CHAPTER THIRTEEN **"Report," Lyrien's deep voice is low and impatient, Luca straightens to his feet. "The celebration is still ongoing, but everything is going exactly as we planned..." Luca produces the key to unclasp the thick chains around Lyrien's wrists and ankles, which have kept him chained to the walls.Lyrien's hard gaze settles briefly on the chains on the ground. He had put the shackles on for too long even though he could have easily freed himself. Hiding his strength had been necessary, the weaker they think he is, the better it will be. How easy it has been for the Akleri to fall under his scheme."Most of the Chiefs of the neighbouring clan are here today, attending the wedding,"A vicious smirk twitches on Lyrien's lips, His enemies, all in one place. This is even better than he had anticipated. His blood tingles with a raw dark excitement that he had not felt in a long time. Lyrien extends his hand, and Luca hastily hands him the curved cruel-looking sword. Lyr
CHAPTER FOURTEEN **"Barbarians!"The goblet of wine splutters from Javier's hand, rolling to the ground, the animal fur below absorbing the soiling liquid.He becomes clear-headed instantly, grabbing his sword. "How...?!" He snarls at the wounded guard who has delivered this news to his chambers. "The private p_passage was opened, we have an insider!" The guard gasps, and Kyra, who just stepped into the room shivers, fear making her blood grow still.The secret passage, she had opened it with good intentions to let Rene escape, after she sabotaged his plans, she'd simply forgotten to lock it back. And now..."My Lord, they are killing everyone, there's no way we can win!" The guard yells at Javier who is already storming out of the room only to bump into Luca. "I told you nothing should go wrong__" Javier halts, suddenly seeing a distant glint in Luca's eyes; he's never seen such a cold, fierce look before. "Leave now or you're going to die, I'm saying this as your friend," "Y
CHAPTER FIFTEEN **A pin-drop silence follows. All the warriors stop cheering. The air cackles with danger emitting from the dominant Alpha."I never wanted to mix my blood with a Savage's; I couldn't fuck a filthy thing; I killed her, so what? Was she related to you?" Aston's smug smirk vanishes when Lyrien suddenly stabs the sharp edge of the knife straight into his eye, earning a soul-shattering scream from Aston. Lyrien's lips sneered as though disgusted by this weakling Alpha who is starting to spew out curses at him Still holding the knife masterfully, Lyrien makes a brutal twisting movement to completely pluck it from its socket.The organ twirls to the ground with a slight splat sound. Aston's cries vibrate the ruined hall, his blood pouring continuously from the now empty socket. Lyrien does the same to his other eye, and a powerful kick sends Aston flying against the nearest wall; his groans of pain as he clutches the spot his eyes used to be is met with laughter from t
CHAPTER SIXTEEN **"Everywhere is quiet, is it over?" Soral whispers, They had managed to escape from the castle, but the barbarians were lurking everywhere in these woods; Rene and Soral had seen hundreds of bodies of people trying to escape. Their lives brutally ended in a gruesome manner by the savages. The tiny space below the ground barely contains Rene and Soral, their muscles are painfully sore from being cramped up for long hours. Rene's eyelids are heavy with exhaustion; neither of them has closed their eyes a wink since last night. Rene is slightly confident as the hours go by that, they will not be found; this small hole used to be a storage for wine that has not been used in a long time. The earthy lid above them will completely shield them from anyone above. Soral sniffs in deeply, something is different about Rene's scent. It is stronger now. A blend of pheromones, pleasant ...Yet powerful, almost similar to an Alpha's scent oozes faintly from him. Soral's gaze
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN **"You're also Jaron's bastard?" Lyrien spits out the words, filled with utter disgust, A twirp of disappointment that he refuses to acknowledge and finally, anger, knowing that his special bond, which should be shared with his unique chosen mate, has been given to this enemy. His eyes fixate on Rene's skinny form, his protruding collar bone that is exposed by his torn, saggy shirt; Lyrien blinks away unfeelingly; the welfare of the 'favourite' son of Jaron shouldn't be his concern. ' How did this barbarian know they'd been beneath? ' The electrifying grey eyes pierce into the very depths of Rene's soul. Now that this barbarian is neither in a cage nor in chains, the broad daylight makes him appear so much bigger... More frightening, like his most terrifying nightmare coming to life. "P_please," Rene stutters, his eyes watering with tears from the harsh grip of the barbarian on his hair which continues to sprinkle fires of pain throughout his skull."I'm just
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN **Rene is anxiously confused when the thin material of his breeches fails to absorb more blood, and it ends up trickling to the ground. Strangely enough, he does not remember getting injured. His body feels dizzy, and his vision becomes blurry; just as his knees start to give way, he feels himself being swooped into strong arms; he is conscious of being lifted, but too tired to open his eyes. The familiar smell of pheromones suffocates his senses; he wants to sink his body closer to this warmth; Rene's eyes slowly flutter open, and he blinks rapidly, meeting the intense pair of gazes staring down at him. Dismay slurps up to his throat when he realizes that he is in the brute's arms, and he starts to struggle weakly. "Be still!" The sharp command earns a low whine from Rene, his body weakens with submission.Lyrien had watched Rene sway, his hand close around his waist to lift him up easily; the boy is underweight and frail, even fit an omega, but looking at hi
CHAPTER NINETEEN * * Rene remains glued to the spacious bed inside the tent; the polluting noise outside has died down, and everywhere is now quiet.Most of the nobles were killed; only some were spared to become slaves. Eren may even be dead too, Rene thinks. All the royal bloodlines were used as sacrifice, the barbarians burning them as offerings; their torture methods were grotesque, and stomach-churning. Even though Rene shares no love lust with his brothers, seeing Aston die so cruelly had shaken up something within him, the crawling web of petrification so deeply woven in his chest. This pregnancy has saved him from being skinned alive or burnt like the rest of them. Rene certainly did not expect the heartless barbarian to care about a child who may turn out to be a useless omega like himself. Rene jerks up, startled when the tent flaps open, and several people enter, crowding the room. Their clothing attire instantly tells him that they are servants from the Dahome tr
CHAPTER TWENTY**An invitation?Lyrien is unable to hide the surprise that gleams in his gaze. This Omega is more daring than he'd anticipated, to offer himself for sex like this and seducing him so provocatively!Lyrien expected him to show some sign of defiance, not this total submission, as though he'd just accepted his fate without any attempt to fight. 'He's so thin, how can he even carry a child?' Lyrien thinks to himself; he can easily crush Rene's fragile frame without lifting a finger.Rene is fidgeting like an endangered prey from this barbarian's prolonged intense stare. Did he say something wrong?He'd merely wanted to know if the brute had any task for him so that he could be free to retire for the night and, if possible, look for his friend. As he nervously toys with the hem of his shirt, little does he know of the spark of desire that burns fiercely in Lyrien's gaze.Lyrien cannot help his thoughts, that his new timid slave will probably not put up a fight if he
CHAPTER FORTY**TWO AND HALF MONTHS LATERThe scent of cracking wood burning and roasted meat sizzles in the air. The night is loud with laughter and roars of warriors as they drink deeply from their thick animal hide containing ale and wine.The task of rebuilding the ruins of the land that once belonged to the Akleri has been completed. "Smaller clans are being wiped out, and more omegas are reported to be missing; the killings paused when you went to investigate, and now that you are back, the cult seems to have found their courage again. . . " Lyrien pauses when he notices that his cousin doesn't seem to be paying attention. "You seem to find something over there more interesting, cousin,” Lyrien comments, noticing Haesir's deep scowl, an amused smirk plays along his lips as he follows Haesir's gaze. It doesn't take long for Lyrien to find what Haesir is focusing on so intently and what has him so tense. Lyrien's eyes crinkle with a smile when he locates his own mate too, th
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE**Rene convulses from Lyrien's threats. . . Promise, his ear barely registering the sound of belt unbuckling until he feels Lyrien's heavy meat nestling against his entrance, an inch of it slipping inside. He knows better than to fight Lyrien when he wants something—not that he will care anyway—but in this case, something is different.Rene doesn’t feel the usual pain when Lyrien's cock slowly pushes into him against his will. He does enter without asking, yes, but he is almost being . . . gentle. The sharp burn of Lyrien's usually rough treatment is absent today and instead of pain, Rene feels a different sensation, a full sensation that tingles his sensitive spot with pleasure when Lyrien buries his entire length. "When I take you, you will look at me,” Lyrien commands huskily. He exhales roughly when Rene's hazel eyes lift to his obediently before slanting then downward to look at their joining. Lyrien cups Rene's throat, his thumb brushing over Rene's fu
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT**"What exactly do you want from me?" Rene chokes out in despair, confusion in his glassy gaze as he stares warily at Lyrien's massive form which is giving off a sudden different aura that he cannot distinguish. Lyrien's piercing gaze consumes all of Rene, and at this moment, he feels no hate towards his omega, just a burning need that threatens to shatter him from within. Without warning, he hauls Rene into his strong arms and crushes him possessively to his chest. Rene gasps when Lyrien grabs a fistful of his golden strands and angles his head.Lyrien's gaze slants to Rene's lips which have swelled from clenching onto it too tightly, a low sound of need hisses from Lyrien just before he gave Rene a hungry kiss. A kiss that knocks both their breath away. Rene stiffens, his eyes wide in surprise. This isn't the first time that Lyrien has kissed him, yet it feels so. . . different. Lyrien pulls back and stares into Rene's eyes intently, and Rene feels his he
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN **Loud male voices wake Rene from the dreamless slumber; it had been difficult for him to fall asleep last night, too overwhelmed with the sadness that he hadn't been able to see Soral one last time and say goodbye. The noises outside grow louder, and Rene gets up from the bed; there seems to be a heated argument going on. The cool morning fresh air hits his face as he walks out of the tent, curiously locating the source of the quarrel.His flustered gaze catches onto where Lyrien stands, an intimidating chill surrounding him; Kai and his mate are also present. Rene's eyes slowly shift to the other warrior, Horden, to see him dragging out a battered, lifeless body by the leg like a trophy. "The prisoner was trying to escape, he resisted when I tried to bring him back. I may have used a bit of force, but I didn't mean to kill him..."Rene's eyes are frozen with terror, a tormented sound that he cannot hold back wrenches from his lips, causing the heads of al
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX**Rene staggers backwards when Lyrien suddenly dumps him to his feet inside the tent. "What were you thinking?!" Lyrien thunders, the hot coal burning in his gaze makes Rene feel as though his flesh will melt out from their bones. His throat feels tight, unable to form a response as even his brain seems to have halted its function. "He could have severely hurt you, you endangered my child, you stupid thing, you shouldn't have fucking interfered!" Lyrien grounds out mercilessly as his hooded gaze focuses on the red imprints of Horden's finger around Rene's neck. Rene's face crumbles, his whole body fidgeting,"He's my friend, I only wanted to save him. . . I didn't think__""Of course, you didn't think! He's just a slave; even if Horden wants his life, he's welcome to have it!" Lyrien seethes, "And you are fucking pregnant, I warned you to be careful not to miscarry!"As Rene gazes at the furious brute, something within him explodes, sending white-hot anger thro
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE**"Our scouts have noticed odd movements at these spots," Haesir says, pointing at the areas on the map with his fingers. "Two small clans have been wiped out in the space of one week, and these clans have alliances with us, it goes without doubt that the attacker aims to lure our attention," Lyrien sits silently, his expression impassive as he processes Haesir's words. Inside the meeting tent, the walls are overflowed with various maps and rolled scrolls of war information. A strange group that suddenly appeared from nowhere? No one has also seen the mysterious cult leader's face. Lyrien leans back in his chair, gripping the corners of the table, his eyes narrowing to slits at the map in front of him. Lyrien considers the unknown leader as foolish rather than brave, attacking smaller clans like a coward and dumping the dead bodies at the borders of his lands!“Spread the word to all the patrols,” Lyrien says finally as he pushes himself away from the table.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR **In the early hours of the morning, Soral crouches low inside the stable; it is one of the duties he has to perform every day. His mistress only ever takes her bath with fresh cow milk. The sun is just starting to rise, the warm rays deflecting through the holes in the wooden shed and as he performs his task, his mind is preoccupied with various thoughts so much that he fails to notice the brooding giant who had followed him inside the shed until it is too late.Soral sniffs, unwillingly smelling the strange Pheromones which causes him to spin around and suck in a sharp breath, a startled gasp leaves his mouth when he sees the savage leering down at him. His heart starts to hammer painfully, unable to tear his gaze from those of the dark beady ones of the barbarian.Horden. Every slave knows how foul-tempered Horden is, how he greatly torments slaves and ends their lives for his amusement.Soral had noticed the ominous glances that this barbarian had always
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR **That's how Lyrien found him when he returned to the tent. The candles are out, his mate snoring softly on the ground, and his arms are carefully placed around his abdomen as though instinctively trying to protect the life there.Lyrien's steps pause, his jaw flexing, and as though sensing his brooding presence, Rene cowers in his sleep, shrinking himself into a tinier ball; the action tightens a fist around Lyrien's chest.He hates not being able to control these rush of emotions. Having Rene's body for his sexual gratification should have been enough, yet he wants more. . .His piercing gaze takes in Rene's shivering form, 'He is sleeping so freely as though he is not afraid of catching a cold!' Lyrien seethes, but his dark expression smoothens as he leans to scoop his mate from the cold floor effortlessly. Rene feels so soft in his arms, and Lyrien feels as though he will shatter if he holds him too hard. He gently places Rene on the mattress, and for t
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO**Lyrien releases the Beta, whose body flaps like a fish drawn out of water; the male drops to the floor, barely alive, his neck bent at an awkward angle."Get him out!" Lyrien barks the order, and Rene is further shocked when two burly warriors enter the tent as though they have been outside and waiting for this command.Rene wants to disappear too, his senses still reeking with horror over what just happened, he staggers to his feet, and barely takes a step away from the Alpha whose rage is boiling over the whole tent like a furnace. Lyrien's prey doesn't get far out of the tent when he pounces at Rene, grabbing his waist possessively. "Where are you going, MATE?" He growls out the words, his eyes blazing ferociously.Rene's body freezes, and Lyrien's tightens around him like the cold hands of death."Please. . . Don't hurt m_me!" He jerks, startled when Lyrien suddenly spins him around to face him. His eyes snaps close in reflex, fully expecting Lyrien to st