“So what are we going to do now that I've conceived your child, Darius?” One girl and a mission. In a sinister turn of events, Hazel , a quiet and shy introvert fate is twisted when she is offered in place of her stepsister to the cruel Rogue King as a settlement of debt. Hazel is consumed by fear for her life mated to the infamous Rogue King and resorts to fleeing from home. Darius is the rogue king. He is a ferocious and unyielding leader whose thirst for an heir has made him bitter and when his fiancee bores him no heir due to infertility, he seeks for alternate solutions. In the run for freedom, Hazel finds herself in the place she never wanted to be— under the Rogue King's thumb. Tension rises between the two and a fire of burning desire is ignited. But will that be enough to save the charred remains of their relationship when Darius learns his former fiancee is carrying his heir? Would Hazel ’s Life fall back in place or will she remain crushed? Would Darius cherish his true mate or neglect her now that he has what he always wanted?
View MoreCHAPTER ONE
HAZEL PRATT
A sudden cascade of cold liquid jolted me from my sleep, leaving me disoriented and staring in shock at my soaked dress. Was there a leak in the ceiling? Was it raining?
“Sleep, that's all she ever does. When will you ever get your work complete? We don't have all day!” Lucian's voice cut through the confusion, making me shrink back in fear.
It hadn’t rained. It was my stepfather, Lucian. He hurled the bucket he had been holding, striking me squarely in the stomach. I winced in pain.
“There's work to be done!” he barked. “Yet you lay here shamelessly and even dare to sleep.”
I glanced around the workload in the kitchen and wondered how they got there. The piles of plates, the soup stains on the floor, flour on the table and soiled dish cloths. I could swear I had tidied up the place before sitting down to rest. Then I may have fallen asleep in the process
But one thing I was certain of was that, I had cleaned up earlier, else how would I dare sleep?
“I-I’m sorry,” I stammered, trying to pull myself together. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“I'm not your father,” he spat and stared at me with disgust. “Don't you know what time it is? Look at all the mess around.”
“I cleaned up this morning,” I tried to explain.
He glared daggers at me. “Is that so? Then how are all these, here? Who used them? Is it me?” He demanded in a cold tone.
I swallowed and kept mute. How would I explain to him that I had cleaned up and I had no idea how all these happened.
“Answer me!” He snapped.
A lump formed in my throat but I still couldn't find the right words to say. He would never believe me anyways.
Lucian approached me and slapped me hard on the face. “I have told you countless times, to never keep silent whenever I'm asking you questions.”
The tears that had been pricking the corners of my eyes dropped effortlessly and slipped down my cheek. As much as it stung, I couldn't dare place my hand on it or he would slap me twice.
“You have just one job,” Aurora, my step sister, said as she came into view. “Tidy up. That's all papa asks of you and you still can't do it well enough.”
Anger flashed in my eyes as she stared at me, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes. It was her who had created the mess. That, I was sure of.
“What are you waiting for?” Lucian demanded. “Do you want me to lash you with the whip before you do the right thing?”
“I'm sorry,” I apologised hastily and grabbed a broom. “I'll get busy now. I'll clean the mess.”
Lucian sneered, his face twisted with contempt. “You should be sorry for your life. You’re useless, just like your mother was.”
His words were a dagger to my heart, the pain fresh every time he spoke of her with such disdain.
Since my mother’s death, Lucian had discarded any pretence of kindness. I was nothing more than a servant in my own home, forced to do all the house chores.
No one knew my true identity, because I was never introduced to anyone as his daughter. Back then when I was younger, I used to think he was protecting me, at least that's what he told me .
I used to ask my mother why she and Lucian never introduced me to their friends but all they would say to me is that they are trying to keep me safe from the evil of the world.
But they lied. They weren't protecting me. They were embarrassed to have a weakling for a child. It became obvious as I grew.
“Soon, it will be over,” I whispered silently to myself.
It was more of a manifestation than a comfort. In two days I would be eighteen and I would finally have my wolf. Then my life will fall in place as mom had assured. I would get married to the Alpha King and that would be the end of my suffering.
For now, I had to endure.
“Have you told her?” Aurora asked her father, staining the place I had just wiped with her filthy shoes.
My ear perked up at her statement. What could she be hinting at? I was so curious to find out that I forgot I wanted to yell at her for leaving muddy trails on the kitchen floor.
“What is that?” I asked softly.
Aurora grinned. Her very irritating malicious grin sent shivers down my spine and I could tell it wasn't something good. My heart thumped loudly in my chest as I glanced from her to Lucian, waiting for either of them to say something.
“What's going on?” I pressed, trying to keep my tone low.
“You didn't know?” She teased.
This girl was dumb. If I knew, would I ask her?
I shook my head. “No I don't.”
She squealed in excitement. “I guess that's my father's news to tell.”
As I scrubbed the floor, Lucian’s shadow loomed over me. “I have news,” he said, his voice dripping with malice. “Your sister will be marrying the Alpha.”
I froze, the scrubbing brush slipping from my hand. “What? But it was supposed to be me…”
Lucian’s laughter echoed through the room, cold and cruel. “You? Marry the Alpha? Don’t make me laugh. You’re not fit to shine his shoes.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I fought them back, refusing to give him the satisfaction. “What will happen to me?”
A sinister smile spread across his face. “I have a better offer for you. The Rogue King has agreed to take you in exchange for a debt I owe him.”
My blood ran cold. The Rogue King was notorious, a monster who ruled through fear and cruelty. “You can’t do this,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
Lucian grabbed my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes. “Oh, but I can. And I will. You’re nothing to me. Just a means to an end.”
Panic surged through me as his words sank in. I was being sold like a piece of property to a man who was known for his brutality. The room spun as I tried to process the nightmare that had become my reality.
Lucian released me with a shove, and I stumbled back, struggling to stay on my feet. “Pack your things,” he ordered. “You leave tonight.”
****
Tears streamed down my face as I began to pack up my clothes into a small bag. I didn't have a lot so the little would do. I don't know how long I had been crying but the migraine in my forehead could tell It had been for a long while.
I had been denied my position because my mother was no longer alive. I was the chosen one for the Alpha. How did the tables turn so quickly?
Darius the Rogue King was not only notorious but a murderer. He murdered people in cold blood and tortured them, regardless of their gender. Whoever made it to his list of offenders didn't live to see the light of day. I loathed him and feared him.
“No, I can't,” I said to myself.
I would not let myself be used as an object. As a price for someone's sin. I stared at my small bag and peeked out the window. Dusk was creeping in and I was certain that my step father would soon send for me. And that would be it.
I had to think of something. My life couldn't end this way.
The sound of my door creaking open invaded my thoughts and I turned my head to find Aurora standing at the entrance with a beautiful smile on her face.
For a minute I was lost, staring at her beautiful face. Who wouldn't want her? She had luscious hair, beautiful eyes and a curvy body. Her hands were delicate and she did her skincare. If she wasn't my sister, I would have thought she was royalty.
Envy gnawed at my insides as I glared at her. I hated her. I was nothing like her. I was a plain Hazel who scrubbed in the kitchen and slept on the floor. There was absolutely nothing beautiful about me.
“Maybe when you're done admiring me, you'll let me know,” she whispered in a soft foreign voice, that sounded nothing like hers.
I shrugged. “Don't do that. It's irritating.”
“My voice, I'm practising. I have to sound soft when I meet the Alpha tomorrow.”
Anger rushed through my veins and I returned my attention to the clothes I was packing.
“You're just going to ignore me?”
I scoffed. “What are you doing here?”
“I see you're all packed up already. I'll miss you so much you know? But that's alright. When I finally become the Alpha’s Luna, I'll ask him to save a spot for you in the kitchen. Every maid has a bed there and they eat good food.”
I wanted to tear her mouth open with my bare hands and ruin her pretty face but I had to keep my cool.
“I'm not a maid,” I said firmly.
“There's no difference,” she said, frowning. “You will crumble, Hazel and I'm sure papa will make sure that happens. You do know what the Rogue King is like, don't you?”
Before I could respond, she walked out, slamming the door behind her.
I sat curled up in a corner with the bag on my lap, waiting for my fate. And that was when it occurred to me.
There was someone I could turn to for help.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-NINEHAZEL'S POV {One Year Later}I pushed the baby in the cot, hearing him moan and look up at me with twinkling eyes. “Sweet Dennis, you know you want to sleep. Don't give mom a headache. You know I should be with the twins, right? It's their birthday, and you had me with you all day.” I said, touching his cheeks, and he giggled. His giggle— my freedom.After Xander had been banished, and Melissa had been cast into the dungeon, I'd been so traumatized. She'd truly given birth to a baby, but it had been given to Xander. That was the last thing Darius could do to compensate him as a Beta as he sent him off to never return. As for Melissa? She remained in the dungeon. The moment she gave birth to the baby, she hated it. She complained the baby didn't give her freedom and seeing it made her remember Xander whom she painted to be a traitor and a snitch. Staying in the dungeon had broken her and the maids whispered of how she murmurs inaudible words,
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHTMELISSA'S POV I yawned, stepping out of the room to get myself something to eat. Perhaps, it was just my intuition, but the house felt strangely quiet. The fridge light reflected on my face as I pulled it open, and I saw that Hazel's food for the day hadn't been given to her. “Are you planning to starve her now that we're going to kill her?” I called out, “Well, good riddance!”My voice bounced back to me in echoes, and I stepped back, “Xander?” My feet crossed the living room quickly to the room he usually slept, and I pushed open the door. He wasn't there. Did he really go to a hotel, or was he down in the basement with Hazel?Turning around, I went straight to the basement, and pushed it open, looking inside as I switched on the light. Hazel wasn't there!It hit me like a bolt of terror. “Xander! Hazel!” I called into the empty basement as if they would reply from some hiding place.“No, no! Stop thinking crazy thoughts, Melissa!” Quickl
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVENHAZEL’S POV I couldn't believe it when Xander was loosing the ropes from me. I was finally free. My hands were so white, and devoid of blood, completely lifeless. After freeing my legs, he helped me rise to my feet, but I fell back almost immediately. He caught me, and we waited a while for me to be able to regain the feeling in my legs. Walking was strange and difficult after being tied up for so long, but after taking a few steps, I finally began to get the hang of it, my heart pounding in excitement as we left the house. Xander took me in his car to the mansion, and I rubbed my hands in anxiety. I would see my kids. I would see Darius. Night had fallen completely by the time we got to the mansion, and when the guards at the gate saw Xander, they gave a signal, and different guards came out from different angles, surrounding us with weapons trained on us. “Beta Xander, you have been…” A guard began.“I know. I know… just take me to the Kin
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SIXXANDER’S POV As Melissa walked past me, my hands balled into a fist, and shook so much that I couldn't even find a way to calm myself. She had crossed the line. She had done way too much. She had said way too much!My chest burned intensely, as a wild heat rampaged around, spreading deep within me, like a fire racing down a forest, burning everything in sight. Damn everything. Damn it all. I wouldn't let her have what she wanted. My baby! She was going to give it to Darius. And then killed Hazel? That was impossible. Yes, I'm mad at Hazel, but I still love her and wouldn't just let her die. The thought ate at me for hours, digging deep inside of me, probing me, disturbing me, until I finally realized I couldn't stay still. Hazel couldn't just die like that. I know it sounds crazy to not want her dead after everything she did to me, but for the sake of the past… perhaps just for the past…I stormed down to the basement where she stayed tied u
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE MELISSA’S POV Yes, Three long weeks went past, and my life became so static, and stagnant. Seeing Hazel’s face everyday honestly made me want to puke. At times, I’d meet her praying for her kids, and that would anger me more. She’d become a kind of punching bag for me because I vented my full anger on her whenever I felt like it. As for Xander, I didn’t know how he was doing it. For the time being, there was no trouble even with Darius having the kids, so I guessed all was going well. Perhaps he’d been avoiding Darius, although that was almost impossible and risking.However, how he handled it wasn’t really my problem. The only thing he’d become useful for was pleasing my body’s sexual desires. When he wasn’t doing that, everything else he was doing naturally became annoying. That very morning, I woke with a fever; something that was very rare for me to have. I got up, took some water, but my headache only got worse. Eventually, I crawled back
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOUR DARIUS’ POV {Three Weeks Later}The last three weeks that passed were hectic. Azel was still so closed off, and wouldn’t talk to me. He would not eat, and get me worried so much that I’d have to ask Theresa to find out what he wants, and take care of him so he wouldn’t get sick. Recently, things got worse. Azella, who was the more receptive one suddenly locked herself up, and wouldn’t leave her room. It was what baffled me the most, and caused me sleepless nights. A knock sounded on my door, and Theresa came in, holding Azel, who had a lollipop in his mouth, and a scowl on his face. “Yes?” “You asked for my report. Azella still won’t come out, and keeps crying. She won't let anyone talk to her.” She said, and I pushed aside the hectic work on my desk, with a sigh, before rising to my feet. Damn. My men were all over, looking for Melissa now. She’d simply gone off the grid. Her phone was untrackable. All of her records were blank. How she did
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-THREE DARIUS’ POV {The Previous Day}My heart stirred as I beheld the two children before me. My kids. Seeing the girl again, my resemblance was present in her shining face. And the boy… he was a combination of me and Hazel. They were really my kids—my heirs. They were… mine. The feeling in my chest felt tight. Like I couldn’t breathe. Just the pain of seeing them so close to me. I’d missed so many important things in their lives. Things I wanted to do with my heirs—take first steps, go out somewhere nice, hear them call my name. The girl smiled happily, her cheeks turning a deep pink as her adorable smile reached her ears. However, the boy had a deep-seated frown on his face, making him look more like me instead of Hazel. I raised my hand, and the guards following all came to stand behind me.“Take the kids in. Give them to Theresa. Food, water, clothes, a bed… give them everything they need.” I said, and they nodded, going to the kids. Azella'
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-TWOMELISSA'S POV Damn it. I was drunk.She was probably not in her right senses too. The silence was too thick, and my eyes fell on his lips. Firm, smooth, full… like a magnetic attraction, I was drawn to them, and couldn't take my eyes off them. And he made the move. He placed his hand behind my head, and bent to kiss me. It was when his lips touched mine that I knew it—my body ached to be loved. It ached to be wanted, wanted to be remembered. I'd spend so many years aching for Darius who never looked my way that I forgot what my body craved, and needed. My tears dropped as the kiss between me and Xander ran deeper, like we wanted to devour the whole of us, tongues gliding over tongues, over lips. My hands found the hardness of his chest, roaming around it as the feet seemed to pull out from underneath me. I fell against him, and he supported me, since the world was becoming unstable. My fingers ended up ripping his buttons, pulling his shirt
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-ONEMELISSA'S POV PRESENTLY “The kids are what?” I asked, shocked. “Missing for three days.” My whole world crashed on me. They were dead. Two malnourished kids on their own for three days. They were dead. What would I do? My hands slowly threaded into my hair. If Darius ever found out…What would be my plan? What exactly was the whole plan from the start. Darius was never supposed to find out. He found out, and ruined everything. His patience would soon wear thin. He would soon realize that I would never ask for anything, and all I wanted was their deaths. What exactly was my plan?My hands fell limply to my sides, and I turned away from my parents, feeling the devastation continue to creep on me, snatching my chest in its iron grip. “Melissa! Where are you going in that manner? You…”“Don't act like you care! You ruined me!” I screamed, without even looking back. I needed to think. There was no way I'd see the twins if I wanted to start search
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