CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO**Lyrien recoils, his eyes filling with dreadful ice. Pregnant. Yara's words burn through Rene's ears like a harsh slap; it snaps him back to reality. Lyrien certainly didn't waste much time to get this female with his child!"You are lying!" The surge of anger that Lyrien feels is tempered by a growing sense of unease gnawing and seizing him as he gazes at Rene, who seems to have withdrawn into himself; the golden flecks in his eyes are now dim with hurtful tears. Rene perceives the whiff of Yara's scent as a Beta; she didn't possess a phenomenal scent before, but now, he can perceive the faint smell of it. A scent very similar to Lyrien's. One that cannot be mistaken."It's true, you can ask the healer to test my pheromones, I'm pregnant with your child. I cannot lie to you about something as serious as this!" Yara says fervently, and then she beams with a triumphant smile, her palms cradling her belly. "This calls for a celebration, it's the goddess's bless
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE**It's been too fucking long.The fierce craving takes hold of his senses, leaving him with intense lust and as his glazed gaze roams Rene's tempting features, a pool of saliva gathers in Lyrien's mouth from his drooling canines. His breaths becomes more laboured, gasping out in uncontrolled pants. His mate shouldn't look so eatable, or one day Lyrien fears he may just swallow him up. The fresh scent of panic and fearful pheromones oozing from his omega causes Lyrien's cock to jerk, spurting more fluid. With a savage snarl, he yanks Rene's arms. "Hold me tight, calm down the beast that is about to claim you or I won't be able to control myself. I will fuck you into oblivion," He throatily rasps. Rene finds himself holding tightly onto Lyrien, even though he strongly knows it will do nothing. Lyrien doesn't enter Rene; instead, he pulls the cover above them and then buries his face into Rene's neck, his arousal from his now-turned purplish cock continuing to
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR * * "Lyrien?” Haesir takes a quick intake of breath, watching his cousin's broad back as he crouches against the mud, the trees, dead wood and branches surrounding them. For the first time, Haesir looks doubtful, uncertain about how to speak the words aloud, but then again, he is certain that Lyrien already knows it, too. Yet the warrior has not spoken a word since dawn and now, it's nearly dusk. "Looks like your mate left intentionally," Lyrien's back muscle stiffens, and his brow knits into a brooding stare; the imprints of horseshoes on the soil end in this particular spot, the rest of it completely washed by the rain. Slowly, he turns and meets Haesir's gaze, he looks ready to kill. His eyes are bloodshot and red at the rim, and several wet strands of hair have fallen across his face, giving him the semblance of a deadly predator even as he blows out chill air through his nostril. Without a word, Lyrien climbs and fastens his horse, leaving the group
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE * * A MONTH AND HALF LATER Sighing tiredly, Rene swipes the back of his arm against the sweat on his brow, as he glares against the sun. “Why must you be so hot?” He mutters to himself. It is a particularly hot day. The sun is bright and shining down on them all, and the few times they are lucky enough to feel a breeze, it is still warm, not soothing at all. “It's not that bad, I think you both are already used to living near the ocean," Tyr replies. "Look, I already got my basket filled with herbs, we should leave before you catch a heat stroke again, you know you get sick easily," Rene turns at the sound of Soral's voice, and his lips pucker in a pout. "I'm not that fragile!" He grumbles but Soral merely snorts in disbelief. Rene's empty herb basket is proof that his presence is only to offer emotional support. The trio walk down to the foot of the mountains, and the small village comes into view; they enter the shabby tiny hut which has become their ho
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX**"Rene. . .?" Rene flinches at the sound of the voice, low and repulsive, as he gazes in shock; the memories of their last encounter jar through his brain, hitting him like a sledgehammer. Out of all the possibilities, why is it. . . Javier?!As Rene meets Javier's equally stunned stare, his fears melt away, replaced by a rising tide of anger, washing over him in a vicious, boiling wave. The nightmarish vision of Horden. . . losing the child makes his head foggy. The pure hate that consumes him is so intense, crushing him and leaving him breathless. Javier springs abruptly from his chair, ordering the others to leave, and they all do so, except for Soral who nervously stares from Rene to Javier. “H-How are you here?”Javier says, stepping closer in quick, heavy strides, and Rene's teeth bare, his finger clenched, preparing to shred Javier's face if he so much as touches him. "Rene!" Soral rushes to grasp Rene's hand, they need to leave!The exit is suddenl
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN * * Rene's eyelids feel sore. He is too exhausted to open them, and only vaguely is he aware of the figure that touches him. The cool fingers that slowly trails every part of his skin. Instinctively, he buries his face into the firm, cool chest and hugs the owner closer. He has missed this touch. Only in dreams like this does it feel real. A small moan ripples from Rene's when he feels a soft kiss pressed to his chest. Lyrien. . . The name burns on the back of Rene's tongue. The lips kissing his chest and abdomen are persistent. Rene weakly resigns himself to it; his breathing becomes erratic, and his body slick with sweat as he allows himself to be freely touched. Javier groans low in his throat as he runs his hand through the smooth skin, lingering on the pink pebbles on Rene's chest. He grazes his hand down Rene's abdomen, and even lower. The smell of pheromones oozing from Rene fills the air with a mouth-watering aroma. Intoxicating. Javier's
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT**"It's just a small village, nothing worthy of your interest," Luca says worriedly, casting a nervous glance around the thick trees as the small settlement comes into view. Lyrien's booted leg steps on a dry tree branch, effectively snapping it. Debris crunchs beneath his weight.His dark stare zeroes on the bustling village at Noonday. Nothing interesting?The fact that this place is not included in his recent maps is already suspicious, Lyrien has always trusted his instincts when it comes to things like this. A whiff.Lyrien's nostrils flare, catching the faint smell lingering in his air, he inhales deeply, wanting to hold on to it. The familiarity of it teases his senses and every cell he possesses grows ravage in alert.There is no mistake in the scent. Adrenaline surges through him, propelling him forward until a small lake, which is surrounded by bushes, comes into view. And then, he sees it. A vision that tightens his throat, leaving him gasping a
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE**The sun is beginning to set, the warmth of it casting a golden glow around the earth. Soral looks at the door anxiously; the warrior guarding it has just left, Soral has heard the footsteps retreating some seconds ago.This is the chance!He tiptoes out of the hut, the path is clear!His muscles shoot with adrenaline as he begins to run. He has to find Rene!Far too engrossed with the intent to escape, Soral does not notice the male who walks down the same path until it's too late.He slams into the hard body and staggers backwards at the impact; the strong fingers digging into Soral's biceps halts his fall."Where do you think you are going?!" The warrior sneers. Soral's mouth grows bone dry, he opens his mouth to speak, but nothing leaves...his tongue remaining stiff in his mouth.Goosebumps rise on his skin, hyper-aware of the Alpha's gaze on him... Watching him ... This is also the same warrior that had dragged him out of Javier's chamber earlier. Yori's
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR**"What are you doing, omega!"Vidarr's dark eyes latch onto Soral's panicked ones as fierce as they can be, and embarrassment spreads through Soral with such fury that his cheeks redden. Caught in the act, Soral is too stunned to speak. His eyes unwillingly fall downward again,, and his lip drops open in an alarmed shriek when the massive organ which is pointing towards the roof continues to jerkrhythmicallyly, the tip oozing out pearly fluids. "I'm . . . I'm sorry!" Soral's lips wobble as he clenches them to fight back tears. "I didn't mean to make it a-abnormal""Abnormal?" Vidarr scoffs, the intense look is replaced by something different. . . A strangely dark emotion that Soral cannot read and yet he squirms uncomfortably beneath the scorching heat of it. "Indeed, you've made it abnormal, omega" Vidarr's amused gaze watches his omega's face intently, and surprise flares through him when Soral dramatically turns even more crimson; his large honeycomb eye
CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE * * A sound jerks Soral awake. It is a groan. His captor's groan. Soral sits up and turns to look at the barbarian who is lying beside him. Vidarr's severe breathing and the fire cackling are the only sounds in the room. His body is shaking vigorously, and he is mumbling in his sleep; the guttural sounds that escape his parted lips closely remind Soral of a wounded wild creature. The barbarian continues to toss and turn, while Soral watches with conflicted emotions. His captor is having a nightmare. Should he wake him? Sweat makes Vidarr's skin glisten, his murmurs grow louder, and Soral can almost make out what he is saying. "Rhona__No__Rhona, Please__ Please don't!" He gasps, his brows are tightened, and moistness gathers around his eyes. Soral feels as though it isn't just about the physical pain. So, this dominant Alpha can be vulnerable too? He is not the savage warrior at this moment, this powerful man looks deeply haunted. Soral finds
CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO * * “What?” Rene's breath shudders out of him, he can only gape openly at Lyrien. Lyrien’s hand slowly lifts, shaking as it traces Rene's cheek and the tears running down his face like a pure crystal stream. His thumb brushes over the moist as his dark eyes trace Rene's features, as though committing his face to memory. “I already decided that when you wake up, I'm going to let you freely choose whatever you want to, I won't interfere with your life anymore." Free? Rene's stunned expression is replaced by a misty rage that floods through his eyes. He smacks off Lyrien's hand from his face, as a sharp pang of acrid resentment courses through him. "You won't let me die and wither. . .?" Rene sneers, temper rising again, and exertion causes his heart to beat even faster until black spots swim around his eyes, but he refuses to faint. "You are going to let me go. Such nice words!" He hisses, a hysterical laughter bubbles from his dry parched throat. "Is
CHAPTER SEVENTY ONE * * Black. Blur Black. . . Then, blur again. He blinks weakly to clear the haze in his vision and then his brows twitch slightly, his mind growing foggy with confusion. It takes no more than a second for the memories to attack, all of it, each painful piece, stabbing his numb heart and forcing it to skip a beat. Disbelief . . . Disappointment. . . Anger Why? Isn't he supposed to be . . .dead? He doesn't feel any physical pain, his body is numb, yet his heart pounds uncontrollably with dismay. The familiar surroundings of the large tent propels Rene to shut his eyes, willing the once merciful darkness to return. He had been on the brink of sliding away. . . On the edge of oblivion, and he had been ready. So why does this cruel fate decide to give him a second chance? Rene shudders from a mild tingling sensation that travels across his neck and down to his spine. Something is wrong. Within him, Rene cannot place it, yet he feels as though s
CHAPTER SEVENTY * * The wolf jumps in the air, its canines bared viciously, preparing to feast on its frightened prey. Soral's eyes shut close, anticipating the pain of being shredded apart. His teeth sink hard against his bottom lip. A second blows past like a soft wind. No pain comes. Maybe he is already dead? A loud crashing sound jerks his eyes open. Shocked and too numb to react, he can only stare at the sight in front of him. It takes several seconds for him to realize that he is not imagining things. Vidarr. He is present in the flesh! Soral watches with a mixture of fascination and morbid shock as Vidarr struggles with the large black wolf on the ground for a few moments, grasping the beast by its thick neck. "Watch out!" Soral lets out a blood-curdling shriek when another wolf jumps high in the air to attack Vidarr. The Alpha and the wolves continue to struggle, and Soral doesn't think he will stand a chance against these scary creatures. Soral wants to ru
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE**Soral jerks awake from the dreadful dream.He exhales raggedly, the nightmare felt so real, where the Dahome barbaric leader had gotten to Rene and wrecked havoc on the small village. Thankfully, it has only been a dream. The morning starts slowly, and Soral grudgingly watches the Alpha move about. Some minutes later, Soral is served the meal, which consists of dried fruits, smoked meat and some vegetables. He meets Vidarr's watchful gaze and instantly looks away, shuddering inwardly. Soral has no appetite, but he also has no wish to upset his captor, he does not want a repeat of what happened. His face flushes deeply with memory, it had been nearly impossible to fall asleep. Those long torturous hours during which was forced to be so close to the barbarian, and the way those muscular arms of his had drapes possessively around his waist all night long.Soral nibbles the food slowly, fully conscious of the opposite eyes searing into him. Just as the night b
CHAPTER SIXTY EIGHT **Lyrien burst into the tent, his heart racing with a mix of fear and urgency. His eyes lock on Rene's restless form instantly. His face is contorted into a grimace of pain, perspiration drenching his pale skin; as he turns wildly on the bed, Amala and a maid struggle to hold him down. The sound of his ravaged breathing and the cracking sound of burning incense permeates the air. "Get away, no don't touch it, it hurts!" Rene screams again, shoving Amala with his flailing hands just as Lyrien join them in two hurried strides."He won't allow me to touch the wound on his neck..." Amala says helplessly.Lyrien's eyes narrow at Rene, who appears to be in another shuddering episode of pain. The yellow and green inflammation on his neck is already worse than it was a few hours ago, and the infection has begun to spread all across the whole area of his neck."If it spreads to his chest. His heart may stop beating. . . " Amala says, "At this point, it's up to his wil
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN * * Lyrien knows that some of his warriors do not agree with his choice of camping in the middle of nowhere, but when it comes to what's important, Lyrien cannot risk his mate's life by travelling in his critical state. He has already informed Haesir to lead most of their troop back to their settlement. Lyrien's hand reaches to touch the already-healed spot on his forehead where Rene had attacked him with the bowl, and he scoffs, his lips twitching slightly. His omega has been the one who escaped with the enemy and even tried to sever their bond. Yet, he still behaves with a brazen lack of guilt, acting with an air of innocence which Lyrien finds unconvincing. Those wide hazel orbs which have been pleading with him only a moment ago and willing to do anything to appease him are now shrouded with a stubborn hate-filled glint. . . "You burned down half of the world just to search for him. You finally got him, yet, you don't seem any better," Haesir remarks,
CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX * * They ride for what seems like hours with the burning village behind them. Rene's thighs are numb, his butt sore, the muscular arms wrapped around him is too tight, crushing his ribs. His whole body aches and his throat feels scratched from dehydration. He feels particularly weak, the wound in his neck throbbing slowly. Yet, no complaints leave his mouth. Words are not needed, it's unlikely that the Brute will listen to him anyway. His tired eyes flutter close as his head falls limp against his captive's broad chest. The moment his omega's head collapses on his chest, Lyrien feels the burning hotness of his skin. "Rene!" Two fingers tap Rene's chin. No response comes. "We take a break, set the camp!" Lyrien orders the warrior to halt. He scoops Rene's unconscious form in his arms and jumps down from the horse, for the first time, he notices Rene's red flushed skin, his teeth chattering with cold despite the scorching heat of the midday sun. The