Zane’s POVI was leisurely sitting on my black high-back leather executive chair, browsing through essential yet boring documents I needed to review and sign, when a series of knocks irritated me.“What?” I shouted, irritably placing the documents on the table and glaring at the opened door.Benji, one of the guards stationed at the entrance of the pack house, cautiously entered with fear and urgency all over his face. The drops of sweat on the side of my forehead told me that it was not only because of his fear of me but because he ran in there.“What’s so urgent about?”I lay back in my chair, not caring much. I’m the Lycan King. More than anything, I’m the Dark Lord. No one in their right mind would attack the kingdom, and even if someone did so, my well-trained warriors would easily wipe them off.We were known to be ruthless. What exactly there in this word could even shake me?I was overflowing with confidence—I had never been so sure in my life. That was until Benji’s next word
Tessa’s POVAngry. Fear. Flustered. Frustration.I felt like I was in a rollercoaster ride. When I saw Zane earlier, I thought he’d take my side, but I guess I got so used to him being a bit kinder to me that I overestimated myself.Not only did he not help me, but he even intentionally let me get hurt. Yes, I saw him from my peripheral vision.What? If I wasn’t about to get killed, he wouldn’t intervened.And he carried me like I was some kind of rag doll! A rag doll! I was so frustrated then that I sent punches on his back, but when he slapped my ass, I reddened in shame.It’s official. I hate him!“I asked Mildred to let me cook because I want to cook you your favorite dish, but that gamma of yours threw it all away!”After I said that in an outburst, he halted and stared deep into my eyes as if reading me. What? Was it so surprising that someone wanted to cook for him?I was about to get nosy and ask more when the door was busted open.Fred, with his sling medical bag on his shoul
Tessa’s POVI was woken in the morning by a persistent knock at my door that didn’t go away no matter how long I ignored it. I sat up with a groan and padded to the door to turn open the lock.A maid came through a moment later and curtsied. “Good morning, Miss. The King wants you to get ready and come downstairs immediately.”I frowned at her, confused, my sleep-addled brain not comprehending what was going on. I was even more confused when she pressed what looked like a tracksuit piece and some trainers in my hand. I unfolded the cloth to reveal that it was indeed that.Looking back to the maid, she offered no other insight, so I nodded hesitantly. “Alright. Tell him to please give me a few minutes.”She nodded and curtsied again before leaving me to prepare.I didn’t bother to shower because of the nature of the clothes I’d been given. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I dressed in the clothes and slipped on the trainers. I pulled my hair into a messy ponytail and bounde
Tessa’s POVAfter the training, I went back inside my room to take a bath. With all that excessive force, my entire body muscles were stiff. The instant my body touched the warm water, I sighed in relief.While I was dressing, another maid came in to tell me Zane requested my presence at the dining table for a meal. I told her to give me a few minutes, and she nodded before leaving.I changed into a pair of leggings and a cotton shirt, did as asked, and went downstairs. There was no one else in the dining room, but I was greeted by the delectable scent of fried, saucy chicken.Arriving, I couldn’t help the frown that formed on my lips upon seeing a single set of tableware.“Isn’t the Dark Lord coming?” I doubted it, but I couldn’t help the sliver of hope that needled its way into my chest.“No, miss. Sorry. He said he would be at the Packhouse for a meeting. If you need anything at all, please let me know. I was also asked to remind you not to leave the palace without your guard. For
Zane’s POV“We’re yet to get the receipts for the samples from Alpha Tristan. He’s being suspiciously tight-lipped about where he got this latest stock from.” Fred informed me.We were seated in my study, me behind my desk, him in one of the visitor's chairs across from me. A bottle of whiskey sat between us, with both our glasses left largely untouched on the table.“Hmm.” I leaned back in my seat. “Perhaps Tristan needs some stronger motivation to make him more compliant.”Tristan was the alpha of Dark Hail Pack. Their pack was known to be the distributor for medicine because of their skilled analyst and vast connections in both legal and illegal sides of the business.Fred raised a brow. “I don’t think it’s come to any drastic measures. I’ll let him get back to us first. If he’s still being shady we’ll give him a stern talking to.”I reached for my whiskey and took a sip. “Good. What about the Malteeve contract? Has the Red White Clan gotten back to you on that?”Red White Clan was
Tessa’s POVI groaned and bent forward, leaning my upper body on my thighs while I panted and tried to keep myself from crumpling into an exhausted heap.“I can’t…go…on…” I panted at Zane, and he chuckled.“That’s the attitude that’s keeping you from running the same number of laps every day. You need to push yourself. You can do it. You just don’t think you can.”I straightened, trying to slow my breaths. “I really want to…” I paused to take several more breaths. “It’s just that.... it’s so hard.”My breaths finally evened out but my legs remained rubbery and exhausted, my body weakened by the constant activity. We’d been at it for hours, teaching me some defensive combinations to try out after the laps I’d run around the training ground.My size should give me an advantage in terms of speed and agility, at least according to Zane. Unfortunately for us both, it wasn’t happening. I was too slow, too clumsy, and too weak.“Don’t worry. Just make sure you keep practicing. As long as you
Tessa’s POVI looked around, sniffing the lovely scent of fresh sweet flowers, tree musks, and even the dirt.Bitterly, I smiled while I slid my fingers on the bushes while I walked. “It would have been great if I could shift.”“You can’t shift?” Zane halted and looked at me with narrowed eyes.Spreading my arms with my shoulders up, I sarcastically joked, “Surprise, surprise! Just when you thought I couldn’t be more weaker than I am, huh?”“And still, you dare to have that stubbornness and uncontrollable guts of yours!” I stared at him, trying to see if he was being serious or joking to make me feel better. But with his usual stoic face, it’s useless.Really! Seeing him smile and be at ease was as rare as stumbling into a gem!“I wasn’t blessed with physical strength or shifting abilities! Should I also have a weak will? Then I’d be a real joke.” With that, I hastened my phase.“You’re not weak,” he suddenly said, making me halt.Slowly, I turned around to face him. “What did you say
Zane’s POV“You're dead!” I said through gritted teeth as I caught the flying knife with my bare hand.Sure, its sting and pain cursed through my system, but it was bearable. After being in countless battles and tortures, one would be surprised how much pain they could learn to tolerate.I didn’t know who they were, but they were obviously mere pawns. It didn’t even take me so much time to fight and defeat the three of them. And because they only had small knives, they weren’t as prepared as they thought they were.“Let’s go. Are you alright?” I asked Tessa, who nodded in shock.“Good, let’s go.”After disposing of the would-be assassin, I had my men escort us back to the mansion just to be sure we weren’t ambushed on the road.Tessa was pretty shaken up by the whole thing. The last blade especially had nearly gotten to her until I’d yanked her once more into safety.“I’m fine.” She reassured me when I glanced over at her for what had to be the thousandth time in this not-so-long car
Jessica’s POVI momentarily halted from my steps as soon as I heard his words. My entire body became tense as I asked myself if I heard it right.He’s Zane. He’s the King of this entire kingdom and was known for being the Devil Lord. Above all, everyone feared him – so much that some of the packs he attacked gave up their own Luna for their safety as Eric did.“He hasn't done that. Not since he met you…” my wolf pointed out, making my heart beat wildly.“It’s just a coincidence. Maybe he was really done already,” I replied before momentarily closing my eyes and calming myself.“Come on, no time to slack off!”Wendell’s shout unfazed me, and I opened my eyes to see the kingdom’s warriors running in line.Right, it’s time for their training.Shaking off the feelings brought my Zane, which confused my mind and brought emotions I didn’t want to develop. I kept my head held high and decided to brush off his words.“Fall in line, everyone! Today, I want each of you to pick a partner. I’ll o
Zane’s POVIn the end, I couldn’t do anything. After all, no matter how much I wanted to stop her from her recklessness, I couldn’t push too much as she was no longer under my wings.“It started as a game. You treated her as a toy. Did it become so real now?” my wolf teased, but that question completely caught me off guard.I brushed him off in annoyance and went back to my office with annoyance.To my surprise, as soon as I woke up the following day, I learned that Jess was already starting her training again, as if she wasn’t unconscious in the clinic yesterday.My heart clenched with a mixture of many emotions I couldn’t understand – fear, worry, annoyance, frustration, and so many more. I was leaning against one of the trees and staring at her training with the other White Clans.She’s sparring fiercely with Tyrone, and I must admit that her sharp and precise attacks were admirable.I crossed my arms over my shoulders as I kept my focus on her, watching her every breath of exhaust
Jessica’s POVI stirred on the hard bed, trying to get up from my sleep - or so I thought…As soon as I tried to get up, I felt the stings cursing through my body. My eyelids were heavy, and I couldn’t help the moan that escaped my lips as I forced my body to make some shift in position.“What the—" I gasped as I opened my eyes, greeted by the blinding light and white ceiling above me.Furrowing my brows, I blinked a couple of times and tried to re-adjust my vision.“Jess! Are you okay? How are you feeling? Does anything hurt?” I heard a thousand questions bombarding me, but all of their words seemed muffled in my mind, and I was not yet fully adjusted to my surroundings.I raised my arm and held my head as a scrutinizing pain blew my mind, and all the information of what happened rushed through me. Then, fumes of madness boiled through my veins as I remembered how Alpha Ralph was almost within my reach and still managed to escape.“Anastasha… He… I…” I tried to reach for Anastasha an
Zane’s POVMy steps halted when I heard Wendell’s dictative voice. Though the White Clan hadn’t been here long, I observed them long enough to know how they roll.Despite their ranks, they all respect each other and rarely pull ranks on each other. They were more of a family. But right now, Wendell’s voice was so deep and full, laced with a threatening roar.He wasn’t asking. He’s demanding an answer.His voice greatly affected them, and the atmosphere suddenly changed. The other White Clan members stood still in silence.Anastasha looked down at the ground while fisting her hand into a ball so tight that blood started dripping from her palms as her long nails embedded in her skin.Shifting my head just a little bit to pick, I watched them in the shadows.Wendell stepped forward, his face only two inches away from Anastasha. She tried to shift her head away, but he only leaned closer to her, leaving her no room to move.“Speak!” he shouted.“I can’t… I promised her.”By this time, Ana
Zane’s POV“Who is that?” That was my first question when I arrived downstairs and had a vivid vision of who Tyrone was carrying.It turned out to be a Rogue who was almost on the brink of death.My brows furrowed. “What happened? And where’s Te—Jessica?”I looked around but couldn't see her, which only added to my fast-beating heart's worry, especially when I realized there were only three.Hansel, who was usually with Jess, was not here, and so was Anastasha, who was not only a tracker but also the one who gave them first aid.Did something happen to her? Was it bad?“Bring him to the torture room.” Wendell gestured for Tyrone to move forward, and he did so without glancing at me. Lyndon followed him.I followed them with my eyes as anxiety rose in me. Lyndon was the goofiest one among them. But now, he looked extremely serious and cold, like an invincible fire was surrounding him.Even the Omegas lurking around felt the blazing fire of fury radiating around him as they hastily move
Jessica's POVFury and disappointment surged all over me while I watched Alpha Ralph slowly vanish from my eyes.One inch! My arm was outstretched in the air and just one inch away from gasping his hand, but I still failed.I never felt more disappointed and blameful toward myself right now than ever.My chest rose and fell heavily as I looked down on the cliff, which was covered with mist below. I vowed, "I'll find you, Alpha Ralph, and once I do, I'll make sure you pay for everything you did.""Great, just what I needed," I commented after turning around and finding about ten members of Silver Rogues surrounding me.At least I got someone I could vent all the fuming rage building up on me.Stretching my neck, I swiveled my Scimitars and pointed at them. "What are you here for?"They still had their masks on, hiding their face. Looking at each other, they nodded, and I knew instantly that talking with them would be a waste of time.Most of them pulled out knives or swords. Still, the
Zane's POVLeaning on my wooden desk, I stared at the closing door, where Tessa's figure slowly vanished, wondering how on earth she could have so much effect on me while…“Did you hear what that bitch said to me?”I slowly shifted my gaze to Morgan. She was fuming mad. Her cheeks were puffed, her eyes were sending lasers, and she pointed a finger at where Tessa was earlier.For three years, she stayed in this pack, and I let her. But with all those years, she never had the same effect as Tessa had on me. She couldn't make me feel excited or eager to pull her close to me.Seeing her only makes me more annoyed than ever."Zane! Are you hearing me?" Morgan snapped her fingers at me, looking at me with blame."Why are you here?" I impatiently asked before turning around and going back to my work.It's better for me to drown myself in work before I lose control and run after Tessa… Jessica…'How could you change so my, Tess?' That question kept bothering me, but she was right.She's not u
Jessica’s POVThree years agoI woke up from the coldness that touched my skin. Moaning in pain that’s radiating all over my body, I slowly opened my eyes.It's been three days since the White Clan found me. Because I didn’t have my wolf yet, my healing process from thee beatings and the impact on the water was still almost fresh in my body and I’ve been on bed rest since then.“Don’t move, you’ll reap open your stitches.” I heard that she’s Anastasha and that she’s the best tracker in the group.Because she’s also the only woman in the clan, she’s the one who has been taking care of me. Although she seemed distant and was acting a bit of a bitch, I could feel that she actually cared more than she let on.“I…” I tried to speak but instead of words, all that came out of my lips was moaning as I felt the bruises on my body.She raised her eyebrow at me, finishing re-dresing my wounds. Standing up, she said, “Do us both a favor and don’t try to speak if you still can’t handle it.”‘And t
Jessica’s POVAlthough Anastasha would act like a bitch most of the time, we all knew that it was just her mask to protect her fragile heart. After the tragedy she experienced before, being betrayed by her own mate who killed her entire pack, I salute her for being so strong and brave.Despite that, she could still love and express it.“Just because she wasn’t whining or being dramatic like most girls doesn’t mean she isn’t hurting,” I told Wendell.He leaned back on his chair. “She isn’t serious. She’s just being like that to cope with everything.”I huffed and looked at him in disbelief. Shaking my head, I affirmed Anastasha’s earlier words. “She’s right. You have a heart of stone.”“Enough of that! Why did you come here?”I squinted my eyes and walked toward the sofa, sitting on it. He’s definitely avoiding the topic.Because of his usual stoic facial expression, even though I’ve been serving with him for three years, I still couldn’t read him enough to know whether he had feelings