RoyceSince it was the beginning of a new season; that time of the year again when the maids would be reshuffled to different departments, I got to the open patio where the Alpha was, to prepare a new roster for them.As I went about my business, allocating them to different departments according to their names on the register, the Alpha swiftly interrupted me as soon as I mentioned the name of that fat maid."Put her in charge of my meal," he ordered calmly.My head jerked up as soon as I heard his words, and my brows furrowed in confusion. No matter how I thought about it, I just couldn't understand why Xenra should be in charge of Asher's meal when she wasn't even a chef."Why, sir?" My question tumbled out of my lips even before my brain could follow. I was too confused to pay attention to the difference between us.The words had already left my lips before I realised I was being too blunt with the Alpha again."I mean..." I swiftly continued, "There are many qualified chefs in th
AsherAs I stood beside my window that day, peering into the distance, I couldn't take my mind off the soup pudding prepared by Xenra.The taste of it made me nostalgic, and a reminiscence of my past with Xenra, the vampire queen, began to flood my mind.No matter how I thought about it, I couldn't shake the fact that it tasted exactly the same as the ones I'd eaten years ago, so unique and different from that of the chefs in my palace."The only person that had made a soup pudding that way was Xenra." I admitted it.Although Xenra, the vampire queen, never liked cooking, she made soup pudding for me every time I visited her and anytime she came to my pack.As I pondered it, something about the unique flavour and their similar taste got me curious, and my attention shifted to my maid Xenra."Why are they so similar?" I couldn't help but ponder aloud.As my thoughts lingered, I began to compare their personalities, and despite the fact that one was a queen in her palace and the other a
LenaMy steps were heavy with determination as they carried me out of Asher's room. Deep within me, I was seething.The fact that Asher wasn't even certain about when he would take me as his mate greatly infuriated me."He's so nonchalant about it and isn't even ready to take me as his mate." I said to myself, my voice heavy with anger.I didn't need anyone to tell me about it; I could see how unprepared he was to do the right thing, and I knew I had to do something."If he continues like this, it'd greatly affect my plans of revenge and that of my brother's as well. I really need to do something about this." I muttered beneath my breath.My fists were clenched tightly beside me in a matching determination as my steps carried me out of the palace.I wanted to seek out a quiet corner where I could pour out my frustration and anger, and so I headed straight to the hall that led out of the palace.As my anger propelled me forward, I recalled how I had caught Asher staring at that fat mai
LenaI was filled with disgust as I watched that fat maid stand close to Asher, and a great sense of anger surged within me as she served the meal she had prepared for dinner.My fists clenched beneath the table as I stared at her. If only I could sniff her breath off her nostrils, I would have done that already.The fact that I had to see her at every meal made me so angry.Akira and Asher were busy chatting about some random topic, but I was so immersed in my surging wrath and hatred for her to pay attention to what they were discussing."This meal smells good," Akira's compliment finally caught my attention, and I turned towards her to find a wide grin on her face as she spoke to Asher.Asher nodded his head in response, a flicker of excitement in his eyes, which alone was like fuel to the rage swirling inside of me.As if that wasn't enough, he continued, "You need to taste the soup pudding she made the other day." His voice was calm and approving.Asher's words dropped into my he
LenaAs I brooded over my wrath, an unexpected voice broke out from behind me, "I'm sorry for what just happened, my lady." The voice calmly apologised.My head whipped towards the person who had just spoken, and my gaze fell on Asher's beta, Royce, who was standing behind me, and my brows furrowed."What are you doing here?" I asked, glaring at him, "What are you sorry for?"But the words had barely left my lips when Royce began to speak, "I saw what happened at the dining hall, and I'm really sorry that the Alpha and his sister had to disrespect you all because of an ordinary maid." Royce boldly responded.His audacity irked me, and I wondered what gave him the nerve to think he had the right to interfere in my business.As I stared at him, I felt my anger boiling within me, and I was determined to put him in his place so that next time, he wouldn't dare speak when he wasn't supposed to."Before I came to this pack, I did some background checks, and I heard about you, Royce," I bega
RoyceGradually, the mask of pretense she had worn peeled off and revealed the person I had always believed she was.Her lips slightly curled into a confident smirk, and her eyes sparked with a fierce determination."I think I like this kind of partnership!" She firmly declared, her words filled with confidence."You know I've been wondering why you've been so calm and obedient," she swiftly continued, "because I've always believed you should have deep resentments for the Alpha."My lips curled into a smirk as soon as I heard her words, even as I realized we were both on the same page."Trust me, I do! You can't even imagine." I replied, my words wrapped with the fierce determination burning within me.Lena scoffed and nodded her head as soon as she heard my words, and she pulled her gaze away from me, and then she took two steps closer."The first thing I want to find is the person who killed my father," She began to speak, "I got a message from my brother that my father's murderer i
Lenhandro"I'm certain that the lady we saw in Maltos' Castle isn't Xenra," I told Randy, who had just walked into my room, my voice heavy with certainty.As soon as he heard my words, his brows furrowed, and his eyes bulged. I could see the fear and uncertainty glinting in his eyes as he stared at me.But before he could express his shock over what I had just said, I continued. "Even if she's the one, that means she has lost all her powers.""In the few days I spent with her, I noticed how much of a weakling she was." My voice came again, heavy with certainty.Deep within me, I didn't need anyone to tell me she wasn't who she used to be. She didn't even behave like a shadow of herself; she behaved like an entirely different person.The words had barely left my lips when Randy let out the fear that had settled in his heart. "My Lord," he began, his voice a little shaky and urgent. "That's a very great taboo if someone hears you say so."But his words made me scoff, amused by his littl
Lenhandro"Get ready, we're going to pay Leo a visit." I instructed Jerome, who had just walked into my chambers.As soon as he heard my words, he bowed his head in reverence."Yes, my Lord." He replied and turned, but before he could take one step away from where I stood, I called him back."Don't keep me waiting." I told him, my voice laced with warnings, and in that instant, he placed his hands together in front of his chest, and I realised he had worn a leather glove over his lost thumb."I promise not to keep you waiting, my Lord." Jerome responded with a slight bow, and as soon as he turned, he quickened his pace out of my chambers.After about four minutes, a knock came on the door, and as soon as I granted whoever it was access into my room, Jerome opened the door, his chest heaving hard against his ribcage."Everything is ready, my Lord." He said, as he tried to catch his breath.I grunted in response and waved him off while he took another bow and left.Later that day, I arr
AsherMy heart was filled with warmth as I stared at Xenra's tear-stained face, the pain and weakness that had overwhelmed me gradually seeping off my shoulders.Xenra's words had given me another chance to live, a reason to hold onto life, and I had decided to grab it.Deep within me, I was beginning to feel strength spring up within me, and I knew her prayer had something to do with it.Xenra looked stunned to find me staring at her; on her face was etched a mix of emotions—surprise, excitement, and disbelief—all glinted in her eyes.Her lips parted as she stared at me, but she couldn't utter a word; the surprise she had felt had left her utterly speechless.Seconds stretched on, and none of us tore our gaze away from each other. At that moment, all I felt was peace and truth, a sincerity that couldn't be denied.There was no other word to be said; I had seen and heard it all myself.As we stared at each other, the thudding sounds of boots running towards us made our heads whip towa
XenraMy heart banged faster as I stared at Asher, who was lying down almost motionless. The sight of him looking so weak and frail made my heart jump so hard from fright."Asher!""Asher!" His name tumbled out of my lips as desperation swelled within me. I was in an urgent need to get to him; I tried to drag myself towards him, but I couldn't even move an inch.The transfer I made to save his life had left me feeling like a sack of bones.Chills and goosebumps wrapped around me as I watched him groan in pain. Fear and desperation firmly clung onto me at the thought of him dying.My heart was torn apart, and I couldn't bear to watch his life slip away from him."Asher," I called with every strength I could muster this time around. But my voice was barely above a whisper, rough and harsh.Asher's eyes flickered open, but he couldn't even keep them open. He was so weak and almost lifeless; he couldn't even move an inch."Asher!" I called a little louder again, my voice filled with despe
Asher"Bastard! You bastard!" Leo growled, his voice heavy with a seething rage as he glared at Xenra."You dare lay your filthy hands on my father, and you have the guts to say it to my face?" He continued, disbelieving, ringing in his tone as his eyes glinted with wrath.The veins on his face became more visible as he seethed, and at that moment I felt my strength seeping off my shoulders.My knees couldn't hold me up anymore, and I staggered backward; my steps took Xenra unaware, and despite her efforts to hold me back, I fell to my knees."Asher, Asher, Are you okay?" Xenra asked, her words rushed and urgent as she stared at me, desperation glinting in her eyes.From the look on her face, I could tell she really wasn't waiting for my response. She had gotten the answer herself and had only asked because she was scared. I could see it in her eyes. An unfamiliar look I had never seen before, even when she pretended to be an ordinary maid, even when she went through the harsh punishm
Xenra."You bastard!" Lenhandro cursed, staggering backward, his eyes wide open in shock. The disbelief and pain written all over his face were palpable.He winced and gasped for breath, desperately trying to cling to life as it began to slip away from him, but there was nothing he could do while I watched in anticipation as he struggled all he could, until he finally collapsed with a heavy thud.The veins on his face and neck were now visible, and his laboured breathing was now very audible. He bared his teeth, unmistakable wishes in his eyes as he glared at me, but all he could do was curse.The sight of him struggling to hold onto life made me chuckle, the sound of which echoed the mockery and contentment in my heart.Lenhandro's eyes fluttered as he tried to stay awake, but then, even he seemed to have realised he wouldn't be able to stop what was coming.As it dawned on him that he couldn't do anything to stop his inevitable demise, he growled again, "You bastard!" Shooting an an
XenraMy lips spread into a small smile as I snapped out of the thoughts that had kept me busy. "Really?" I asked him. "You want us to join hands together?"My words were wrapped with surprise as I spoke, staring at him in a feigned excitement."Of course, my love," Lenhandro swiftly replied, determination ringing in his tone."We can join hands together, and you'd see just how we can take over the world. The world is large enough for both of us to rule." He added, conviction echoing in his voice as he gestured.He halted in his tracks, and I saw him swallow hard. "Look, Xenra, I'm not ready to fight with you; I would never do that again," he said. "I'm ready to go with your terms."His furrowed brows were supposed to convey his sincerity, but I could see right through him, and I knew it was a mask over his evil ambition.As if he hadn't said enough, he continued, "I'm really sorry about what happened; believe me, I really regretted it," he said, "I've really missed you so much, my lo
XenraMy steps were heavy with determination as I rushed through the hallway with just one intent in mind—to get to Lenhandro.The hallway was packed with maids and male servants, who were hastily running in all directions, speaking for safety, while Leo's and Lenhandro's soldiers chased them, slashing them with their swords.Cries of anguish and fear echoed in the whole of the palace, but the soldiers didn't spare them.Inside the hall, Asher's soldiers were already fighting against the invaders, clashing against them, and they tried to secure their home.Seeing the maids and the old servants being slaughtered greatly enraged me, and I marched towards them.Since Lenhandro's soldiers had come from the main entrance, I knew if I could break through the approaching guards, I'd get to the bastard who betrayed me.As I brooded over my wrath, a soldier fell beside me, and his spear slipped from his grasp. Without waiting for another second, I swiftly picked it up, and with that same inten
Asher"Quickly, let's go," Xenra said to the guard that supported my other arm, and they both led me into the secret passage.As we walked through it, I kept hearing the loud wails and screams of my people, conveying their agony and distress.The sound of metal clashing against another filled the air and made my heart ache. That was the cry of my innocent citizen, and the fact that I had to hide to save my life broke my heart.As we walked through the dimly lit passage, my heart kept bleeding as their voices filled the whole space.Deep within me, I knew I had to do something; I knew I shouldn't be the coward who abandoned his people and flew to safety while his people were being sacrificed in their home.Filled with that determination, I halted in my tracks, refusing to be led farther away from my people, who were sacrificing their lives for our clan.Xenra's head whipped towards me, but before she could say a word about it, I swiftly began to speak:"This whole thing will lead to ev
Xenra"No," I shook desperately as I stared at him, "I can't leave you." My words tumbled out in a determined rush.Seeing him getting weaker and weaker was already a painful sight, but what I couldn't bear to do was to leave him alone just as he had requested."What is wrong with you?!" Asher said, more like a statement than a question. "I'm asking you to leave now. Do you want Lenhandro to kill you again and have the last laugh?""He's your worst enemy, and we both know you'd forever be uneasy if you don't have your revenge against him tonight," Asher added, his voice firm and resolute.Asher's breath finally stabilised, but then I knew it wasn't something to rejoice over, since that was the nature of the poison. My clan's mate had always referred to it as "the poisonous deceit."I knew it was the last gathering of strength that would last for just twelve hours after the person had been injected, before his eventual demise."As you can see, I'm getting better and can take care of my
AsherI could feel my spirit gradually leaving my body as I lay there. The whole of me felt heavy; I was tired of struggling, and my vision began to blur.Vaguely, I heard Lena hiss and saw her walk away from the room. The victorious smile I saw on her face jabbed at my heart even as it dawned on me that I wouldn't be able to save my people and defend what I had always held dear.My mind began to reel with countless thoughts, a chaotic mix of thoughts that made my mind run wild as I sought a solution.But no matter how much I tried, I just couldn't get my mind to focus. The intense pain I was feeling inside wouldn't allow me to focus on a possible solution, and I began to wonder if that was how I would die.My chest was tightening within me, and my breath grew short. Gradually, I began to gasp for breath.Outside my room, I could hear the footsteps of soldiers running towards the entrance. I could also hear the heavy thuds of soldiers on the marbled floor outside the mansion as they r