LeoRight in my chambers that evening, I couldn't stop wondering why Lena had excused herself earlier, shortly after we had just finished talking about Asher.Although I had earlier believed she didn't blow her cover, I just couldn't shake off the nudge at the depth of my heart that something was amiss."No, I need to make sure everything is still in order," I said to myself as I sprang up to my feet.Without a second thought, I marched towards Lena's room, and after the second knock, she asked me to come in."Hey Leo, what's up?" She asked, with a small smile on her face after she had opened the door."Nothing much, dear sister; you've been gone for some days. I just wanted to know how it all went with you and your MATE." I answered emphatically, after which I snorted in derision."So tell me, how was the visit?" I asked as I settled into her throne chair, spreading my legs beside each side of the backrest.Lena's lips at my words curled upwards into a small smirk, "Like I told you e
LeoAs if Lena could trace my thoughts, she placed her hand on my shoulder, "Easy, brother. Everything is in order." She said calmly.At her words, I snapped back to the present and realised my fists were tightly clenched. Right there, it dawned on me that I had given in to the hatred, deeply seated in my heart.My lips curled upwards, an attempt to assure her that I was fine, even though deep within me, I was seething with fury.After about ten seconds had passed, I recalled we were talking about Asher's real mate before I had lost it, and in that instant, something dropped in my heart."About Fredrick's daughter..." I began, causing Lena to turn towards me, "I'm sure you left no trail." I stated.My words made Lena's brows furrow as confusion etched on her face, "What do you mean?" She asked, her voice a total contrast to the expression on her face."I mean... Fredrick might notice sooner than later that she's missing, and he might trace it to you," I said, my calm voice belaying th
AsherFor the first time ever, I sat at the dining table alone. Akira had sent a maid to tell me she had no appetite for the meal.Never had it happened before. "None of this would have happened if not for that fat pig of a maid!" I muttered under my breath, still reeling from the news I had received from her maid.As I sat there alone, I couldn't even touch the meal. I had hoped we could put aside our differences during the meal.I was going to do everything I could to make sure we returned to the way we had always been, but Akira didn't show up.I paced back and forth across the dining space with my hands folded behind me. Deep within me, I couldn't stop cursing that sack of bones, who was responsible for the rift between me and my sister.After about fifteen seconds of brooding over my anger, I knew I had to do something. Five minutes passed, and I was lost in deep calculations, searching for a way forward. Suddenly, a thought popped up in my mind, and my eyes glinted at the sight
XenraWait! Did I just become Asher's maid? The last thing I wanted was to be close to him, especially not as his maid. I needed no one to tell me how he'd make my life miserable due to his hatred for me."No, I have to do something," I muttered under my breath."Excuse me, Alpha!" I called out to Asher, who was now standing with his hands resting on his waist.At my words he turned towards me, and for the first time ever I saw sadness in his eyes.'What is wrong with him?' I wondered within me. That wasn't my concern anyway; since I had called his attention, I had to press forward with what I wanted to say."It's not like I'm trying to question your authority, Alpha," I began as calmly as I could. "But I honestly think the people who are supposed to be closer to you are your male servant, not a female servant." I stated, keeping my tone low and levelled.At my words, Asher's brows creased into an obvious frown. His anger clearly evident, despite his stoic expression.I had expected
Xenra"Xenra! Xenra!" Zara's persistent call snapped me out of dreamland that day.My eyes screwed tighter as I struggled to snap off my grogginess."What?" I answered lazily; at the same time, I slowly opened my eyes to find out that the room was shining brightly.It was clear I had slept in. After a long day being confined in the dungeon and the drill I was forced to undergo with the male bodyguards the previous night, I felt like I hadn't had enough sleep."It's day already; we were so tired," Zara said. I turned towards her to find her dressed already and ready for a new day. "Go get ready, else you'll be late." Zara's voice came again, dripping with concern as she stared at me with furrowed brows.The worry etched on her face revealed the concern deeply seated in her heart for me.I wanted to say, 'Who cares?' I was tired of pushing on already. I really wanted to lay in my bed all day, but the thought of incurring Asher's wrath and giving him the slightest reason to make my li
AsherAkira's silence during breakfast that morning made me feel depressed. It had been two whole days already, and the rift between us had only grown wider.Given that I had said things I didn't want to say the previous night to Akira, I didn't know how to initiate a conversation with her.She didn't even give me any attention as she focused on her meal as though I didn't exist.I saw the hurt etched on her face as she ate her meal quietly. As soon as she was done eating, she stood up and bowed to me. Without saying a word to me, she walked back to her room.The fact that she was now paying respects to me pierced my heart. I had long since stopped her from paying reverence to me, but after what I said to her the previous night, she never stopped paying her respect every time we met. I got back to my room and paced back and forth in my room space. "This can't go on!" I muttered under my breath, my words bearing the weight of the anger in my heart."I need to end this somehow!" I res
Asher"You assigned such a task to a female servant, while you have many male servants who are capable enough to perform them," Akira said, her voice rising in a simmering anger."How is it reasonable that you're asking my personal maid to feed your horses?" She asked, her voice tight with fury.My lips curled upwards, and a snort of amusement escaped my nostrils."She's now a guard in my mansion, dear sister, no longer your personal maid," I answered with a calm and steady voice as I turned towards Akira, who was glaring at me."As a guard in my mansion, she could be assigned to do anything I want, as long as I want her to. How's that a problem?" I threw my question at her.I wanted to remind her that even Xenra's life was at my mercy, and that even though I hadn't taken Xenra's life because of Akira's affection for her, I could still do whatever I want with her, anything at all that would make her life miserable.I had pushed Akira to a place where she would realize that the only op
XenraMy steps were heavy with determination as I ran back to the room that morning. My eyes welled up with tears as I focused on getting into my room, and as I drew closer, the tears fell off my eyes like broken beads.As soon as I shut the door behind me, my sob grew heavier. I was so overwhelmed and couldn't hold back anymore.I hated how Asher was making me look like a fool in the presence of everyone. He had completely humiliated me and had never passed up any opportunity to get back at me. I knew I was caught in the middle of their clash of power and was only the tool on which he vented his anger.As soon as I got to my bed space, I crumbled to the floor and buried my face in my bed as I cried my heart out while Zara rushed towards me."Is this how Omegas are being used as tools in this pack?" I cried out, "They're really sufferings; I don't think I can do this anymore." "Xenra, it's okay; I beg you. Stop crying, please," Zara said as she placed her hands on my shoulders as sh
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