stepped out, expecting to see Rosa. But standing there, larger than life, was Maxwell himself.
My breath caught in my throat. “Maxwell?” I whispered.
He said nothing, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. The intensity in his eyes spoke volumes, and I suddenly realized that whatever came next would change everything.
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