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-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-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-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-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 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 ONE**It's so cold.The ground is moist and stinky; the boy sitting on the ground of the small old storage room has whip scars all over his body, and the rags he wore are torn in several areas from the brutality of the flogging he has just received. His weak body crumbles from both hunger and pain, even more haunting is the knowledge that they will soon be back.They will make him suffer more, and his frail body may not be able to take it this time. As though jinxing himself to another round of punishment, the wooden door suddenly flies open and Rene cowers backward, his frantic eyes are wide with plea when several towering figures looms above him like a frightening shadow. "Has our little thief learned his lesson yet?" Hugo, the head of the kitchen servant sneers, crouching down to meet Rene's panicked gaze with a malicious smile. Rene does not respond; his lips tighten of their own accord; even if he begs, they will still hurt him anyway, perhaps even more. He won't g
CHAPTER TWO**The parade of the criminal around the Akleri Clan has been going on for three days; many think that this is a ruse to lure his men out of hiding. "Savage!""Kill him!"Rene and Soral push their way through the chants and jubilation of the excited crowd; the whole street is packed with people who have gathered yet again to watch the disgraceful display of the captured barbarian. The servants have been given a holiday for the first time because of this special celebration, and Soral had managed to persuade a partially healed Rene to view the scenery with him; an opportunity to leave the castle does not come by so easily for slaves like them. "Brute!""Burn him!""He killed our sons and husbands!""Hang him!"Rene watches his brothers, Eren and Aston, lead the other warriors of the Akleri tribe towards the castle. Everyone else watches them in awe and pride, and Rene feels an unwilling pang of jealousy and sadness twist in his chest. No one will ever be proud of him t
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