Lucas' POV"Did you lie to me?" I put down my mobile and asked Josephine in the car.On the screen of my phone, there was a video clip reeling. I saw it clearly. Josephine jumped into the swimming pool by herself. Leah didn't push her.This piece of video was posted on Twitter by a man named Darren_S. Apparently, this Darren guy witnessed the whole process of the farce and videotaped it before posting the entire uncutted version online.Josephine sat next to me in my car. Her once-beautiful features twisted with despair when she took a glance at the video clip online.People swarmed at this video and cursed Josephine in all kinds of languages.Being a low profiled person, I hated exposure like this."Are you accusing me of lying?" She played innocent again. But I no longer believed her."Did you?" I asked. My voice was stern and unforgiving.Josephine was speechless, turning her head away from me to avoid eye contact."How could you do this?" I asked. My voice was dripping with anger.
Leah's POVA few days later, I went to my brother's company UniHealer. His Beta Jalin had prepared a room on the top floor to be my new office.After stepping out of the private elevator, I saw the entire landscape of our city in front of me through the giant top-to-floor window."Welcome back, Leah," Beta Jalin, who had been waiting for me next to the elevator door, said with a big smile on his face."Jalin! I miss you so much!" I wrapped my arms around his neck and said.He was three years older than Lucian and he used to babysit me all the time when I was a child. Later, he became my mentor and best friend."So, do you like it?" He showed me around my office.I ran around in the spacious office like a little lark and said, "This is beautiful! When Lucian told me that you'd prepared me a room, I thought it was a cubicle. I hadn't expected an entire floor!""Great!" Jalin caught me like he was catching a rabbit and put me in the chair. "Now stop bouncing around and get to business. I'
Leah's POVLucian stared at Clara with a cold stare and said, "Mind your words, Miss Farrow. There's a surveillance camera in this room. I know you're drunk, but you're threatening my guest in front of my face. The Royal Court will prosecute you for being disrespectful to the Lycans."Clara immediately flinched and mumbled, "Sorry, Your Highness... It's just that I know this woman. She's an Omega and she's a liar! She posted my video online to get attention! She's a shameless bit..."She couldn't continue her speech, because the look on my brother's face was frightening.I slapped her hand away from my face and said, "If I had wanted to get people's attention, I would have posted another video clip online. The part shows a policeman dragging you on the floor. You weren't wearing any pants. I only posted your gambling video online because I wanted to prove my innocence. I didn't steal your mother's jewelry. You did. Anyway, I'm done talking to you. Now it's the time for you to leave."
Leah's POV"Lucian, please, it's hard enough for Mr. Farrow to admit his sister's challenging mental condition in front of us. I guess it's wise to pardon her this time. And I'm sure there won't be another incident like this happening in the future," I said.I was, even though I hate to admit it, born and raised to be benevolent and kind. I noticed that Clara was mentally challenged when I met her for the first time. She bashed a hot burning kettle at me. I didn't really take it personally at that time.When I called Lucian affectionately by his name, referring to him and me as "us", Lucas' face turned even darker.Now that he had more confirmation that there was something going on between Lucian and me.He clenched his fists and stared at me.I knew there were thousands of words he wanted to say to me, but he just didn't have a chance."Alpha Lucas, may I ask why are you staring at Miss Lewyn like that?" Lucian asked. He obviously didn't like his sister being stared at by anyone."I'
Leah's POVWhen he spread my legs and wrapped my legs around his waist, I suddenly realized that he was literally going to take me into this dark, narrow back alley of the restaurant.The shadow of buildings consumed both of us and so did our desperation.No, this isn't happening. It's not fair. I can't be taken by my ex-husband like this. No matter how badly he wants and how hot he is.My last stray of dignity was evoked and I started to struggle against him, trying to push him away."Lucas, stop..." I begged. My voice was trembling with fear and uncertainty.He ignored my plea and leaned in, capturing my lips with his in a hot, passionate kiss. It seemed that he wanted to soothe me. I could feel his longing for me, but I couldn't give in.My heart was pounding in my chest as I tried to resist the overwhelming desire to kiss him back. I wanted him, needed him, but I also knew that it was wrong."Lucas, don't..." I tried to push him again as his hands roamed over my body, tracing the
Leah's POV"I am Darren Swanson of the Eagle Tail Pack," Darren replied."And you know who I am?" Lucas asked."You're Alpha Lucas of the White Walkers Pack." Darren shrugged and said."I am Leah's husband," Lucas said in a warning voice."You're nothing but a loser, who was trying to harass a nice lady in broad daylight," Darren said.I looked up at Darren and said, "Darren, thanks for your concern. I'm just having a private conversation with my husband.""He was trying to hurt you, Leah," Darren said in a cold voice. He still held me tightly in his arms and refused to let go of me."And that's my problem. Let me deal with it." I looked at Darren and said in a calm voice.My heart was bleeding when I said those words because Darren looked hurt.He was hurt because he was trying to help me.At that time, I heard Jalin's voice, "Alpha! His Highness is here!"I looked up and saw Lucian striding into the alley, accompanied by his Beta Jalin and Lucas' BetaJorah.Lucian walked past Lucas,
Leah's POV"Jalin, prepare the divorce paperwork and send it to Flare Farrow." My brother said as he walked into the restaurant."Alpha, do you mean sending it to Alpha Lucas Farrow?" Jalin frowned.Lucian shook his head and said, "No. I mean Flare Farrow, Lucas' father. I'll let that old asshole deal with his deadbeat son.""Lucian, please don't do that. Lucas' father hates him more than anything in the world. He will kill Lucas if he finds out that his son is humiliated like this in public..." I whispered.My brother looked annoyed and said, "You're taking his side again, Leah. I didn't ask why you were outside with him because I respect your privacy. But I won't let him get away with insulting you and me at the same time.""But Lucian, I'm not taking his side. It's just... It took great courage and honesty to stand up against a Lycan Prince and speak up his mind. He was humiliated at the Derby party the other day and now he's humiliated again. Please don't blow this whole thing out
Leah's POVThe next morning, I woke up early to attend a morning briefing with Gean Lee.I asked Mr. Carson to set up our breakfast in the garden.As I walked into the garden, I saw a young man standing next to the table."Good morning, Miss Leah. My name is Gean Lee. I came here for the morning briefing. It's such an honor to meet you in person." He spoke in a velvety voice with an exotic oriental accent. It was like a mixture of accents. I really couldn't tell where he came from.Like what I had imagined in my mind, he looked tall and lean. He stood with a commanding presence. It was clear that he had served in the army. His physique bore a testament to the discipline and dedication required of soldiers."Glad to meet you, Mr. Gean Lee!" I said and shook his hands.Unlike his well-groomed face, his hands were coarse.My brother said Gean had experience with rogues. He must have been through a lot.As we were having breakfast together later on, the gentle morning breeze stroked past t
Leah's POVThe first thing I remembered was the cold. Not winter's bite, but the slick, oily chill of concrete against bare skin. My knees were scraped raw. My breath came in ragged bursts, fogging the air like gun smoke. I pressed my palms flat against the alley wall, felt the grime cling to my fingertips.Naked. The word slithered through my skull, venomous. Not just my body - my pride flayed open, left to rot beside dumpsters reeking of stale beer and regret.What the hell has happened to me? I remembered stabbing Lucas in the chest and walking into the flames.Now here I am. Naked in some sort of back alley.Voices slithered from the street."Lookie here... fresh meat. Yummy..." a man slurred. Three shadows lurched into the alley, their laughter wet and jagged. One held a bottle by its neck; the glass caught the neon buzz of the bar sign above. Red Rabbit Tavern. The letters bled crimson down the brick.Is this... human world?
Lycidas' POVLucian shook his head, his eyes closing as if the effort of speaking was too much.Late afternoon light slashed through barred windows, gilding dust motes that swirled like trapped spirits above Lucian's bed. My brother's once-indomitable frame now sank into feather pillows as if the mattress conspired to swallow him whole. His labored breaths syncopated with the grandfather clock's metronome tick-tock, tick-tockfrom the western wall - a sound that had scored every pivotal moment of our cursed lineage. I counted them as one counts heartbeats before execution: thirty-seven ticks since he'd last spoken. Seventy-three since I'd entered this tomb disguised as a king's quarters.When Lucian finally stirred, his eyelids lifted like rusted portcullises. Sunlight caught the silver threads in his black beard - premature aging, or the Moon Goddess' fingerprints? "Lycidas," he exhaled, the name disintegrating into a wet cough. I watched his thro
Lucian's POVJalin seized my chin, wrenching my face back to the mirror. "Are you waiting for me to dress you, Your Majesty?" His hands slid down, slow and possessive, unbuttoning my shirt with deliberate malice. The fabric parted, exposing my sunken chest, and his gloved fingers lingered, tracing the jut of my ribs. I grabbed his wrists, my frail grip trembling. "I'm tired," I whispered, voice a broken thread. "I don't want to see anyone today."Jalin sneered and tore the shirt from my shoulders, seams splitting like skin. He shoved me from the wheelchair, and I crashed to the floor, legs limp, a puppet with slashed strings. "Your brother's coming," he hissed, looming over me. "If you greet him like this - pathetic, lifeless - he'll think I've neglected my duties." His eyes burned with that familiar madness, a sadistic gleam that promised torment.I shrank back, breath shallow, rasping, "Jalin, please don't…" But he didn't pause. His hand fisted my hair,
Lycidas' POVI looked down at him, my jaw tight. "If you want the thing between us to work," I said, my voice low and dangerous, "you need to know some ground rules. The first and most important one is that you stay the fuckout of my family business. Do you understand?"He met my gaze, his eyes calm, unflinching. "Yes, Your Highness, I understand. But the thing is, since you entered the Kingdom, all your actions have been under the control of the Court. They reported your arrival to His Majesty, who summoned me last night..." I grabbed him by the throat, slamming him against the mirror. The glass cracked under the force, shards raining down around us. His face was scratched, blood trickling down his cheek, but he didn't struggle."Did you go and see my brother last night?! Did he fuck you?!" I roared.He whispered, "Your Highness, Lucian is sick now. He didn't...""If you mention my brother's name again," I snarled, "I'
Lycidas' POVI woke to the sting of sunlight slicing through the heavy drapes, the kind of light that felt like a mockery after the night I’d had. My head throbbed, a dull ache that seemed to echo the chaos of my thoughts. I rubbed my eyes, squinting at the room around me. It was obscenely luxurious, every surface polished to a blinding sheen, every piece of furniture carved with ornate, gaudy details. I sat up, the silk sheets slipping off my bare skin, and let out a bitter laugh. Finn's bedroom?The place reeked of excess, of a desperate attempt to mask something hollow. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my feet sinking into the plush carpet. The air smelled faintly of cedar and something metallic—blood, maybe, or the ghost of it. I stood, stretching the stiffness from my limbs, and made my way to the bathroom. The shower was scalding, the water slamming into my skin like punishment. I leaned against the tiled wall, let
Finn's POVLycidas didn't buy it. His clawed hand seized my hair, wrenching my head back so hard my neck screamed, and I gasped, the pretense slipping as pain flared."Fucking slut, is that all they'd taught you?!" he spat, raking his claws down my spine, tearing skin, spilling blood. I whimpered - half act, half truth—and he sneered, pressing his heat against me, his cock a brutal threat between my thighs. "You're a fucking disgrace. A whimpering slut who'd spread for any cock that paid."I clenched my jaw, nodding like I hated it, but the words sank into me, heavy and hot. "Yes, Your Highness. But now, I am yours..." I choked out, still clinging to the lie of reluctance, but then he slammed me face-first into the hardwood floor, his hands pinning my neck, and the air left me. He thrust in, no warning, no mercy, and the pain - fuck, the familiar, thrilling pain - was a jagged blade splitting me open. I screamed, the sound raw and real, my mask shattering
Finn's POVThe air in Mediland was thick with the stench of desperation and decay, a familiar reek that clung to the walls of the slave market like a second skin. I stepped through the rusted gates, my boots crunching over gravel and broken glass. The place was still a cesspool of misery, still a monument to the cruelty of the worst of the worst. But this time, I didn't feel the usual weight of despair pressing down on my chest. No, this time, I felt… light. My plan was going on smoothly.Lycidas, the fucking Lycan Prince, was here. In my territory. In my office. The thought almost made me smile. He'd spent years parading around the human world, basking in the adoration of his fans, untouchable. But now, he was mine. The fire in Los Angeles had been a stroke of luck - or perhaps fate. The paparazzi had scattered, and for the first time in years, Lycidas was vulnerable. Cole met me at the entrance, his face grim. "His Highness Lycidas
Lucas' POV"Alpha Lucas!" Dr. Jafar exclaimed, rushing to my bedside. "I saw the changes in your vitals on the screen and came as soon as I could. This is a miracle! You woke up!" I dismissed Jorah with a nod, and he left reluctantly, his eyes lingering on me as if afraid I'd vanish. "Dr. Jafar," I said, my voice low and urgent. "Did you perform the disguise surgery on Leah?"He hesitated, then nodded. "Yes. It was Finn's order, but it was my work. We had to change her appearance - everyone was hunting her...""What exactly did you do to her?" I asked.The doctor looked hesitant, but eventually he said, "We had to apply bionic skin, but her body rejected it at first. We had to keep injecting her with suppressants. And we… we reduced her height with bone surgery. It was painful, but necessary. Alpha Lucas, I felt so guilty about what I had done. That was why I was trying to remind you of her presence. I tried so hard to p
Finn's POVThe air thickened. Lucas' name hung between us like a corpse on a noose.I let my shoulders shudder first - a convincing tremor. Covered my face as if stifling sobs. Gean moved to embrace me, his idiot heart thundering through his charred coat.He said, "You already have Mediland. You have hurt those who once persecuted you. It's time to reconcile with your past self. If you don't stop now, you will eventually die from your own hatred."I looked up at this moment, and Gean was horrified to find that I wasn't crying, but laughing."You..."Chrome claws slid through his ribcage like butter. He gasped, warm blood pattering the floor in Rorschach blooms."Shhh," I breathed into his ear as he sagged. "Jafar’s scrubbing Leo's memories as we speak. He will help me to rebuild the lab. Your body will be used Leo's next experiment. He may cry when he sees your body, but he will not remember why he cried, just like... you've nev