Chapter 32: The Offer Finally I went inside, and didn't prolong the servants’ agony from attending to him. Apollo quickly sat back on bed as it dipped down because of his weight, leaning backwards on the headboard, acting as if he didn’t do anything bad. I saw him motioning his hands to his servants, shooing them away. The servants did what they were told and left the room. He faked a cough as I sat beside him, sitting on the stool provided for the visitor. “I thought I have the right to command you if it’s about your health and I remember you agreed on me. What happened now? Why is it that the alpha of Northcrest is stubborn. I thought you were a man of word?” I joked, teasing him. He was silent for a moment. I don’t know what’s inside his mind but he’s just staring right to me. He sighed, retreating. “You’re late… again,” he pouted. But he took it away. “Why are you late?” Oh my God. What did I just see? I chuckled at his cuteness as I placed my hand on his neck and forehead t
Chapter 33: The AttemptThird Person POVNot long after Apollo had shared his story to Elias, his eyes automatically sunk when he felt the sudden wrath of the rain outside. On the long settee, his head rested on his left arm, while Elias snucked himself.It was pouring on the heavy loads as Apollo let himself carried away with the effect of the rain.Elias felt the opposite. He has been watching Apollo since he talked about what happened before and he was immensely invested in him that his eyes couldn’t leave Apollo’s angelic face. He was like a child while sleeping soundly but a roaring dragon when awake.“I wonder how you cope with what you’ve experienced. It must be so hard,” Elias murmured while brushing his fingertips on Apollo’s face.The clouds were still pouring water with frequent roaring of thunder and lightning.“It would be nice if I had met you earlier, wouldn’t it?”Elias recalled how Apollo saved him from the brink of death as he finally decided to take his own life. It
Chapter 34: The Selfish Heart Their sibling moment was cut off when they heard pack warriors coming their way. “Make sure you found the outsider.” It was Rico. He ordered his team to catch the outsider who tried to sneak inside. They didn’t know that it was Isabelle and Andrius. Andrius led Isabelle outside without getting caught. They acted as if they were walking straight to the pavilion. Rico found them and bowed down. “What happened here? Why are the pack warriors roaming around?” Andrius asked suspiciously. “There was an outsider who sneaked inside the alpha’s chamber. We didn’t able to catch him as he knew the pathways inside,” Rico replied. “What about you, beta? Why were you walking in the middle of the rain?” Rico caught Isabelle from Andrius’ back and bowed down. “Good evening, Lady Isabelle.” Isabelle hid herself, scared for nothing. Rico furrowed his brows as he didn’t understood why Isabelle acted that way. “We came from the greenhouse for a walk but we got stuck
Chapter 35: The Escape Apollo left the room and headed downstairs. Soon after, Elias decided to leave the room and did the same. He ran to Rico who was holding a medicine kit in his hands and is heading somewhere faster. “Oh, hey, Elias. What’s up?” Rico greeted revealing a warm smile for him. He seems to be in a hurry but managed to stop for a moment. “I have never seen you at the quarter these past few days. Were you with the alpha?” Rico’s suspicious look on him is insatiable. Elias felt his cheeks reddened at mentioning Apollo’s name. He could feel his face heated at how Rico teased him with the alpha. “Silly. No, I was just keeping him company,” said Elias, who was embarrassed as to how he looked. “Then why are you covering your cheeks?” Rico teased him more, bringing himself closer to him. “You did not do what I was thinking right this moment, right?” “I’m not.” Elias tried tilting his head away from Rico’s gaze, but he failed. Rico had seen him in that state. Elias just
Chapter 36: Naming the Traitor An hour before Samael escaped… Apollo was busy being measured by a tailor in the visitor’s lounge. He did not know that the tailor would be this late. No one has reported to him about it. Regardless of that, he still attended to the situation and never complained. “Are you excited for the Halloween, alpha?” the tailor asked out of nowhere. Apollo does not want to talk about any events coming by because he does not like the atmosphere it brought. But, the tailor would not stop asking if he refuses to answer. “It’s just an ordinary day. Not really excited,” he responded nonchalantly as he lifted his arms sideward. The tailor measured his arms. “A lot of women will be there wanting to meet you. You should be happy about it. Even though you’re married, every single woman would kneel down in front of you,” the tailor commented and praised him after writing the measurement of his arms. “Can’t you just finish your job early instead of talking to me?” Ap
Chapter 37: The Victim ELIAS KNOCKED on Apollo’s door many times, but no one answered. He believed it would be impossible if Apollo was not there because he saw him walking in this direction. He sneaked inside the room. "Alpha, are you inside?" he asked, terrified of defying Apollo. Elias twisted the doorknob and it swung open. As if the moon did not even reflect in the sky, a dark room opened up to him. The wind is blowing hard, causing the curtains to dance in time with it. Elias looks around, searching for something to hold on to. Inside, he still couldn't hear Apollo. He suspected he was in the bathroom. Until Elias’ head collided with a hard object. That thing is strange because it smells nice and aromatic. He even touched something down there, causing it to stand up. Elias was too late to realize what that was. He immediately pulled his hand like it was stricken by lightning. "Please accept my apologies. I didn't mean to touch it," he apologized to Apollo, who took a deep
Chapter 38: The Premonition A few days later the mansion was still busy all because of the last thing that had happened. The fugitive Samael is not caught yet so the pack warriors have to double their paces and actions before Samael would cause havoc again. Also, Apollo has not been home for several nights because of the amount of work he does outside. He strengthen the boundaries and acquire new weapons from their suppliers. When Apollo ordered Elias to stay at the mansion, he did not complain because he did not want to add to the alpha’s burden either. Apollo was hands-on with everything and he couldn’t focus if Elias will stay beside him roaming around the city to find Samael. One day, Aunt Isadora bade goodbye to Elias who plans on heading downtown because she’s going to visit someone she knew. Shahida followed who seemed to be coming as well. "Do you want to come with us?" Shahida asked as she fixed her hair. She made it into a high ponytail. “Come with us, Elias. You have n
Chapter 39: The Hallow Night Elias could not sleep that night. No matter how hard he tried, something seems to be waking up in his system. He got out of bed for a moment and decided to take a fresh air from the window. After meeting Rowan, he lied to Apollo where he came from. He doesn’t want to meddle with the two because he is not entitled to anything. He kept it to himself and left Rowan there. When he rolled up the shutter window, he was greeted by the shining moon above, full and round. It flashes as if illuminating the whole Northcrest. He saw the small houses in the distance lighting up like tiny stars. His smile faded as he watched them. Until now, Elias couldn’t believe that he was indeed in Northcrest. He has lived a life that’s far from beyond he’s expecting. He thought then that the luxury of dreaming of having a life outside the syndicate is foolish. That he’s not worthy of that life. However, living for almost months away from the life he had, he could finally say th
Chapter 56: The New LeavesElias opens his eyes in a familiar place. The familiar bed he’s laying, the dark room he’s in, and the familiar figure from the window.One thing sinks in his mind is the alpha’s room.Seeing him from a distant, Elias could nto help but runs toward the alpha’s direction. he hugs him from his waist which makes the alpha stills.“Apollo,” he cries.“Glad what you are touching?”Elias slaps his abs lightly as Apollo chuckles at his shyness. Apollo turns his body towards Elias and faces him with all his heart.“You are late.”“Huh?” Elias looks confuse.“Why did you wake up so late? Everyone has been waiting for our wedding?”“Wedding?” He pulls himself from him.“Yeah. Our wedding. Shahida takes care of everything while Rowan keeps on nagging me because you sleep for an entire season.”“I sleep the entire season?”“Do you have anything to say other than questioning me back of what I have said?”“The last time I check, we are in a war and I died. I met Aunt Isad
Chapter 54: Should I Give Up? “Let Elias leave and you will have your precious daughter back.” Shahida threatens the Senior Council which makes him stands up. Even Andrius himself stops what he is doing with Rico and focuses on Isabelle instead. Apollo never expects that Shahida would make Isabelle a hostage. This is not part of the plan. She is supposed to be in the hideout as of this moment. “Shahida, what are you doing here?” Apollo blurts out. “You’re suppose to be away from here.” “Shahida!” Rowan exclaims. “Drop that weapon.” “I’m sorry, gentlemen, but I could not let you both stay here. This war starts because of me,” Shahida admits. “If I didn’t like Rowan before, we will not be here fighting one another.” Rowan feels guilty. “Shahida, you are so young back then. You have no idea what’s happening. The adults have wronged you, not yourself,” Sergio lectures her who is beside her trying to stop her. Shahida grips Isabelle’s neck tighter with her left arm as her right ho
Chapter 53: The War“Stop!”The warrior from the entrance of the Valencourt mansion cut them from entering the premises. Apollo and Rowan share glances as the warrior comes to inspect what they bring.“Do you have an invitation for the event? You cannot go inside without invitation,” asks the warrior.Because of their cloak and look, the warrior fails to recognize them. Shahida paints them make up for them to look like the Nightingale’s staff—a tavern which sells women and wines.Rowan answers, “We are from the Nightingale and the Senior Council… I mean the new Alpha orders us new goods for tonight. We are runnin late and we need to take them inside.”Apollo should stay silent because his voice is too arrogant and authorative. He will be recognize once he speaks one word.“You can check it if you’re doubting,” Rowan offers, motioning his hand to the closed wagon.“I’ll check the goods, then.”The warrior checks the wagon from the small window. He sneaks and finds women with their silk
Chapter 52: The Preparation The next morning, the training were divided into five and they were spearheaded by Sergio, Rowan, Apollo, Shahida, while other old people helped Elias in making sleeping bomb. Those people whom they saved last night helped in making weapons and since they were warriors who had sentenced in their lifetime. It wasn’t hard for Apollo in the training. They were also given the chance to surrender themselves to the Northcrest and they were automatically be free if they win their battle. If not, Apollo will let them do what they want to do with their lives. Thye just need to stay alive… whatever it takes. Sergio trained some for combat fight. He grouped them in pair and each pair had to fight. Meanwhile Rowan and Apollo took the other to use weapons and tools for fighting. Apollo has expertise in swords so he taught them the proper stance and the correct posture so that they will not hurt themselves. Shahida, on the other hand, taught women physical combat and
Chapter 51: The Plans “Alpha, our armed forces are not enough for the war you have been planning. We were only few in here. Our women couldn’t fight, especially old and children.” Sergio explained his concerns as Apollo planned to attack his mansion. He had already told Rowan about his plan. However, as Sergio mentioned it would be hard for them to visualize in the real time. Most people here are old and children which are unable to be with them. Their women have no experience when it comes to war and they have been deprive of the Northcrest to wear and bring tools for war. They are only reserved in the kitchen, in the house. There, Apollo realized what he have been missing all these years. The discrimination and culture he preserved for the Northcrest became a sad truth as they only make them investment inside the house. “Our weapon are nothing compared to theirs. You know that, beta Rowan. We will surely lose even we will try so hard. We’ll just go there and die,” the other one
Chapter 50: The Fake Winning Three days after… “The alpha of Northcrest has dead. The alpha of Northcrest has dead!” The news spread like wildfire inside Northcrest, that Apollo---the alpha---left the universe. People at the public market couldn’t believe it. As the news bearer continued announcing while throwing the newspaper into the air. People stopped from what they’re doing. They knelt down on the ground and stayed silent to give the alpha’s soul and commemoration. It was a long silence and the alpha’s apologists couldn’t believe what they hear, especially Heban, who once attended to Elias and Shahida. “The Senior Council must have done this. The alpha won’t die like this. That is impossible.” Heban is a seer. He could see future and feel if the person is dead or not. To his confusion, he can still feel the presence of the alpha. Meanwhile at Valencourt’s mansion, Isabelle ordered everyone to remove all the things Elias used. They fired people who were loyalists
Chapter 50: The Return Shahida was having fun with everyone inside the hideout as Alari and other kids were teaching her shadow play. It’s a game of poor to average people used to play when there’s no light. They make animal shadows through their hands and reflect it to the wall. She was having fun when she heard a commotion outside. “Alari, wait here, huh? I’ll just check outside. Don’t let your friends go out. Understood?” she told Alari who kept on nodding at her. “Yes, Aunt Shahida.” “Good boy.” Shy pinched his fat cheek and went outside. Shahida shut the door closed and roamed her eyes around. Her gaze was fixated to Rowan’s people who gathered around to someone who were lying on the ground. At first, she thought it’s one of the warriors, however when she recognized the ring on its finger, she immediately ran towards the person. “Brother…” she cried as she knelt down on the ground. Everyone bowed their heads, mourning for the death of Apollo and Elias. “What happened to him?
Chapter 49: Heart Stopper Apollo drove his car beyond his usual speed after learning the truth. After he left the hall earlier, he went straight to the sentinel where Lily and Lyla were. He asked the two while kneeling on the floor to speak for the truth. He cried in front of the two which the two didn’t expect. Fearing that they will be killed, the alpha assured them that he will spare them. “The beta told us to never talk,” Lily started. “It was the beta’s order to put poison powder on the food,” Lyla added softly. “Forgive us, alpha,” the two pleaded. Apollo’s veins on his neck popped up in anger. He stood from his feet and gathered all his men to the public market. All he thinks that moment is that getting Elias safe from the sentence. I’m sorry, Eli. I’ll be there. Wait for me. Apollo arrived at the market in chaos and inorder. People were screaming as masked men were slaughtering the Senior Council’s men. Elias was no longer seen on the platform. “Leave these people on m
Chapter 47: The Court Hearing “What do you mean Elias murdered Aunt Isadora?” Rowan’s voice echoed the four cornered room as Shahida told him what happened in the mansion. She made it into detail which made Rowan’s blood boil. He couldn’t believe that after all Venise’s had suffered, she will be on her deathbed again. “Why would Elias do that? She cannot do such a thing. I… I mean Venise.” His face screamed confusion. He couldn’t fathom why would Elias do such thing. After many days of investigating Elias from a distance, Rowan knew how good of a person he is. Even after he discovered at he is Venise. It does not make sense to him. “The evidences were pointed to him. Even I didn’t fo,b vresee he could do it,” Shy explained. “We know how much Venise loved Aunt Isadora. She won’t do it.” Shy shook her head. “I don’t know anymore.” “When’s the court hearing begin?” he asked. Instead of answering him, she asked back, “Where’s the sun right now?” “At east.” “They’re probably sta