/Axel's POV/There's a panic curling around in my chest; a lump lodged in my throat. I was close to the edge, but it was not the time for me to be melodramatic. Though I had no idea where and how to begin, I was so out of depth that I was this close to completely losing it. Digging my fingers into my sides, I looked up at the dark, hunched-over figure in front of me. "I-I d-don't...What are you saying, Jade?"She went still for a few seconds, but I saw the dark eyes sharpen and narrow. "You can see for yourself.""Huh?""I got a special crystal, my lord.""What do I have to do?""Stand in front of it and keep looking at the glass...""Okay."Leaning down, I held my breath as the witch produced a white crystal in front, steadying it. I exhaled, feeling the throbbing between my temples slowly but steadily move down my throat. "Keep your eyes focused, drown out all the noises..." Jade's voice got lowered, a haze surrounding us as she shut off all windows and doors, making the room dimm
The tremor in Ethan's voice threw me off, but he was so honest as he stared. I stilled, at the loss of words, until the Alpha commander grabbed at my wrist, not thinking about his bold actions. He made me sit on the old, shaky bench before nudging me. “I-I swear, Lana. They changed into this different colour…it’s not only your eyes, but you overpowered me back there...”“Okay…” I sank my teeth into the plush of my bottom lip, hands coming wrapped around my upper body. Why was he saying all these things?“You have no idea your eyes do that?” The genuine confusion in his voice caused my shoulders to sag. I looked at the ground instead, my bare toes digging in the sand. “You know this is not normal, right? I have never seen it happen with one of our kind ever.”Something heavy settled in the pit of my stomach, heart thudding as I lifted my head to stare at him. My voice raised unknowingly, “Uh…What do you mean? Am I not normal?”“N-No…No, that’s not what I am saying, but maybe we shoul
/Axel's POV/I palmed at my temples, sagging in the seat, when the doors of my study burst through. Straightening in my chair, I noticed Alpha David Walters, the royal advisor, and my mother's step brother walk in, a vein ticking in his forehead. He came to stand a few inches away from the table. "Axel, do you know your officers are being investigated right now?"I blinked at him. My beta was making rounds in finding the culprit responsible behind holding information. Ever since I returned from the trip, their words kept playing in my head. Those tribals walked barefoot to deliver their messages and seek help, only for my people to turn them down. "Good afternoon to you too. And yes, I believe so.""And you are condoning this?""Alpha David..." I cleared my throat, hands coming to clasp together on the table. "Yes. I am sure that my people are hiding things from me.""That's preposterous!" He spat, hands falling by his side. "Who is spreading such malicious rumours, Axel? Your peopl
It took us almost an hour to reach the castle gate, a lot of stops and go with my nerves all over. Eventually, I was able to settle into the horse's slow, easy gait, my hips rocking rhythmically with every step. Not only that, but Axels scent helped along the way, making me dig my nails into the flesh of my thighs.A forbidden territory. I reminded myself while looking ahead. So to distract my train of thoughts, I made easy conversation during the Alpha us along the outside of the castle wall towards the beach."Do you do this every month?"There was silence from his side, the sound of his heart the only thing echoing back. I held my breath, waiting for the Alpha to answer.He cleared his throat. "Mhm...It's a tradition my father started, and I want to keep it alive."Oh. Makes sense. They have a large number of population for this very reason. Looking after your people is one of the primary duties of the Pack Alpha. Maybe if my uncle kept that in mind, our people would be just as hap
/Abel’s POV/It's warmer, the sun strong on my back as I lead the horses along the narrow alley. From the corner of my eyes, I saw that Lana settled into William’s rhythm quicker than she had initially, leaning into him and swaying with ease.The pathway was full of lively sounds, of the quiet hum of life, followed by the splash of creek water around the horses' hoofs, the rustle of the bushes as the rabbits and tiny creatures scampered out of sight.It didn’t take us long to locate the pack members standing on either side, their faces gleaming. A chorus of whispers rang in my ears, their eyes taking Lana’s appearance. She didn’t even deter, raising her chin in the air. Of course. Princess Lana was not an ordinary omega; having been born into royalty, she must be used to this. “Good afternoon.” I greeted the over-enthusiastic crowd, waving at them while the omega followed my action. My eyes were trained on the back of her head, watching as she gripped tightly onto the saddle. “I am
Ethan was quiet the entire time we started walking towards the corner of the alley. It’s better that way. I thought under my breath, not ready to involve Axel yet. Lost in my train of thoughts, I tripped on the rocks in my way, almost losing my balance. “Lana!” Ethan hollered, his arm reaching out to steady me.It’s not my day today. I winced, eyes zoning in on my throbbing toe. It’s the second time I injured my feet in a few hours. Huffing under my breath, I leaned down. “Y-Yes, I walked too fast, I think,” The words slipped out, the sharp nails still digging into my thighs while trying to regain my balance.“Are you sure?” I wanted to shake him off, but I needed to concentrate all my energy on pushing upright again without toppling over. Ethan’s arm fell off my back when I got to my feet, but he cupped at my elbow almost straight away, steadying me. “I am good.” I exhaled, ignoring the spots dancing in front of my eyes. “So, did you meet with that guy? What did he say?”That’s w
My mind went blank as her words struck me, a lump forming in my throat. Axel was in a rut. One part of me—the omega one was flushed all over at the mere thought, while the other feared he would be asking for someone else. The Alpha made it clear several times, that our bond meant nothing to him. “S-So…what does he do for his rut?”Mostly Alphas, the unmated ones, find the omega houses or, in the case of royal ones, call for special services in their private rooms. It’s shameful how even mated Alphas do that, and they are not judged or held accountable for their actions. Amy was red in the face, taken back by my question, but she opened her mouth, “His Highness rides them alone ever since his first wife passed away….”Something ugly bubbled in the pit of my stomach, recalling Angel's voice about how he’s still hung up on her. What if it’s the truth? That’s why he may be holding back and not wanting to start anything. I bit the insides of my cheeks to hold back the tears from burning
When his hands slid beneath me, I arched my back, clinging to his broad shoulders. My entire body trembled at the anticipation of his touch, mouth parting. His fingers found the chain that held my dress together, and he ripped it apart. The fabric slipped down my shoulders, and he tugged it down completely, moving to undo the laces of my cotton corset until I was only left in my undergarments.A whine escaped my lips under the heat of his unwavering gaze, eyes trailing over the ridges and curves of my body. Pulling back, he hastily tugged at his shirt, dropping it unceremoniously over the side of the bed, revealing the expanse of his chest. My breath caught in my throat. It's not the first time I had seen him half-naked; I was still not prepared for him to be up close. I trailed over his front, halting at the waistband of his trousers, feeling equally intrigued and nervous. With my cheeks turning bright red, I peered at him as he closed the distance between us, breathing ragged. Ove