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
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
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
XenraReluctantly, I had apologised to him; if it were deemed fit that I should, I wouldn't have, not after he had addressed my mistake in the most degrading way ever. Beside, if he hadn't insulted me, I wouldn't have lost my composure.Asher was as rude as ever; no matter how I thought about it, I still couldn't see what had warranted those insults from him. His words had stirred up anger within me and had evoked memories of our past.Even as I stood there, I kept telling myself that leaving him was one of the best decisions I made. I was still lost in my thoughts when his angry voice broke into my head."What are you still waiting for? Get out from here!" He ordered, his voice a deep growl like a wounded beast. His words snapped me off my thoughts, and I turned toward him to find him staring at me with a tight face."Brother," Akira's urgent voice came almost immediately, even before I could take a bow. "Brother, you're just being paranoid for no reason," I heard her say as I began
Xenra"Let's go have breakfast," Zara's voice rang with excitement as soon as she finished making her bed."Breakfast?" I asked as her words settled in my heart, "I'm not going," I swiftly added, my brows furrowing at the thought of what would be served to us."Really? It seems you had quite enough to eat from the Alpha's table last night," Zara teased, her tone dripping with a mix of mockery and surprise as she stared at me with anticipation glinting in her eyes."Oh, don't speak of it!" I expressed, rolling my eyes as I quickly dismissed every emerging thought of what had transpired the previous night.Zara, at my words, chuckled; she seemed to have understood how difficult it was, tending to that routless monster of an Alpha."So let's go have breakfast before you end up having nothing to eat at all this morning," she urged as she reached out for my hands. Her words made me scoff in disbelief, as if not having breakfast wasn't far better than the rubbish being served to us."I wou
Xenra"Oh, you're really lucky then, because everybody I had worked with had treated me cruelly," she stated, the sternness that had plagued her voice, gradually giving way for understanding.But just when I had started to believe it had died down, her voice came again: "So tell me, which of the Alphas did you work for, that was so benevolent to help you?" She asked, her words laced with interest as enthusiasm gleamed in her eyes. Her words struck me instead, and for the next three seconds I was both shocked and dumbfounded. Although I had known that was coming, I never expected it so soon, and at that instant, I couldn't wrap my head around whom to mention."Oh," I chuckled after I snapped out of my daze, "Alpha em..." I began, and right there my mind was already running around the globe as I tried to think of any other Alpha I had heard about, apart from that heartless Asher.But the more I tried, the more I realised that I had not paid attention to the rest of them, apart from Ash
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