Kristoff
"Let me go!! DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU'RE DEALING WITH!!!"
I shouted at the men who were detaining me. They remained silent, completely ignoring my demands. This only fueled my fury, as they intentionally ignored my authority as a Jarl.
"Are you out of your mind!? I am a Jarl—the future Alpha of the great Iron Flame pack! How dare you ignore my commands!" I raged on, desperately trying to make them see reason.
One of the men finally responded with a calm voice, "We are well aware of who you are, Jarl Kristoff. Nobody here disagrees with everything you have said. However, our loyalty still lies with the Ironwolf and our pack. It is our duty to bring you back to the Ironflame safe and sound, just as your father wants."
I screamed out of frustration, "BUT HAVE YOU REALIZED IT IS MY WEDDING DAY!!? You have ruined the most precious day of my life!!"
Their silence continued as they dragged me away, leaving me feeling devastated and helpless. It was supposed to be a joyful day, a fairy tale-like wedding between two families who were once close friends. Instead, it had turned into a betrayal between our parents.
I couldn't understand why my father would do this to his most loyal friend, Alpha Eirik. Did their friendship mean nothing to him? These questions swirled in my mind, but I couldn't confront my own father due to his men's interference.
As we walked in silence, I suddenly heard a familiar voice, a desperate cry for help. It was my mate's voice! It was Ari's!
Panic surged through me as I realized the urgency of the situation. I became desperate to help her, and in that moment of urgency, I shifted into my mighty wolf form, startling the men who were dragging me. Seizing the opportunity, I pinned them down and rushed towards where the reception was. My wolf, Ivar, was growling like a mad wolf inside of me. My mind started to imagine multiple versions of horror that Ari might be experiencing now, and I could never forgive myself if something bad happened to her.
But before I could reach her, I felt a sharp sting on my side, and an overwhelming drowsiness took hold of me.
I began feeling extremely tired. It was like a heavy tiredness that made my movements slow down. Each step I took became harder like I was carrying something heavy.
I turned to see Rolf, the Ironwolf's most loyal guard, standing with a tranquilizer in his hand.
"I apologize, Jarl Kristoff. This was necessary for your safety," he said.
I tried to resist the sleepiness, but it was too strong. My vision got blurry, and it felt like my body was moving very slowly, as if it was hard to control. The world around me started to look strange, and I sank deeper into sleep, unable to fight the strong effect of the tranquilizer.
And then, it was all black.
When I finally woke up, I found myself in my own room, and it was as if my memories rushed back to me. My heart raced with worry, and I couldn't help but cry out, "Ari!"
Desperation filled my every thought as I tried to push myself out of bed, but the room spun, and pain shot through me. The guards surrounding me remained watchful and resolute.
Rolf stepped forward, his voice filled with regret as he said, "I'm sorry, Jarl Kristoff, but we can't let you leave. You're on house arrest for now. We have no choice but to follow the Ironwolf's orders."
Determined to see Ari, I mustered every ounce of strength to rise from the bed, pain coursing through me. I glared at the guards and issued a stern ultimatum, my voice edged with anger, as I turned to Rolf.
"You have a choice, and it's a simple one: let me go peacefully, or face the consequences of your stubbornness. Think carefully, Rolf."
My growl conveyed the seriousness of my intent, but the guards were torn between my demands and their loyalty. Rolf, in particular, seemed indifferent to my threats, standing resolutely by his duty.
As tension hung in the air, the sound of approaching footsteps filled the room. All heads turned, including the guards, as the imposing figure of the Ironwolf entered. The guards, including Rolf, immediately paid their respects, lowering their heads in deference to the powerful Alpha of Ironflame.
"He won't listen to you, Rolf. He inherited my stubbornness when I was his age," my father remarked, acknowledging my anger with a knowing look.
"We are sorry that we failed you, Alpha," Rolf said, his voice laden with regret as the guards continued to bow their heads.
"It's not your fault. Now, can you please leave us alone and give me and my stubborn Jarl some alone time?" my father requested.
"Most certainly," Rolf replied. The guards curtsied one last time before exiting the room, leaving my father and me alone.
As we looked at each other, a mix of emotions rushed through me. I saw my father, the man I had always respected and followed, now standing between me and the woman I loved. It made me feel angry, sad, and like he had let me down on what could have been the best day of my life. But deep down, I also wanted to talk, to understand his reasons for what he did. My father was not foolish and irrational. I was just hoping that whatever his reasons were, they would somehow justify what he did to my bride's family and pack. Though, honestly, I felt that there would be none.
We just stood there, waiting to see who would break the silence and say something.
And then, it was me who first surrendered to the silence.
Kristoff"Why, father," I stammered, my heart heavy with a mix of anger and confusion. "Why did you do it? Why on the day of my union with my mate?"There, I had finally said it. I was now confronting the Ironwolf, demanding an explanation for the events that had unfolded. My fists were clenched, and my breaths came out in labored bursts as I tried to control the overwhelming surge of emotions rising up inside me.But instead of responding, he took a deep breath and implored, "Can you calm yourself first, son?""Calm myself?! After everything you've done?!” I had never raised my voice to my father, but I had reached the limits of my patience. “I want to see my bride, and NOTHING CAN STOP ME!"I strode past my father, my determination unyielding. In that moment, I had shown a level of disrespect I had never displayed before. As I approached the door, my heart raced, each beat echoing the urgency of my desire to see my bride. However, before I could reach the door, a deep, visceral roar
Ari"Can you still walk, Lady Ari?"Igor's concerned voice cut through the weariness that clung to me like a heavy cloak. The silver shackles on my hands weighed me down, making every step a struggle."Yes, Igor. Please, focus on your mate. I'll manage," I replied, my voice carrying the fatigue of a long journey. I tried to pose an “okay” smile, but Igor was not convinced.“Are you sure, my lady?”“Yes, Igor. I am fine. This is nothing compared to what they did to my father.”Jackie and Igor exchanged glances, sympathy etched on their faces. My supposed dream had twisted into a nightmare, and the endless walk drained the last ounce of hope from my soul. The forest, once full of life, now seemed like a place full of sad memories. Every tree cast shadows that told stories of our freedom that we lost.Barefoot and broken, we moved along the captive path. The cold ground sent shivers down my spine. The shackles on my hands made a clinking sound with every painful step, cruelly reminding u
Ari As I saw Seraphina emerging from the shadows, my heart raced. Anger filled me, and my breathing became rough. My eyes were locked on my evil stepmother, and my body moved as if it had a life of its own. Seraphina smirked at me, intensifying my stirred-up feelings. My body shook from too much anger, and I had never felt this angry before. I stepped forward, about to say something—something I should have done a long time ago, but at the last minute, Jackie grabbed my arm to stop me. Jackie knew I couldn't hold my anger any longer, so she quickly leaned in and whispered something in my ear. "Stop, Lady Ari. I understand your feelings, but it's not the best time for it. We are in a very bad position right now. Lashing out at Seraphina will only make it worse." I turned my face to Jackie's worried expression. "Please, Lady Ari, listen to me just this time." I took a deep breath and stepped backward. Jackie held me, protecting me from a possible assault. Seraphina approached the s
AriI stood up, trembling, in front of the mirror. My gaze fixed on the stranger staring back at me, and I forced a bitter smile onto my lips. My fingers traced the shortened strands of my once-long hair, and I hated the way it looked. It served as a stark reminder of the humiliation and loss I had endured because of my stepmother. I couldn’t help but wonder when this series of misfortune would come to an end, silently pleading with the moon goddess.Tears welled up and streamed down my cheeks, distorting the reflection I could no longer bear to confront. My hair, once a source of pride and dignity, had become just another casualty of my stepmother's cruelty. She had taken everything from me—my family, my happily ever after, the dream of a fairytale wedding, the loyal people who had faithfully served us, and even my deceased father's honor. The Ironwolf and my malevolent stepmother had left me with nothing. I felt utterly depleted, my will to live extinguished.Sinking to the floor, I
KristoffMy room felt like a prison, suffocating me with its confinement. The house arrest imposed upon me was driving me mad. An intense desire to break free and see Ari was gnawing at my every thought.I needed to find a way to get out of this room. And fast."Your mate is waiting, Kristoff. How can you afford not to find a way to get out of here?!" Ivar, my wolf, complained within the depths of my mind. I tweaked my hair in frustration as his words added to my distress."Ivar, trust me, if there was a way out, I would've taken it already. Guards are stationed all over, and this window might as well be sealed shut."Frustration welled up within me, eventually finding release in the forceful slam of my hand against the table. "I hold the title of Jarl and the crown alpha to this pack, yet here I am, confined like a prisoner in my own room!"Ivar acknowledged my exasperation, recognizing the severity of the predicament.The strong wish to be with Ari filled me with sorrow. Since the b
AriI kept my gaze fixed on the ground, avoiding any semblance of eye contact with the imposing omega leader. Jackie stood beside me, equally guilty for allowing me to skip my duties without reporting it. The omega leader's piercing stare made it clear that we were in trouble, and in this place, we couldn't afford even the slightest misstep."May I remind you that your privileged life is over? So why are you still acting like one? Don't you think it is unfair for the other omegas here that you skip work?"Jackie and I exchanged uneasy glances."I apologize, madam. But it was a decision I made. Jackie asked me to work that day, but I was the one who refused because I was not feeling well. I will take responsibility for my mistake. Just spare Jackie because she is not at fault here," I spoke, humbly.But the omega leader responded with a sly smirk. “So you think your little apology can change everything? You’re wrong, half-rank! This isn’t your father’s house! You need to work here just
Ari"Where have you been, half-rank?"I struggled to keep my arms steady, fear coursing through my veins. The threat of the whip loomed large, and I couldn't help but glance nervously at it, wondering if it would be used against me."I did what you told me, madam. I went straight to that stream to fetch water," I replied, my voice trembling but attempting to hold a semblance of composure. The whip in the omega leader's hand cast a shadow over the conversation, making it hard for me to concentrate."You useless slave! Do not think of me as a fool!" she spat out. Fueled by anger, she lashed the whip across my arm, and the pain shot through me. I winced in pain as the omega leader continued to lash her whip. The other slaves paused their work, their eyes widening with alarm as they gathered around me.Another slave, Jenna, stepped forward, her face full of contempt. “How dare you lie!” she exclaimed while pointing her finger at me. She addressed the crowd of omegas around us. “I saw her
AriI jolted awake, the sudden knock on the door shattering the quiet of the night. Confused about who it might be, I stumbled to my feet, and as I swung the door open, my eyes widened in disbelief. Standing before me was the omega leader, the last person I expected to see outside my door at this ungodly hour. But something was different; her usually harsh features were softened. She was out of the usual resentment and hatred that had become synonymous with her presence.For a moment, I was left speechless, grappling with the strangeness of the situation. It was well past midnight, and the omega leader had sought me out. My mind raced with questions as I tried to fathom her purpose for this unexpected visit.“Greetings,” she murmured, glancing cautiously left and right through the dimly lit hallway. Her voice was a whisper, and I couldn't help but wonder about the urgency behind her visit."May I come in?" she asked, her words hanging in the air like a delicate secret. Memories of ins