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
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
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
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
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."
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. "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, h
Asher At 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 th
Royce"Just wait and see what I'm about to do." I answered, my voice firm and steady, echoing the firm determination that had completely overwhelmed me.Without waiting for another second, I turned towards one of the guards, who was standing at his post some steps away from us, and called, "Number four!" My voice, bouncing off the space.In that instant, number four turned, and with a matching intensity, he ran towards me. He halted at a considerable distance and bowed his head. "Yes, my Lord," he answered."Go get me the Chief Slave Officer!" I ordered with a firm voice."Yes, my Lord," he answered, took another bow, and with the same haste he arrived with, he ran out of my sight."What are you really planning to do?" Sylvester's question broke into the fog of determination that had surrounded me, his voice tinged with a mix of surprise and curiosity."I'm going to do what I ought to have done all this while," I answered, my jaw clenched, a reflection of the fierce determination burn
Royce."Still thinking about it?" Sylvester's voice sliced into the thoughts that had gotten me busy, snapping me back to the present.I turned to find him standing behind me, and from the expression on his face, I could tell he was satisfied with how I had handled the situation.I pulled my gaze from him and said, "I'm suspicious of that lady." My voice mirrored the certainty in my heart."Which lady?" Sylvester swiftly asked, his voice as surprised as the expression on his face.But it was clear he wasn't really asking because he didn't know who I was talking about, as he continued almost immediately, "You mean Xenra?" Disbelief coating his tone.I totally ignored his disbelief. Deep within me, I was certain about what I said; I knew there was something more about her, even though I just couldn't wrap my fingers around it."There's something about her," I continued in a firm voice, "Although I just can't place it, I can tell she's not ordinary. She's more than what we've seen." I vo
RoyceThe gazes of everyone were heavy on me, waiting for the verdict that would convict her of the accusation.Deep within me, I felt it was a perfect opportunity to remove the perceived threat to my path of revenge, and I knew I shouldn't let it slip through my fingers.I was still pondering how to go about it, when Sylvester's facial gesture caught my attention. As I fixed my gaze on him, he tilted his head from side to side and back, and I understood that he was asking for an audience.Before I could get to my feet, he began to walk away, while I stood up and followed him to a secluded corner."What are you trying to do?" He asked me as soon as I stood beside him. Without waiting for my response, he continued, "Are you planning on telling the Alpha about it?" His voice was tinged with a mix of surprise and curiosity."Of course!" I swiftly replied, my voice firm and steady, echoing the firm determination that had settled in my heart.As far as I knew, I shouldn't miss the opportun
RoyceThe gazes of everyone were heavy on me, waiting for the verdict that would convict her of the accusation.Deep within me, I felt it was a perfect opportunity to remove the perceived threat to my path of revenge, and I knew I shouldn't let it slip through my fingers.I was still pondering how to go about it, when Sylvester's facial gesture caught my attention. As I fixed my gaze on him, he tilted his head from side to side and back, and I understood that he was asking for an audience.Before I could get to my feet, he began to walk away, while I stood up and followed him to a secluded corner."What are you trying to do?" He asked me as soon as I stood beside him. Without waiting for my response, he continued, "Are you planning on telling the Alpha about it?" His voice was tinged with a mix of surprise and curiosity."Of course!" I swiftly replied, my voice firm and steady, echoing the firm determination that had settled in my heart.As far as I knew, I shouldn't miss the opportun
Xenra"What worked?" Zara's voice broke into the fog of excitement that had surrounded me, her words laced with curiosity.Without waiting for another second, I turned towards the path, determined to rush back to the room and check the book that had unsealed that power.I wanted to begin my search for answers and investigation on what to do as soon as possible.I had only taken two steps from where I stood when I saw three elite wolves walking towards me, which halted me in my tracks.The smile on my face froze immediately, and just then I realized that every single person present in the field was staring at me.As my gaze darted to their faces, I saw the fear in their eyes. Some of them even had their jaws dropped and eyes wide open.They seemed not to have recovered from the shock they had felt.My gaze fell on the hefty guard who was still struggling to get up from where he had landed, but as soon a
XenraIsabella came to a halt before me, her girls clustering behind her, while Zara drew closer to me.Then a short, empty laugh escaped her throat, after which she began to speak."So you think you can escape my hook after embarrassing me the last time, huh?" She said, her voice dripping with mockery.She had a smirk on her face as she stared at me with a mix of excitement and determination glinting in her eyes.Without waiting for me to say something, she pressed on, "I've been waiting for you, and now I've seen the perfect time to deal with you." Her words tumbled out in a rush."I'm so going to make your life miserable so that when you see me next time, you'd be afraid of me." She glared at me, her words heavy with hatred as she spoke.From where I stood, I could hear Zara's ragged breathing and the fear flickering in her eyes, and I understood she was scared—scared of them, scared of what they had planned to do to us.But there was no iota of fear in me, nor did I flinch at all
Vampire QueenI puffed out a deep breath as soon as I closed the door behind me, and then I sighed in relief as the weight of fear gradually lifted off my shoulders."That was close, so close!" I muttered to myself, my voice breathy as I dwelled on how I had almost embarrassed myself.As I walked towards my bed, Hannah swiftly jumped down from the bed and rushed towards me. "Goodness," she exclaimed. "That guy is really cute." Her voice bubbling with cheerfulness as she closed up the distance between us, the excited glint in her eyes was unmistakable.It was her words that snapped me out of the thoughts that had kept me busy, and I couldn't help but join in her infectious excitement."Yeah!" I answered, nodding my head in agreement to what she had just said."I have to admit, Hannah, Xenra really has an eye for cute things," I admitted with a matching intensity. "Even Asher is so cute and enchanting.""The vampire queen really enjoyed herself because these guys are so hot," I giggled
LenhandroMy heart was greatly uneasy as I journeyed from my pack to Maltos' Castle. Although I hadn't lost my confidence, I couldn't help thinking about the possible probabilities.Among all the questions swirling within me, one thought was deeply seated in my heart: what would Xenra's reaction be?The more I tried to figure it out, and the more I tried to reconcile Xenra's character to her possible reaction, the more I felt greatly disturbed.I was faced with an insurmountable mountain, not sure of what lay ahead of me, but one thing I was sure about was the fact that I was going to end her life again."You were lucky the first time, Xenra, but you won't be lucky this time around!" I muttered beneath my breath, my lips curling upwards with a fierce determination.After a while, I snapped out of the thoughts that had kept me busy and turned towards my brother, Randy, and personal assistant, Jerome, who were both on the horses beside my chariot."When we get to Maltos' Castle," I bega
LenhandroMy hands were folded behind me as I stared at the throne where I had once occupied. After a very long time, I was back to my pack, and as I fixed my gaze upon it, I felt a renewed sense of energy coursing through my veins.The emerging figure of Jerome walking towards his post caught my attention, but he wasn't the gallant, ever-ready Jerome I had always known.He was reduced to a mere shadow of himself, trembling all over like a weakling, with his fingers held beneath his stomach. He couldn't even meet my gaze.After a while of staring at him, I tore my gaze away from him and fixed it back on my golden throne, with its soft white cushion and lion-head armchair.As I pondered my next course of action, my brother Randy's voice rang out from behind me, "Brother!" He called, his voice ringing with excitement.As the soft thud on the wooden floor drew closer, I turned towards him, a broad smile clearly plastered on his face."I've missed you so much, brother!" Randy exclaimed, h