CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN MELISSA'S POV.Of course, I had no choice, but to stop hitting the damned idiot, and leave it for another day. If she died too early, then I would be in trouble. So annoying. I'd have loved to pummel her until she spilled out her intestines, and soaked the floor in her blood.I was still amidst my violent thoughts when I approached the mansion, and met it in an even bigger frenzy. Everyone was going around like a swarm of crazy bees. Didn't they see the time? It was past the time the maids ought to retire, and the time for guards to swap shifts, but they were all over the mansion like ants around sugar. Walking through the gates, I called a guard, who was about to walk past me. “What's going on? Why is everyone everywhere? Shouldn't some calm have settled in the mansion by now?” I looked around, “I've been seeing this annoying ruckus since the beginning of the street. Is Darius back?”“Yes, Lady Melissa.”“That's Luna to you!” I snapped, and he bo
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEENDARIUS' POV.Throughout the night, I couldn't find a wink of sleep. Tossing and turning on the white sheets, the night faded away into morning. A turmoil of emotions tormented me. Anger, frustration, regret, longing for Hazel, and the murderous urge gnawing at my chest. I wanted to storm to her room, pick her up by the neck, and force her to lead me to where I kept Hazel, but I knew better.I had to be smarter. Tiredness and despair bogged me down like a heavy luggage when I called Lincoln, the head of a group of men I'd put together for a different mission. “Good morning, King Darius.” He greeted me with a bow, and I rubbed my temples with my fingers.I poured myself a few cups of brandy, as he and the four men I'd appointed to work with him, stood before him. They had stiff faces with heavy body builds, and scars here and there on their bodies. “Where are the reports on you following Melissa? I trust you've found something.” I said, shooting glar
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEENMELISSA’S POV.“How's it going? Trust two kids isn't much to handle.” I said, as I smeared gloss on my lips, looking into the mirror. Mom began, with a sigh, “Melissa, this isn't…”That was the start of a big argument coming up, and I didn't have the time for that. There were better things I had to do than arguing.“I sent money.” I said, taking out the phone from between my shoulder and my cheek, setting it on the table before tapping on the speaker. “That's not enough, and you know it. These twins eat like beasts, yet they never get any fatter. The supplies in the house is down, and…”“I hope you're not letting them play outside? These kids cannot be found…” I cut in“No. I've forced them to stay in the attic.”“Do you monitor them all day? What if they escape?” I asked, applying blush onto my cheeks. “I've warned them not to make it out, lest they'll be killed, and so far, they've been obedient. Now, let's talk on the issue of this food, and mone
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEENOMNISCIENT POVThe dark attic. Two cowering kids, wrapped up in a blanket, holding hands. A dust-covered bed that was the only place they could sleep on. The scattered room was filled with useless, harmful and dangerous things. A toxic environment for four year old kids, and Azel and Azella watched as another dawn broke. Soon, sunlight would stream in. Just in a matter of a few more hours. The hatch would open, and a frowning old lady would climb in to give them food that should belong to pets. Tired, cold, hungry, and miserable— the kids only wanted one thing— Hazel. “You're burning up.” Azel said, as his little hand touched Azella's burning forehead. Sweat had plastered her hair over the sides of her face, but she was shivering.“I want mom.” She cried weakly. “Then let's find mom.” Azel said, jumping off the bed. He wrapped the blanket around Azella, and went to the old, dusty wardrobe. Upon opening it, dust coated his face, making him sneeze m
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN.MELISSA'S POV.It's been three days. Three days and I was unable to leave the godforsaken house we kept Hazel in. Xander told me to lessen my visits to the mansion because Darius had ordered more men to follow me, and not lose me the moment they saw me.He said their lives were on the line, so definitely these men would do anything just to catch me. I had to be super careful. My phone lit up, and I flung my sleep mask off my face, bolting off the bed to my phone which I'd abandoned on my makeup desk. Perhaps, the men had calmed down? I had so many places to go to. There was the skincare appointment I had in a few days, and an high school reunion. I had to show them that my life was still perfect, and way better than theirs, even if Darius was giving them secret joy by searching for Hazel all around! However, it wasn't Xander, but my parents. “Damn it! Don't call me!” I dropped the phone carelessly back into the desk, and slumped in my chair. W
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN.OMNISCIENT POV {Three Days Ago}As the kids walked, surrounded by the thick, tall trees, casting their leaves over the forest so that the weak sun could not even get a chance of shining through.The trees got more closely packed, and the roots became larger.Azel was getting scared. His little mind had alerted him that they were going the wrong way, but Azella was looking so pale that it would be impossible to tell her what he was thinking, and make her cry. He couldn't smell the familiar scent of the forest they were used to, nor could he see any of the marks he and Azella playfully left on the trees back at home.The whole place was strange, and different. It was quite obvious to him. “Are we… are we almost there?” Azella breathed out, her breath coming out shallowly. “We will be there soon.” Azel assured, watching as her face had become ghastly white, and sweat had wet her whole face. Even with that, her little hand was still desperately hidde
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEEN.OMNISCIENT POV “I'm afraid there's not really much we can get from them. Let's just keep them, mom. They're so cuuuuute!” Lisa, the younger of the two women said, as the twins chased each other over the sofas, jumping and flying happily, “It's been three days, and they're so happy here. The house has never been livelier. “The Queen says stop!” Azella shouted, and Azel stopped, still giggling, “You're not supposed to say that yet.” He replied.“We can't keep them. Out there, their mother would be in so much distress.” Brianna, Lisa's mother said. “Did you find mom?” Azella asked, hearing the word, and the twins immediately rushed to them, their round eyes eager to hear more. “Er… yes.” Brianna heard herself say, and the twins looked at each other in shock that surpassed happiness. Lisa nudged Brianna, who bit her lip. She couldn't bring herself to break the twins’ hearts anymore. Over the past three days, anytime she mentioned that she'd need ev
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY.Brianna and Lisa bought brand new clothes for the kids that evening, wanting to do everything to show that they were in fact happy with them, and not that they'd tortured them. They dressed Azella in a beautiful pink dress with fluffy pleats. Her hair was styled, and pretty pins were fixed on it. She looked like a pretty doll. Azel was dressed in a white T-shirt, white joggers, and deep blue jeans. He was given a superhero toy, while Azella was given a fluffy white teddy bear. “Like this, we're safe, right? If the Rogue King sees them looking this pretty and happy, he wouldn't hurt us, right? He'll be grateful, right?” Lisa asked, looking at Brianna with worried eyes. “We can only hope that we find favor in his eyes. At this point, there's really nothing we can do, but to face it.And so they went; taking the twins with them on the long journey to the mansion. They spent all night on the road, and arrived at the mansion when the sun was rising slowl
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