Xenra My lips curled upwards, and satisfaction twinkled in my eyes, even though deep within me, I was still angry. "Did you see that?" One of the maids' voices snapped me out of the anger that had settled in my heart. "I haven't seen anything like that before," one of them replied. The shock and surprise written on their faces was undeniable. Some had their eyes wide open, while others had their jaws dropped. Some of them had both their eyes and mouth wide open. I could tell they were both terrified and surprised. Right then, it replayed in my mind how she had spun around twice before crashing helplessly on the floor, and something struck me—is it that I didn't lose some of my vampire's ability? My question rang in my head. At that instant, I felt the force I had added to the slap, and it seemed to me that I still had some of my abilities left in me. In my previous life, I had avoided hitting people because of the force buried in my palms. I had always been af
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
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,
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
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
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
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
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
AsherAt my words, the physician heaved a sigh, and then he took two steps closer to me."Alpha!" His voice came gently. "For the past three years you've had this crisis; it has always taken a toll on you," he said, his voice tinged with concern."I'm sorry to say this, but I'm sure you can remember we even had to lock you up in an empty room so that you wouldn't hurt yourself or those around you." As he spoke, he gestured with his hands, as though he was saying, 'You know I'm right!'Although the physician spoke calmly, his words stirred something else within me. Gradually, I began to succumb to the feelings that accompanied them and the memories of the years past that they brought along.At that moment, my gaze turned inward as memories from those painful years began to stroll past me. Every single one of them left trails of sadness in their wake. Three years ago was the beginning of one of the most lonely and painful years of my life. Even after my breakup with the vampire queen
/-ASHER-/"Brother, you know he's telling the truth." Akira's voice was tense and urgent as she spoke, panic flickering across her face.At her words, I chuckled, the sound of which rang with emptiness."What truth are you talking about?" I asked, my question dripping with incredulity as my eyes darted from Akira's face to the physician's, in anticipation of the response that would prove me wrong.No matter how hard I thought about it, I just couldn't fathom why they were overreacting. As far as I knew, it was nothing to be so frantic about.As soon as the words left my lips, Akira responded, "Brother, you know so well how dangerous and severe it gets in that season of your life and how careful you need to be." She said, her tone laced with disbelief as if she was trying to say, 'You're supposed to know that!'As if that wasn't enough, she pressed on, "If truly the season is upon you again, then you really have to reconsider your plans of leaving the pack." She strongly advised, her
ASHER.My thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Elder Ambrose, who cleared his throat to seek my attention.As soon as I turned to face him, he began to speak, "Umm, Alpha," he said as calmly as he could, with an awkward smile on his face."What Elder Bernard is trying to say is this: for someone as merciless as the vampire queen, we're afraid she wouldn't hesitate to wage war against us if..." He was still speaking when I swiftly interrupted him."So, are you asking me to relinquish our authority to her?" I questioned in a stern voice.At my words, the both of them quickly lowered their heads. "We dare not, Alpha." They responded in unison, and after about five more seconds, Elder Ambrose's voice came again, "We are not asking that you give up our pack to a stranger; we're only asking you to put every possibility into consideration." He pressed on while Elder Bernard nodded his head.Despite his effort to keep his voice steady, the fear underlying it was unmistakable. As for the pac
Asher.The news of the vampire queen's visit had spread like wildfire throughout the pack, stirring rumours and unease among my pack members.It was due to the growing uneasiness that I had summoned my two most trusted elders and the pack's physician. I knew I had to alleviate the pack's anxiety, and since I was determined to safeguard my territory, I decided to share my thoughts with them."I'm sure you've all heard about the vampire queen's outrageous request." I stated as soon as they settled into their seats."Yes, Alpha!" The three of them chorused. Their voices tinged with scepticism."Alpha, I must confess that my heart has never been at peace ever since she came to our pack. I'm glad you've called for this meeting." It was Elder Ambrose who spoke, and from the tone of his voice, I needed no one to tell me he was being careful with his words."Good!" I said with a steady voice. "Now, that's why I've called the three of you here today, to inform you of what I've planned to do."
ISABELLAAs soon as they left, I felt my anger simmering within me, causing my fists to clench tightly beside me."I've been working in the palace for a long time now, and the Alpha had never noticed me, but this Xenra that came in a few months ago has been favoured by both the princess and the Alpha." I reasoned.As my thoughts stretched on, my lips twisted in fury, and my gaze drifted into space.As I stood there brooding over my wrath, I felt a rising determination within me, and a great sense of urgency surged within me. My mind began to race with calculations."If this continues, the Alpha might as well make her the chief maiden someday." The words dropped into my heart, and my eyes bulged.Right there, I knew I had to do something, as I couldn't afford to let that happen. My fists clenched tighter, and I nibbled on my lip as I sought what to do."There's no way I'd sit still and watch Xenra steal my place right under my nose." I resolved within me.I needed no one to tell me tha
ISABELLAAs I stepped into the kitchen, my attention was immediately drawn to the two maids on the other side, who were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice my presence.I had wanted to sanction them for neglecting their chores and indulging in gossip until one of them said something that halted me in my tracks."No, Christy, she's lucky and privileged." Her words made my brows draw together, and I began to wonder who they were talking about.I carefully trailed my steps and took cover behind the shelves in an attempt to keep my presence hidden, and since I was still close to them, I heard the first one speak again."How can you say she isn't fortunate when, within a short time of her arrival, she started working for the Alpha as his personal maid?" She asked, her voice tight and certain."She hasn't even spent up to three months in the pack, and she's already been promoted to work closely with the Alpha." Her words dripped with hatred as she complained, and I s
RoyceI was still trying to get myself to say something to my mother when her voice came again."Why would you even think of such a thing? Have you forgotten that Xenra and the Alpha are ex-lovers?" The disbelief she had felt echoed in her tone as she spoke."I know, mother, how could I forget a thing like that?" I responded, even though I wasn't expecting an answer from her.Seeing the worry on her face etching deeper, I quickly continued."Mother, I know what you're concerned about, but you have to trust me; I won't act recklessly." I urged, my words dripping calmly as I stared at her."This looks reckless already, Royce!" She quickly answered."Why would you even consider a thing like that? How could you think the vampire queen would agree to work with us to take down the alpha?" She questioned, her strained voice ringing with anxiety.From the look on her face, it was clear she was frightened already, and I knew I had to assure her and put her mind at ease."The thing is, I'm not
Royce"My son!" My mother's voice rang with excitement as I returned back to my home after five days of being away.I could see a great sense of relief dawning on her as she stared at me, and I needed no one to tell me she had never been at peace ever since I left."Mother, I'm back." I responded with a smile on my face to assure her that she had nothing to worry about."Yes, my son," she answered, nodding her head fervently, and fell into my embrace as I drew her in. "It's so nice to have you back." Her voice came again in a soft whisper."You don't know how worried I've been." She stated, her words breathy, wrapped in the relief she had felt from my presence.I broke the embrace, and my smile broadened as I stared into her eyes."You worry too much, Mother," I said with a broad smile on my face."See," I gestured with my other hand for her to take a good look at me. "I'm fine." My words were wrapped with a chuckle as I assured her, while she nodded her head again as her smile broade
VAMPIRE QUEEN"Have you heard?" One of the guards standing by the entrance door asked his neighbor. His small voice caught my attention, and I turned towards them."What?" The other one responded, his voice tinged with curiosity as he turned towards the one who had just spoken.At that instant I began to walk towards them, gently trailing my steps not to attract their attention.As I got closer, I heard the first one say, "It has happened again. Last night." His words tumbled out in a hushed rush.The other one's mouth flew open at his words, and since I was already close by, I could see how wide his eyes were.Their words stung, and my lips twisted in a simmering rage. I had made up my mind never to tolerate any form of gossip, as I didn't want anyone to say any sort of rubbish about me.I needed no one to tell me whatever they were talking about had something to do with me, especially since they said it happened the previous night, and I wasn't going to spare them.'I would teach th