LeoI stood beside the window in my room, admiring the beauty of the garden on the other side of the courtyard, when my door suddenly burst open.I needed no one to tell me who it was, since he was the only one who could enter my room even without an invitation.Before I could turn around to meet Raymond, his voice came, "Alpha, Alpha, there's trouble," he announced with a breathy voice. From the urgency in his voice, I knew that whatever it was that had gotten him so panicked was really trouble.My brows furrowed when I saw the look on his face. "What is the matter?" I asked, trying to figure out whatever it was that had gotten him so worked up."The vampire queen is here! Xenra is here; she's right in the courtyard!" He announced with his eyes wide open in fright. His voice tumbled out in a rush as he stared at me.My eyes flew open immediately, and my heart skipped a beat. That was quite unexpected. For the next five seconds, my mouth hung open, unable to utter a word.Talking abou
Leo That was quite unexpected. Her question slammed into me, leaving me calm and collected. Even though my mind was far from being at peace, I managed to betray no emotions. My mind reeled with countless thoughts, and for the next five seconds, I couldn't utter a word. I opened my mouth to say something, but my words felt stuck in my throat, and as I struggled, her question came again, "So?" She asked, her brows arched in a quizzical stare. At that instant, my gaze fell on the carriage she had come with, and I noticed she wasn't alone. She had come with not just ordinary vampires but an entourage of elite warriors. Their build and height alone were already a source of intimidation for the faint-hearted. As I stared on, I realised they were a mix of both vampires and werewolves. At that moment, I realised I had to be careful. "My lady, I don't have to make a decision now. Can you give me some days to think about it and get back to you?" I asked as calmly as I could. Judging fr
Leo "What should we do about this situation, Alpha?" Raymond asked, his voice tinged with concern. I took a deep breath, steadying myself before responding, "For now, we wait. That woman isn't Xenra. I would know; I had a crush on her before we became enemies. There was something about her charm, her charisma, that stole my heart long ago." "Alpha, forgive my bluntness, but whether that woman is Xenra or not, our primary concern should be our safety," Raymond said, his voice quivering with fear. "She looks deadly, and if she returns, I doubt she'll have mercy on us." I didn't respond, my eyes trained on the departing figures of Xenra and her men. "The true Vampire Queen doesn't demand respect through force. She earns it," I muttered to myself. "This person isn't Xenra. Something is amiss." My words hung heavy in the air, my resolve steeling with every passing second. If that woman was not Xenra, then who was she? And, more importantly, where was the true Vampire Queen? "Raymond,
Asher The door to my office suddenly burst open, and my head jerked from the document I was holding to the door; before I could say anything, her voice came. "Is it true that the vampire queen is visiting?" She asked, her tone ringing with excitement as she stared at me. My brows furrowed at her words; it turned out that she had come to my office all because of Xenra. For the next five seconds, I couldn't say a word to her. "Really? The vampire queen is visiting? She asked, and without waiting for another second, she exclaimed with a shrill, high-pitched voice, "Oh my goodness! I'm so excited!" Her eyes dancing with excitement as she took quick, short steps into my office. It turned out that she had come all the way to my office just because of Xenra. "There's nothing to be excited about," I swiftly stated with a stern voice, my face betraying no emotion. Since I got the news about her visit, I had been wondering why she had decided to visit my pack after twelve good years of b
XenraAs I emerged from the other side of the palace, my attention was suddenly drawn to two maids, who mentioned my name, "Who?" One of them said, causing my brows to furrow."Xenra, the vampire queen," The other one responded. They were busy discussing among themselves.At their words, my curiosity piqued, and I began to wonder what they were talking about, but before I could try to wrap my head around whatever it was, the other one spoke again,"You mean she's coming?" She asked, her tone ringing with surprise, her eyes wide open in shock.From between the flower rows, I saw the other one nod her head in response, while my brows twitched. As I couldn't understand what they meant by the vampire queen coming to Asher's pack."Everyone is so frightened right now, because the last time she came, it didn't end well between her and the Alpha. Now, no one knows what to expect from her visit. Everyone is talking about it and is really scared," she stated with a hushed tone that sounded bar
XenraThe slap stung, and my cheek burned. I finally regained myself, and my lips twisted with rage. With two determined steps, I advance towards Rossy, my anger burning within me like a wildfire.I was going to teach her a lesson she'd never forget in a hurry. I was going to make sure she never laid her filthy hands on anyone.I had just taken the second step when Minni held my hair and dragged me back towards her. I felt a piercing pain on my scalp, and before I could turn towards her, Rossy punched me hard on my protruded stomach.I bent at my waist, my knees buckling as I succumbed to the pain the blow had inflicted on me. I clutched my stomach tightly as I tried to soothe the pain, but those two demons weren't satisfied."We're going to teach you a lesson you'd never forget in a hurry," Minni spat, her voice heavy with a mix of hatred and anger.With one more kick from Rossy, I fell to my butt like a sack. Before I knew what was happening, they punched and kicked me, and on every
Asher"The vampire queen is arriving!" The voice of the guard rang out from outside the hall.Immediately, I drew in a deep breath and silently puffed it out to steer myself for the upcoming conversation. I had already anticipated her pride and arrogance and had prepared myself to put her in check.I, along with Royce, my beta, and a few of the elite wolves, walked toward the entrance of the hall to receive Xenra, whom I hadn't met in a very long time."The vampire queen has arrived!" The guard announced again, and as I saw her who was seated on the chariot, I felt a mix of emotions settling in my heart. But I quickly shoved them aside since I knew she had only come as a guest.One of her guards helped her down the chariot and led her toward the entrance where we stood.My brows furrowed as I noticed she wasn't walking like the Xenra I had always known.Xenra never walked with her hands swinging beside her like a commoner would; she always had her hands held together in her stomach, he
AsherI needed no one to tell me how much Xenra liked Akira. She was so fond of her and would never ask her to leave her alone.Akira, at her words, quickly giggled, "I'm sorry about that; it's just that I've missed you so much," she stated, her words dripping with excitement."It's okay," Xenra responded, with a small smile on her face, and then sat back in her spot.Akira quickly drew the other chair closer to her, her face broadened with a wide smile."Oh, Xenra, you don't know how much I've missed you. How have you been? You're not looking any different, still the same, so beautiful and young," Akira's words tumbled out in a rush as she spoke."I've missed you too, Akira. I'll take that as a compliment." She stated, causing my brows to twitch.A compliment? Xenra never needed anyone to tell her how beautiful she was. She was so full of pride that she needed no acknowledgement from anyone.'What the hell has happened to her? That's so weird and unlike Xenra. How can someone change
RoyceMy fists clenched beside me as I watched the Alpha gradually regain his breath pace. Deep within me, I was seething; my teeth were gritted as I stared furiously at him.I wanted to kick and hit hard against the wall at his narrow escape from death's grip, but since I wasn't alone, I knew I had to keep my anger in."The Alpha needs to get some rest." It was the annoying fat Omega's voice that pierced through the fog of anger that had settled in my heart.If it were before, she would have been the one to excuse us, while I stayed watch over the Alpha, but at that moment, I saw it as an opportunity to slip out of his presence and let my anger out.'After all, who cares if anything happens to him while I'm away? It'd be an opportunity to get rid of two birds with one lucky opportunity.' I pondered within myself.With a small bow of my head towards the feeble Alpha whose face was beginning to bubble up with life again, I made my way out of his sight, my steps heavy with determination
XenraSince it was still early, I made my way into Maltos' palace in an attempt to get as much information as I could.I needed to get into my secret chambers before the guards assumed their various posts. I knew I had to do it discretely and not attract any attention to myself.As I casually walked towards the hallway that led to my secret library, I was deeply engrossed in the thoughts of conveying the secret book to the room given to me when I saw maids and guards running helter skelter in and out of the chamber that used to be mine.My curiosity piqued, and I swiftly walked towards one of the guards."Excuse me," I called his attention, which halted him in his tracks. "What is going on?" I asked the guard, who was already panting really hard."It's the Alpha; he's having his seizure, and nobody can help," his words tumbled out in one breath."The vampire queen can't help as well; he's..." He was still trying to catch his breath when I dashed into the room.I didn't need him to com
Asher.My eyes slowly opened to the brightness of a new day, and my vision gradually adjusted to the smiling face of the vampire queen, who was staring down at me."Are you okay?" I asked, my brows furrowing as I stared at her.At my words, she nodded her head fervently, and the smile on her face broadened."I am," she said. "I was just admiring your handsome face. I love how you were sleeping like a baby, the peace you exuded, the calmness." She chuckled."You were really good last night," she purred. "It has been a long time since I had such great sex." Her voice was filled with warmth as she basked in the afterglow of great sex.For about five seconds, I couldn't get myself to respond to her; the Xenra I knew had never complimented me before, no matter how good the sex was.She had always held onto her pride, demanding I admit to how good she was. This total reversal of hers was really weird.It was that realisation that left me speechless, but after about five seconds, I snapped o
AsherBefore I could get myself to say another word to her, she pressed on,"I know what that portrait is all about; I know it was me in my teens. I was only trying to pull your leg." She explained calmly, although the crease in her forehead spoke otherwise."Oh," I responded calmly, even though deep within me I was satisfied with what she had just said.As if she could read my thoughts, she continued, "Come on, Asher, it's been a while; I only wanted to have fun with you. You don't have to give me that serious look." She said, her words tinged with desperation.At her words, I forced a small smile to my face and said, "Yeah, I understand." Even though deep within me, I understood nothing.A cloud of silence descended upon us, and after about six seconds of not saying a word to each other, her voice came again."Anyways, let's talk about something else," she said. "How about your mate?"My brows twitched at her words, and I began to wonder what she was trying to do. "She's fine," I
Asher"Oh, that portrait?" The vampire queen responded with a smile on her face and placed her hand on the portrait as though she was admiring it.But from the glint in her eyes, she looked as if she was thinking about something, which made my brows crease slightly, and I began to wonder what was going on.Xenra would never hesitate to share the story she had always delighted in. It was one of the things she loved talking about, and even though she hardly expressed her emotions, the excited glint in her eyes whenever she shared that story always betrayed her stoic composure. As I sat calmly observing her reaction, my smile remained plastered on my face, even as I attempted to maintain a friendly air around us."Well, there's nothing really special about it, apart from the fact that it has always brought smiles to my face whenever I stare at it." She answered after about seven seconds had passed, her words wrapped in warmth, After which she pulled her head backwards and burst into la
AsherWe arrived in Maltos' Castle to find the vampire queen and her entourage waiting for us at the entrance of her mansion. As soon as I stepped down from the chariot, she walked towards me, "Asher!" She exclaimed, her eyes glinting with warmth,"What a pleasant surprise!" Her words were wrapped with warmth as we closed up the distance between us."I just wanted to surprise you, vampire queen." I answered in a matching intensity even though there was no smile on my face."I wasn't really happy you had to go through the stress of coming to my pack when you could have just given the orders, and I'd be there." I added calmly.At my words, the vampire queen's lips spread into a barely noticeable smile, which complimented the image of the Xenra I had in my head."That's so thoughtful of you," she responded calmly.I was still trying to accept the reflection of the old Xenra when the vampire queen took my hand and placed a tender kiss on the back of my palm.Her actions made my brows scr
Xenra"Please, Alpha, I'm so tired; I'm drained, there's no iota of strength left in me, and I'm about to faint." I pressed on, my voice breaking as I stared straight into Asher's eyes.But he stood there with his hands hanging on his waist, his forehead deeply furrowed in frustration, yet he didn't say a word to me.From the expression on his face, I didn't need anyone to tell me how angry he was, but then, I also knew he was doing his best to keep his anger in.But since he seemed unyielding to my pleas, I pressed further, despite the fact that he was seething. "Please, Alpha, can I just go back to the pack?" I asked again, "I don't want to be a burden to you anymore."But as soon as the words left my lips, he flared up, "Indeed! You won't just turn back and go to the pack; you'll turn back and go to the land of the dead, where you'd never return!" He stated, his voice heavy with anger, as his words tumbled out in a rush.His anger was clearly written on his face as he growled.At
XenraMy lips curled into a smirk as I watched Asher's Beta, Royce, climb into the chariot. Deep within me, I was glad my plan was working. As we continued our journey, I couldn't help but savour the fact that I had put up a good show."This is just the beginning," I muttered under my breath.As I dwelled in the euphoria of the moment, I resolved deep within myself to leave a lasting impression in the heart of Asher, for I was determined to get his attention and make him conscious of me.I wasn't going to relent in getting my way back into his life, and nothing would stop me from doing so.As I dwelled on it, I felt my blood boil with a fierce determination."By the time I've succeeded in finding my way back into your life, I'll get everything I want and leave you miserable." I whispered, my words heavy with determination.As I relished the satisfaction I was feeling, my mind began to race with calculations as I sought what else to do at that moment.I knew I had to utilise every opp
RoyceAs I watched the Alpha walk back to the chariot, I felt my chest tightening with wrath. The fact that he kept talking down on me in the presence of everything greatly infuriated me. My teeth gritted as I seethed, even as I pondered how long I had to endure his humiliation. As he got close to the chariot, I snapped out of my thoughts and swore within myself, 'Very soon I'd put an end to this nonsense.' As soon as he settled into the chariot, I pulled my gaze away from him to avoid letting my anger give me away.As I turned away from him, my gaze fell on the faces of the guards who were staring at me with pity on their faces, and I flared up."What the hell are you staring at? Get back to work!" I yelled at them, my voice bearing the weight of the anger brewing within me.At my words, they all dispatched like scared chicks to their various posts.At that moment, I whipped towards Xenra, who was still struggling to get herself up from the ground, and I flinched in anger."Will