EMPEROR RICHARD'S POV "You don't mean that, do you?" Olivia whispered. "I do. The last time you hurt her, I spent rare Immortal herbs to save my wife's life. And even till now, she has not fully recovered. If those herbs were sold, the proceeds would be enough to build two castles, but I was forced to spend it on health care. Each time you meet her, you cause her pain and sadness. This is her home, no one is allowed to hurt her, not even you. She's my wife, she's a special woman, even if she hides her gifts. When a woman is married, she becomes happier. I also want that for my wife. And anyone that tries to make me a widower while I just got married will never be forgiven. Now leave and be a good girl." I whispered, rubbing Olivia's hair gently. She hissed and shook off my hand, stomping away from the palace. I rushed to Erica and knelt beside her. "Baby girl!" I whispered in fear, noticing the tears staining her unconscious face. I quickly carried her up and began to run up the s
RONA'S POV I heard Richard's words when he came to visit me, however I kept feigning unconsciousness. I pretended to be asleep while listening to the voices of people around me. "There seem to be lots of attacks happening nowadays. The emperor is often at the war front. He always defeats them but more keep sprouting. Being powerful is not an easy task, people that are after what you have will risk their lives, braving the consequences just to get a shot at power. No wonder the emperor became so ruthless. Lots of his subordinates and subjects have tried to betray him in the past, stabbing him viciously in the back. If not for his unfathomable powers, he would have probably died a long time ago. So when he passes judgment cruelly, or acts viciously, I don't raise an eyebrow. He has been betrayed in the cruelest and most heartless ways possible in the past, making him unable to trust anyone. He will rather kill ten innocent people than let one traitor go unpunished." I heard a junior d
RONA'S POV It has been one week since Richard went to the war front, yet there was no news of his return or impending victory. I have tried reaching out to the gamma in charge of internal affairs of the empire and castle, Liam Davis, to no avail. Am I worried about him? Nah! Impossible! It can't be! But I need to act like a caring and devoted wife now, shouldn't I? I walked downstairs and three guards immediately followed me, to my surprise. "What's wrong?" I asked, turning to them. "The emperor ordered that we escort and protect you wherever you go," one of them quickly explained. I frowned and nodded. He was probably worried that his niece would try to attack me again. I sighed and turned towards the entrance. "I heard you were asking about the palace that belongs to gamma Liam Davis." The first guard said again. "That's right, I went to the administrative quarters but I didn't find him" I quickly answered. "There's a palanquin waiting outside. Your retinue will carry you t
RONA'S POV Liam always had a reputation of being cold. Richard and his three closest aides were always known for their coldness, arrogance, dominance and strength. However, his temperament was the coldest of them all. He's an introverted warrior and I have never seen him smile, no one has. "It's Lord Liam Davis to you, not Liam!" He said coldly, looking up at me. "And why do I need to address you by that title?" I asked with a calm smile, going to sit before the zither. I began to play it while waiting for his answer. "I'm Lord Liam Davis of the northern fortress, alpha king of blue moon territories and the commander of the emperor's heaven's mandate armies. Address me properly and don't embarrass yourself." He said haughtily, in that characteristically cold way of his. I smiled again and stopped playing the zither, maintaining my smile. "I'm the emperor's woman. You serve my husband, so why do I need to be servile before you?" I asked coldly, watching him clench his fist and s
A scream tore off my lips before I could control my vocal cords properly. Cold sweat covered my body and I could feel my hand changing to claws, in addition to furs appearing on my flawless skin. I gritted my teeth and bit my tongue hard, trying to endure the pain. I screamed out as blood began to trickle out of my nose and ears. ‘Ara, what are you doing? Please don't do this, Liam has not gone far, what if he detects my aura? Even if you manage to take over my consciousness, you will also end up dead before you know it. Your aura will be prominent, your eye color and every other thing will show that I'm no longer the one in control. The moment I die, you also die. What in hell’s name are you thinking, Ara?’I scolded mentally, groaning as more veins split open in my body. However, Ara pretended not to hear me, intensifying her efforts to eat away at my consciousness. I screamed out in pain and vomited blood, my eyes bulging painfully. Tears and blood streamed down my eyes as I envis
RONA'S POVI only kept grunting in pain, covered in sweat and blood. ‘Ara, why are you doing this?’ I asked for the umpteenth time, unable to wrap my head around the reason my wolf wants to kill me. I suddenly felt the cold energy from last night push to the front of my mind, giving me hope. But before I could get relief from the mind numbing pain, I felt Ara's hot flames push the cold energy back, intensifying her efforts to burn me up. “This won't do, I just felt Lord Liam's aura. Hurry and get the pendant you took from me. It's an ice attribute treasure, it can chain Ara down for a while. Stand, stand now.” I heard a voice in my head telling me in a desperate voice. For a fleeting moment I felt confused, wondering if I was going crazy from the pain. Why am I hearing that strange voice in my head again? And why does that soft, feminine voice seem familiar?“Aish! Rona, this is not the time for this. I said move, now! Even if you want to die, I don't. Get the ice jade pendant!” Th
LORD LIAM'S POVI looked back at the servant who was looking at me like one who saw a monster with seven heads. It was Annalise, Erica's personal maid who was said to have followed her since childhood. I ignored her and turned back to Erica, trying to retrieve the pendant. I made a quick swat to the right, catching Annalise’s punch. The slave actually dared to attack me! “Are you tired of living? How dare you throw a punch at me?” I asked and flung her to the wall, watching emotionlessly as she fought to stand up, with blood seeping out of her mouth due to the internal injuries she suffered when I bounced back her attack. “You, if you're not here to help my mistress, get the fuck out instead of complicating issues. That pendant is a heirloom from her mother, her most priced possession and she's always clutching it when she's afraid or needs strength. Why are you trying to take it away from her?” She shouted fearlessly, making me furrow my brows in confusion. When did slaves get so
LORD LIAM'S POVI watched Annalise go silent, stupefied that I gave her a taste of her own medicine. Now, that was the way to go. I turned towards Erica whom the doctors were diligently trying to revive, my eyes narrowed and full of suspicion. “Stop right there. That pendant is from her mother. She doesn't allow anyone to touch it. Taking it away is equivalent to killing her. If you want to hurt my mistress, we will die together. I have not forgiven you yet for whatever you said that made her this way. And here you are, trying to commit an even bigger sin.” Annalise's cold voice had me stopping in my tracks. I smirked and turned to her. “And when did it become the turn of a slave to forgive me? You have quite the guts. The wolf emperor must have over pampered you and your mistress letting you grow some guts. Look here, little slave, even if you're a beta, you're nothing in this castle. All the officials here are alphas and alpha kings. Little betas like you are only qualified to b
LORD LIAM’S POVI quickly accepted the reins from a servant who had thoughtfully brought out a horse when he saw me rushing out after the alarm went off. This was one thing about the servants around me. They were trained to be very sensible and helpful. I didn't need to tell them before they did the right thing, almost as if they could read my thoughts. I quickly got on the horse while my assistant followed me on another horse. In three minutes, we arrived at division B military hospital and I rushed in. A soldier pointed to a passageway the moment he saw me, knowing the reason I came. I rushed into the passageway, and at the third door, I saw soldiers dressed in guards uniform huddled together. I immediately entered it, knowing it was definitely the right room. On the bed was a familiar young man, Alex, one of the younger rising stars in the military, just twenty years old. But he was truly powerful and efficient, making him to be promoted in quick succession. The victim was even
RONA'S POVI finally summoned the courage to practice the technique since the emperor would be gone for a few days, alongside most of his very powerful men. So it wouldn't be that easy for someone to sense my aura. I was in a secret garden, not one of the emperor's forbidden sites, but one of his secret gardens leading to a dungeon used to keep truly terrifying criminals. No one has been here in ages, so it was the perfect hiding spot. For at least five years now, that particular dungeon has been empty because no one dared to commit such kinds of heinous crimes that could deserve being locked in the underground prison yard. I was especially crafty, going out the first day Richard left, while pretending I was going for a stroll, using the opportunity to discover many short cuts back to the emperor's palace which I could use in the case of an emergency. I even found two side doors used by the servants to enter the emperor's palace. This was the best time to practice, since Richard was
I nodded, pretending to pay rapt attention. “Leo Smith is the second Gamma in charge of external affairs, right? Is he back from his task?”Annalise smiled and nodded. “Of course, he's truly handsome. All the emperor's sworn brothers look so good. There must be something in the water that makes them so ageless and handsome.”I rolled my eyes as I watched the infatuated grin on her face, her eyes dreamy with sinful imaginations. “If you utilize all the time you use to fantasize about handsome men to train, you would have been the strongest beta wolf in this castle.”“That's easy for you to say. You have one of the most handsome and devoted men in the world wrapped around your fingers. That's why you think it's no big deal. Let me tell you, getting married to someone like the gammas is the ultimate package. Alpha bloodline, so handsome, wealthy, working for the most powerful king in the world as his sworn brother, and being revered by millions. Who wouldn't want to marry them?”“It
RONA'S POVThe moment I entered my room, I quickly locked the door and collapsed on my bed, shivering with sweat all over my body. Why was this happening more and more often? My wolf even flared up before everyone around. Letting my aura seep out would get me killed instantly. No, this won't do. I need to kill Richard immediately before my cover is blown. That's right, quickly taking revenge and escaping from this hellhole before they realize it is the only way I can stay safe. The pain suddenly multiplied without warning, making me scream out. “Stop thinking about murder. The more you think about killing him, the more your wolf's murderous intent amplifies, making it easier to kill you. You have to smile, make efforts to be content and happy if you wish to survive. At all times, you must think about him with love to avoid the wolf getting the upper hand by taking advantage of the bitterness in your heart.” The strange voice came again, the same time I felt the ice jade pendant giv
OLIVIA'S POVI walk into my room, livid with anger. I can't believe Richard rejected my requests before everyone, exalting that mutt at the risk of my happiness. “Your highness,”“Leave, all of you.” I shouted, interrupting her. “Susanna, wait here.”She waited, turning to me in fear. “Stop shaking, I'm not gonna eat you. The ones I pointed at, bring them in. I hope they have been properly trained.”“Yes, your highness.” She whispered, quickly moving out to do my bidding. In a few minutes, she returns with two handsome and well built guards, and locks the door behind her. I relaxed on my couch and motioned to them. “Come here, and pay your respects to your princess.” They knelt, and the older of the two reached for my foot, delivering a kiss full of worship to them. He slowly moved up my legs, dropping kisses. He looked at me with a sexually charged gaze which sent heat down to my core and I felt myself clench. “That's it.” I whispered, closing my eyes as he removed my shoes an
RONA'S POVOlivia got angry, but quickly masked it with a pitiful expression. “Uncle, please. Just give it to me.”“I already said no. Don't make me lose my appetite.” Richard replied, not hiding his anger. Olivia hits her hands against the table, making me jump. I was not the only one startled, many others were. “Uncle!” Olivia whined, dragging her word out like a spoiled brat throwing a tantrum. “But you already commissioned the moon stone to be fashioned into jewelry. It's just giving it to me earlier. After all, who else in this world deserves something so precious except me?” She whispered and batted her lashes at him. Richard gasped in exasperation on hearing her words, his face glowering. “I must have spoiled you too much to make you so narcissistic. How dare you make stupid demands of me? If I say no, it means no. Pouting and throwing a tantrum won't help your case on this issue. Give up already. You truly deserve everything good in the world, but not this.”“Uncle, stop
OLIVIA'S POVAnger, pure hot anger. How dare she tell me that the slut is Richard's wife, and therefore deserves everything? “Listen here, nothing in this empire belongs to her. She's a weak runt, forever destined to be my slave. If you dare step out of line or buzz unpleasantly in my ear, your fate would be worse. Go throw her away, and wipe that blood off the floor.” I barked, my eyes red with fury. “Please calm down, your highness.” Susanna whispered, crawling to me. I stomp hard on her hand, watching her bite her lips to hold back the pain. “Cry out!” I growl, listening to her scream. Music, sweet music, the sweetest one. That beautiful cry of pain as I squash these miserable ants beneath me was the best sound ever. “Remember this, breathing the same air I do is a privilege. So you must worship me wholeheartedly, with all you have, you must be thankful I let you live beneath me.” I muttered, not hiding the hate in my eyes. “Your highness, the palanquin is ready to carry you
EMPEROR RICHARD'S POVI sighed heavily. “The items are truly rare and extraordinary. But my wife is the subject in question. Nothing is too expensive for her. I already have some of them somewhere. As for the rest, I can procure them given some time. However, the herbs are too potent. Too much drugs accumulating in her body might cause her harm instead of healing her. We won't use all these things you listed. They're too much for an able bodied alpha king, talk more of a little girl with a fragile body. Select the most important ones. Also, if at any point I realize you inflated the amount of required herbs for some selfish reason, or added something that is not necessary, you will have to submit your life to me. I hate being lied to or tricked.” I reply with a cold smile, watching the mischievous smile on his face disappear. That's right, he should be afraid of me, I have been cutting him a lot of slacks lately, making him more audacious. “Before you tell me about the final list o
RONA'S POV“Princess, what are you talking about? Don't give up hope. We will definitely find a way to remove the seal on your wolf so that you can fully shift without pain. You just need to be patient till we find a solution. You have worked too hard to give up now. The one that sealed your wolf will get exactly what they want if you fail now.” The imperial physician shouted. “That's right, princess don't act rashly.” Annalise chipped in. As for Richard, he was too stunned to speak. “Erica.” I heard him whisper and look up at him with my tear filled eyes. And in that moment, I could swear I saw pain in his eyes, deep seated pain. “I can't hold on anymore. Help me destroy my wolf. I swear I will not pull you down. There are humans that are more powerful than wolves from cultivating internal energy. I can start cultivating internal energy and the way of the sword. If you think that totally becoming a human will cause a problem for the empire, you're welcome to kill me anytime I bec