He waited for a few more minutes after the second group had passed, before slowly removing his hand from her mouth and taking a step back."What's going on?" Bernice asked, trying to peer at him through the dark "I thought this place was supposed to be inhabited, empty even. Who are these people?"Still in the darkness, Rojan answered "It seems the man that sold the information to us, also went about selling it to others," he hissed "Wayne paid him handsomely to keep the information confidential, that backstabbing weasel.""What do we do now? Should we return back home?" She asked worriedly."Going back home is not an option. If anything, I am more determined to get to it before the others.""But there are ghouls and other bounty hunters searching for the dragon's remains. It has become dangerous for us to continue our search," she said to the darkness, unsure of where he now stood.After a few shuffling in the dark, bright beams of light shone from a small battery torch Rojan held in
He knew trouble when he saw it.This man right here looked like trouble.And he didn't have time for this.Without turning back, Rojan answered "I don't think I know you," he muttered and took another step.Two of the leader's men breezed forward and were in front of him in a second, preventing him from leaving."You are the beta, second in command to the notorious King Wayne, aren't you?" the leader said from behind them.His mind began calculating as he eyed the two men in front. They had black spots in a shape of rosettes, tattooed all over their body and with the exact same bald haircut, as their leader.From how they were dressed, even without the hydrogen sulfide masking their scent, he knew they were Jaguar shapeshifters. That sect of shapeshifters enshrined the Samurai way of martial arts. Sleek and fast, utilizing double swords.They were usually hired as assassins. Whoever sent them on this bounty hunt, must really want the dragon's remains.Just like he did as well.He coul
The door to the restaurant swung on its hinges and Jason walked into a familiar place.He looked around, as usual the place was teaming with different folks, eating and chatting.Sally's restaurant was a small place, so it was not hard to find his twin brother, seated at a corner drinking from a jug and smoking his pipe.He strode over to the table and sat down "Getting high in the middle of the day, are we?"Jordan didn't answer immediately as he first let out a cloud of smoke from his mouth before saying "Care for some?" He held up his pipe, offering it."No thanks," Jason declined. Then drew back to stare at his brother "Why did you request to meet me here?"Watching his brother closely, he started to notice the dark shadows under his eyes, the worry lines that spanned his face and the fine lines around his mouth. His short brown hair was tousled and he looked like had aged significantly, even though they were of the same age and identical in every respect.With the way his shoulde
Candice stretched her limbs as she rolled over on the bed, her lashes fluttering as she pried them open.The morning sun filtered in through the curtains, blinding her eyes. She closed her eyes and turned over, trying to get to the other side of the bed.An object was in her path, preventing her smooth bed roll. Disoriented, she opened her eyes to see what was blocking her way and her heart skipped at the sight.Wayne was sleeping soundly beside her, as usual, he was naked and had the sheets tucked around his waist, leaving his upper body bare and visible.Her hungry eyes washed over him, greedily, gulping in the view. She could remember the first time she had woken up beside him, she had been alarmed and terrified to find herself in his bed. Now, a sense satisfaction enveloped her. She felt…happy to be with him in his bed.Ever since she had been revived from that deathly poison, Wayne had insisted she slept in his room with him every night. If he was to go into the city for meetings
His words were light and simple, so why did it sound like a groan to her ears and why did her nipples immediately grow hard at his smile?She saw his eyes dip to her chest; she knew her nipples were visible through the transparent red lingerie she was wearing. Recently, she had been dressing provocatively to bed, trying to seduce him.A flash of blue crossed his irises and he shook his head as if to clear it.There went her hope for a passionate morning of lovemaking. How long could she continue to endure this?"Wayne?" She asked gently."Yes, my kitten," he answered.He had begun calling her that endearment word ever since she woke up. Somehow, the nickname had started to grow on her."Do you…" she started to ask but trailed off. Too embarrassed to ask if he found her attractive or not."I just wanted to know if you had any plans this morning," she said instead.He gazed at the ceiling, avoiding to look at her "I have a meeting with the committee assigned to the hinterland relief dis
He rose from the bed.The blanket fell from his body.He stretched his limbs, his muscles taut and hard. All his cords and tendons ached from head to toe. His joints squeaked and cracked as he flexed them.The few days that had proceeded after the incident with the wolfsbane had been nothing but pure torture.His wee mate was a wicked temptress.Another peculiar side of her, he was only just discovering. She was giving him all the green lights that she wanted him, needed him to pleasure her.But he couldn't.At least not right now.Firstly, he needed to make her an amortal first, turn her into a wolf halfling. That was the top priority on his list at the moment. The terror he had felt when she lay in his arms lifeless, crumpling into a dry pile of flesh, gave him a scare like no other.Pandemonium.His emotions were in turmoil. His sense of clarity had become twisted and complicated.The thought of using her for childbirth and then relegating her to the background did not appeal to hi
Once he was in his bathroom, he turned on the shower and stepped under the spray.The cold water that ran down the length of his body, eased the knots that had tightened from all the pent-up emotions weighing him down.Switching the knob from the cold tank to the warm tank, he put his hands on the wall in front of him and leaned forward, letting the water cascade from the back of his neck and down his shoulders.He had just begun to revel in the warmth when cold hands hugged him from behind. He jolted at the contact, stiffening immediately.Soft supple flesh pressed against him from behind as lips as tender as butter pressed a light kiss on his back.His body responded by shuddering. The initial alarm faded as a sweet citrus fragrance filled his nostrils.Even without looking back, he knew who it was."Candice…" her name left his lips in a low whisper."I-I tried to hold back," her small voice murmured against his back, sending shivers up and down his spine.His cock hardened immediat
Four days later."Dispatch the grains to the Hinterlands and give them seedlings for planting," Wayne said to the official in charge of Agriculture and Food security."Yes, my Lord Alpha," the official responded."I need you to also put out an announcement for volunteers, anyone who assists them in planting will reap rewards. Now that the land has healed to a large degree, we need to quickly sow seeds so by next season, the harvest will be plentiful," he said, stamping his seal on a paper document and handing it over to the official."I will do so immediately," the man received the document and gingerly exited the office.Belinda, his secretary, quickly walked in after the official "Shall I tell the next official to enter, sire?""Who is next?" he asked."The official in charge of Solid Minerals, Mines and Steel development," she answered."I will take a twenty-minute break and then we can resume the meetings according to schedule," he instructed."Yes, my Lord," she nodded and walked
"Candice, as much as I hate to do this to you, but I must remind you this is real life. Not everyone is lucky to be mated to a king. As an omega wolf, I must find my own path and create a future for myself," Everette's voice was cold as it floated to her ears."But you were my friend, I took you as my sister. You meant so much to me," her bottom lip shook from the sting of her betrayal."And what good did your empathy do for me? Did you really think I would settle for the life of a seamstress when I could live the life of a queen and enjoy all that you enjoy?" She let out another string of laughter. "That mate of yours was able to take you for a fool because of your naive approach to life. Just because you are good, it does not mean life would be nice to you too."The words struck her like lightning, the dart of an arrow, as painful as it was piercing. So, she too thought her to be a fool. And one deserving of manipulation and deceit because of her lenient nature.Tears clouded her vi
Candice was surprised at her reflexes.Adrenaline had kicked in and she felt a power and boldness like never before as she threw Everette behind and assumed a defensive posture in front.Her eyes moved from one male to another, taking in their features. One male had a scar that ran over his left eye, he was dressed in simple jeans and a black polo. The other three were dressed in like fashion with him. Looking quite simple, but intimidating with an undertone of trouble."What do you want? Why have you come after us?" She demanded, surprising herself yet again with her bold stance. Even though her heart raced with fear and her legs trembled."The human girl, here and in the flesh," the male with the scar mused wistfully to himself, unperturbed by her defensive posture. He went on "I had my doubts about you, but you managed to accomplish the mission."She frowned, what mission? Who was he even talking to?"Will you continue to hide like a mouse or will you finally show yourself?" He spo
Candice looked around as she walked.The place was teeming with trees.Tall, long trees with outstretched branches formed an umbrella covering above, obscuring the night sky and casting eerie shadows over the path.Blades of grass sliced across her legs as Everette hurried her along.She had no idea where they were, but Everette assured her that they were on Misty plane, the land of the phantoms.Though it did not have mists swirling around as it did during her last visit. However, Everette told her they were on the outskirts of the plane. Once they entered the city, the mists would be seen.Well, all she really cared about was getting to Sabine's place before Wayne noticed her absence and came after them. And come he will, for she was still his mate and was the medium for his kids to come into the world.Medium.The word made bile rise in her throat. To him, she was just an object, a means to an end. While her heart had skipped severally, just by looking at him, he had been secretly
If he was blind before, now he could see.And he knew had fucked up.She made his father's dreams come true."Did Candice attend the assembly alone in my absence?" he asked softly."Yes sire, she did. She besieged me non-stop to release some gold, which she used for the purchase of some strange chairs from another realm, and took them along with her to the assembly," Earnest replied.A chair?The council gave their approval because if a chair?He had no idea how she had been able to accomplish what his father tried to do during his reign and failed. Even himself, one of the most feared kings in history, had a hard time bending those elders to his will.Yet, an average human girl with no special abilities and no superpower was able to do it in a very diplomatic and seamless way, without violence or bloodshed.She was a special one.While he had been sulking in his room and feeling dejected, she had been thinking of how to ease his burden. To make his work lighter, to cover up his short
Wayne swayed on his feet, feeling dazed.Everette was the traitor all along and he had failed to recognize it.She was a two-faced pretender.Acting so harmless and weak, meanwhile, she was a cunning, evil mastermind.It was no surprise he had not liked her, something always felt off to him about her. Twice he had wanted to end her, but for Candice's sake, he spared her life.Because of her, he suspected his subjects and almost killed one of his loyal sentinels.Such a camouflaging, vicious mole.Now that he thought about it, she started her service to his house around the same time Candice was brought here. Carefully weaving her way into his home, to be next to her target."How is Everette able to work here? Who posted her here?" he demanded from Earnest."She came highly recommended my lord, with a referral letter from one of the royals," Earnest stated.She clearly must have bribed her way in here. Given the right price, any one of those spoilt young royal brats would write a perfe
It was 7 a.m. the next morning.Wayne sat on his bed.He was unable to get a wink of sleep throughout last night.Rojan had stayed with him until the wee hours of the morning before he had retired to one of the spare rooms to sleep. Today, he would return to his own home in the city, freshen up before reporting back.They had stayed together not sharing much, but taking comfort in each other's company.After a while, Rojan had wanted to see Candice to tell her about Bernice's detour at Sabine's, but at that moment they heard Candice announce to the entire house in a loud voice that she was going into the city for some relaxation.Jason had immediately opted to go with her, but she refused that it was girls night out and she wanted to enjoy only female company.He did not like that she was going unescorted, nevertheless, he did not interfere. After all, he had been hiding away from her like a spoiled teenager who was undergoing puberty and throwing tantrums.No matter how he looked at
After a solid hour of doing nothing but crying her eyes out.She drew back from Everette and wiped at her cheeks.The wheels of her thoughts had begun to spin in a different direction. Her mind seeking an escape from this harsh reality. A whirlwind of ideas blew through her brain like a hurricane.While she agreed that she was an easy target to be used and deceived, she would be a complete fool to stay put and watch as Wayne carried out his plans and trampled all over her."I need to leave, Everette," she whispered.Her maidservant's eyes widened "What?""I need to leave immediately, I cannot just sit around and wait for him to do these horrible things to me," she repeated."Are you trying to run away milady?" Everette whispered as her eyes darted toward the door, nervously."I am not running away, I am simply leaving," she stated, then she let out a bitter laugh "This…place was never home, to begin with. I was only a passing guest and now it's time to leave.""You would not be able to
Everette rushed to hold her."Are you okay milady? Did you confront him? What did he say?" she asked all at once with concern in her voice.She was unable to respond. Too shocked to speak, so she did what she could only do, which was to let the tears flow from deep within her soul.She felt an agony like no other.Her shoulders shook, her chest heaved and her stomach knotted. Snot ran down her nose all the way to her mouth, saliva drooled from the edges of her lips down to her chest. A vein jumped in her temple, throbbing like a migraine as she felt her world crash around her.Her whole body trembled and yet she could not utter a sound.Her eyes burned as though it was her blood that gushed from them instead of water.The emotion was so raw, so painful.He had deceived her, betrayed her trust, and broken her soul.He had everything planned out from the beginning, she was just a pawn in his game. A ragdoll he could use and dispose of, a cheap accessory that could be bought with money.
She could not believe Wayne had written this contract.Would not believe he had so cold-heartedly drawn up such a heartless, wicked, demeaning contract for her.No, not the Wayne she knew.How well do you know him? A small voice murmured in her head.For the four months she had stayed with him, she could attest to certain things he was capable of and this was too despicable to be true.Shook her head to clear it "Where did you get this from?""I found it lying in a corner in his office when Earnest instructed me to clean it this morning," Everette responded.Candice opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She swallowed and tried again "I can't believe this Everette, I just can't," she turned on her heel and started towards the door."Where are you going?" Everette called behind her."I am going to confront him with this," she threw over her shoulder.Before Everette could say anything else, she had opened her room door and was heading out. Her eyes had narrowed to slits and she saw re