XenraAs I dwelled on what I had just heard, I felt my blood begin to boil, even as my heart began to pulsate faster with a restrained fury, but then I knew I had to keep my anger in check not to give myself away."So tell me, what are the evil things you heard about her?" I asked as calmly as I could, forcing a smile to my face."Her?" She snorted, "Don't tell me you haven't heard about her," she said, her words dripping with disbelief.At that moment, I began to ponder what would make Zara respond that way, but since I wanted to get as much as I could, I shook my head in response, feigning a complete innocence.As soon as she saw my response, she took quick, short steps towards me, her eyes glinting with a sudden urgency that got me both confused and surprised.As if she were being careful not to be heard, she began, "I heard she's evil." Her words slammed into me, stirring something within me—anger. The anger I had managed to suppress earlier,I wanted to tell her to shut the hole
Xenra I was led by the head guard to Akira's palace. As soon as I got into her palace, I couldn't stop admiring the beautiful scenery, the large garden with a lot of lighting and poles, the spring in the middle of the compound, and the luxurious building. I was wowed by such high-level development. It was clear that Asher was taking good care of her. I had witnessed his care and love for her after the death of their parents, and I could tell that it didn't reduce a bit. Even though Asher was cold-blooded, I needed no one to tell me that he had a soft spot for his sister. The guard led me into a hall that was both large and beautiful. The walls were decorated with different portraits of her and her lovely brother, along with the portraits of their late parents. There were other artistic pictures of different scenery hanging up on the other side of the wall. A large chandelier hung down the high ceiling, with a fireplace at the other end of the wall. As I withdrew m
Xenra"What did you just say?" The chief maiden asked, her brows furrowing with shock and surprise written all over her face. The sternness in her voice was undeniable; she had totally put aside the gentleness I had earlier seen in her.Oh no! Did I just land myself into another trouble? Not again; I shouldn't have involved Asher."Oh, sorry," My response came almost immediately, but then I still needed to ascertain the extent of the trouble I had dived into.I turned instantly to the next maid standing beside me, "Was I loud?" I asked, and as I did, my gaze shifted to the next maid, who nodded her head in response along with the other one.Fuck!Inasmuch as I wanted to know how much they had heard, I didn't know how to ask them about it. I was so engrossed with my thoughts of how arrogant Asher was that I had forgotten to keep my lips sealed and gave myself away.I turned towards the chief maiden and lowered my gaze apologetically, "I'm so sorry, mistress; I didn't mean it that way.
Xenra"You," the chief maiden pointed at Zara. "You'll be working in the kitchen department," she said. But that was what I begged for; why didn't she just give it to me instead, since she knew she was sending someone to the kitchen?She turned and rang a small bronze bell in her hand, and immediately the maid that had gathered together dispatchedAs I stared at their retreating figures, I couldn't stop wondering what was going on. Why were they suddenly walking towards different exit doors?I was still in my thoughts when someone's voice broke into my head. "That's a dismissal bell and also an assembly bell. For now, it means we should resume our duties," Zara said."I have to go now; let me go begin my duties," she said again. Well, fuck off! Is she riding on the fact that she was working in the kitchen?I wasn't in the right frame of mind; the chief had totally set the pace for a bad day already, and the last thing I needed was someone butting in.As soon as she left, I turned tow
XenraHow dare you, Asher? After all these years, you're still arrogant, rude, and selfish!Well, that was supposed to be to his hearing, but I couldn't get myself to say it to him. I felt my muscles clenching tightly as the weight of his insults settled in my heart, causing my breath to grow heavy, and as I stared at him, I felt like punching him in the face.Well, in reality, I was doing all I could to not show any emotions. But what was he really feeling like? Does he think he was someone so mighty and strong? If not for his guards, I'd have dealt with him already and left a mark he'd never forget in his urgly face.'Did I just say ugly? Come on, he's not ugly, though. That part of him being ugly is definitely a lie.' I felt my anger residing as my attention shifted to his face.Well, that face of his was something I could kill for. How could he be that handsome and cold-blooded? If only he was a little warmer and caring, I'd have been his Luna already."How dare you? Are you sure
Xenra "Xenra," I answered, my lips curling inwards as I silently waited for the shock that would give them away. I wanted to see Asher's reaction when he hears my name, so I secretly stole a glance at him. Two seconds passed and there was no reaction from them, although I was more concerned about that of Asher's. 'Wait! What is going on? Maybe they didn't hear me or they're pretending not to,' I reasoned within me. This time around, I was going to make sure they wouldn't be able to conceal how they feel about me and the impact my name had on them. "I said my name is Xenra," I repeated, a little firmer this time around. Although I wasn't directly looking at Asher, I could see him with my side eyes, and I could see the mask of indifference that had coated his features. Akira herself didn't seem concerned or affected by my name. Oh, wow! Was I that insignificant to them? I couldn't deny the hurt I had felt at their indifference towards me. Everything seemed to happen
Xenra"She's my past, and my past remains my past," Asher's voice rang with pride. His words stung, piercing deeply into my heart. As I stood there, I felt my heart begin to pulsate faster, bearing the weight of the hurt his words had inflicted on me, but then I knew I couldn't afford to show any emotions, so I tried my best to control whatever pain and anger were boiling within me. "Oh, I see," Akira's words dropped to a low in defeat. "That's why you chose that witch as a mate," she said. 'A witch as a mate?' That's interesting. I quickly shoved aside every other thought since I didn't want to miss out on any information concerning his private life. My ears perked up with attention as I determined to learn as much as I could from their conversation. Asher, at Akira's words, let out a short chuckle, a dry, throaty chuckle that rang with emptiness. "At least she's better than a vampire queen that feels so important," he said after his chuckle had boiled down. Oh,
Xenra With that determination in mind, I navigated through the hallway until I found my way to Akira's chambers. As soon as I opened the door, my eyes fell on the walls, which were painted pink, causing me to mentally roll my eyes. "Too girly," I thought. I had just taken four steps inside when I heard a voice from behind me, "And who's this?" The lady's voice dripped with a hint of contempt. I spun around, and to my surprise, I found six ladies standing behind me. A very beautiful lady with long dark hair stood in front of them, with her hands held together like a fake princess. From her pose and gesture, one could almost mistake her for royalty, but I needed no one to tell me that she was an Omega like the rest of them, maybe not too lowly, just a little favoured. Her clothing spoke of it; although she was still wearing a maid's attire, it looked a little different from what the rest of them were wearing, and I could tell she was a little higher than them—maybe th
Asher Right in the dining room with my sister Akira, the table was filled with a spread of dishes. As I settled on the chair with Akira, ready for dinner, her voice broke into the thoughts that had gotten me busy. "Why are you looking so excited this evening? Is there any good news?" She asked, her eyes flicking from my face to her plate. My lips curled upwards as her words settled in my heart: "Yes, there's good news." I responded with a matching intensity, and I felt her gaze on me. But before she could ask another question, I swiftly added, "I'm expecting someone special," I said at the same time gesturing towards Akira's fat maid to serve the appetisers. Almost immediately, she began serving the meatballs, and when she was done, she stepped backwards, standing beside Akira at a considerable distance. "Hm!" Akira's voice dropped with surprise. "The last time I heard a thing like that was how many years ago..." Akira trailed off and tapped her fingers on the table
Royce"You should still be careful, Royce; apart from Asher, you also have the pack to worry about." My mother's words broke into my thoughts, snapping me back to the present. I turned towards her, my brows furrowing as I began to wonder what she meant by that, and before I could say a word, her voice came again. "The pack might not support you," she said calmly.Her words had hit on my fraying nerves even as the weight of their betrayal settled on my shoulders, but my mother wasn't done speaking."Every one of them believes that your father was evil and sentimental for trying to overthrow his brother," she said, her voice edged with worry. Her eyes glinting with concern.Her words ignited the anger that had been swirling within me, and my hands shot out with a fierce intensity, pointing towards the palace again."Evil?" I asked, my lips and chins quivering with restrained fury, "Then they are all dumb for thinking that way. Maybe they were bribed by Asher's evil father, which was wh
RoyceWith a fierce determination, I left Asher's office that evening. Spending the whole day with him wasn't just torturing but degrading as well, yet I had to put up with his insults and humiliation. "You're back already." My mother's voice broke into my head as I stepped into the living room that evening. I turned towards the kitchen where she had emerged from to find her staring at me with a warm smile on her face. Finally, I could rip off the mask I had been wearing for a whole day and be myself. I could be who I was without having to pretend to be so submissive and address him with the honorifics he never deserved. "Mother, how long am I going to put up with this nonsense?" I asked my voice a rough growl that echoed the anger brewing inside of me as I allowed the words to flow from my heart. I had been keeping it in all through the day, but being right in my own space, I had no reason to do that anymore. "Royce, what is going on?" My mother asked, her brows furrow
XenraUpon hearing her words, my curled-up lips gradually spread into a wide, empty smile, and I slowly nodded my head twice."Of course!" I exclaimed with my eyes popping open in a feigned excitement, "I'm your friend." My smile grew as I attempted to make it as real as possible.At my words, she reciprocated my gesture, grinning widely this time around. I could tell she was so excited about it, but if only she knew who I was, she'd have understood why I couldn't be friends with her.Although I wasn't a proud person, how could I, Xenra—the most dreaded, respected, and beautiful vampire queen—be friends with a lowly Omega—a lowly slave at that?I snorted at the absurdity of it. 'I could be in a lowly, despicable skin, but that doesn't mean I had forgotten who I was and am, and for someone like Zara, ewww! That's not possible,' I affirmed within me.Although I treat everyone right, that is the least I wanted for myself."When I was coming, I heard the maids talking about the fat, proud
XenraMy heart skipped a beat as those words met my ears. I was shocked to find Zara standing by the door with her hands folded in front of her, and before she could say another word to me, I asked her, "How long have you been standing there?" My words tumbled out in a rush as I stared at her with my eyes wide open. I couldn't afford to be heard, not when I had spoken about my days as the vampire queen."Well, not so long," she answered calmly with a small shoulder shrug, "but long enough to know that you've been crying and talking to the moon goddess," she added, and as soon as I heard her words, my heart began to race as a great pang of uneasiness dropped in my heart. 'Does it mean she just heard everything I said?' I reasoned within me, causing my eyes to bulge as I rolled them in thought.No, that wouldn't do. After about five seconds, I snapped out of the thoughts that had gotten me busy: "Did you hear what I was telling the moon goddess?" My question tumbled out in a rush, bea
XenraFinally, after a busy day, my first day as a maid to Akira came to an end. I followed the rest of the maids to the room allocated to us. While the rest of them remained outside, I went straight to the room assigned to me.I screwed my eyes and puffed out a long breath as I realised it was finally rest time.As I opened my eyes, the sight of the room allocated to me left my mouth open."What is this?" I asked no one exactly as my eyes travelled around the worst room I had ever seen in my life—or maybe one I had never imagined existed.The tiny room held two tiny beds that consumed half of the space. The walls stood bare with cracks and holes in them, a testament to the decades of its existence.I lifted my eyes to the ceiling to find larger cracks and holes, and my jaw dropped further. Right then, it dawned on me that places like that did exist.The only white curtain in the room that hung down the window had worn out as well, and I began to wonder how a place like that still exi
Asher "Alpha, what do you think?" Royce's voice broke into my thoughts. Despite the perceived audacity, the fact that he was now stuttering calmed me down. Besides, I needed to consider his words to ascertain for myself what was true about the news. "It's not true," I answered after about ten seconds had passed. "It's a rumour," I added, my gaze fixed intently in space as lines began to connect in my head. Royce's brows furrowed upon hearing my words, his confusion evident on his face. I knew he was confused about why I was so certain about it being not true. Maybe he had forgotten she was my ex, and if anyone should know much about her, that should be me. All through the years, we were together, I got to know about who she was, her schemes and preferences, and I've learnt to see beneath the seeming cloud of clarity, beneath which lay deceit and lies. Although Royce couldn't get himself to say another word, I could see the struggle written all over him. I could fe
AsherAs I walked straight to my office that day, my sister's words kept popping up in my head. My steps quickened as I made haste to get myself busy with the task piled up for that day, a subtle distraction from the words that wouldn't let me be.I had just settled in my armchair and was about to get busy when the knock on the door came. I needed no one to tell me who it was."Enter," I answered, and almost immediately, the door opened, revealing Royce, who had come to discuss the outcome of his scouting of the borders."Greetings, Alpha," Royce said with a light bow. Without waiting for another word, he settled in the armchair opposite me in a relaxed and comfortable manner, causing my brows to furrow and twitch, and before I could react to the perceived disrespect, his words came again."You wouldn't believe what I just heard, Alpha," he began, his tone dripping with enticement, but then I needed to address something.Royce seemed to have forgotten his boundaries again. As my Beta,
Xenra "Keep your mouth shut!" One of them yelled in response as they enclosed me in a circle. "What? Are you scared now,huh? Weren't you so proud and haughty? Have you suddenly thrown away your ability?" The second in command said, her tone dripping with mockery as she stared at me with her brows raised quizzically. If only they knew I was considering them, "Who do you think you are? You must think you're one mighty one that should be respected or reverenced. You're just new here, and you're already creating enemies for yourself." One of them quickly added, "Did you really think we would let you go after you did that to Isabella?" One of them asked, As soon as I heard their words, I couldn't stop myself from laughing—a loud, rich chuckle that bore the weight in my heart. No, I wasn't amused a bit; it was only a warning for them to back off. There was only much insult I could accept, and they were clearly hitting on my fraying wrath. "I don't want trouble," I an