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
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
Lena"Get your hands off me; I don't know what you're talking about!" I declared, my voice heavy with determination.I had realised that acknowledging his words would make it more difficult to execute the rest of the plans.So I knew I had to deny having anything to do with it. But Asher scoffed as soon as she heard my words.It seemed he had really laid his hands on a little evidence, but I was going to give him the satisfaction of finding out that he was right."Do you think you can fool me?" He scoffed, his eyes blazing with wrath. "You can't fool me!" "The only thing stopping me from sniffing out the breath from you right now is because I want to see how your brother and whoever he's coming with will be defeated; that's the only thing that's stopping me from squeezing the life out of you." He growled, his words tumbling out in a fierce intensity.His grip on my neck got a little tighter, but I managed to hold my ground. Deep within me, I knew if he continued like that, I'd surel
Asher Xenra's words dropped into my heart and filled me with a heightened sense of determination. But before I could get myself to respond to her, the trumpet sounded again. It was an indication that the enemies were already near, very close to our pack. As soon as I heard it, I fixed my gaze back on Xenra. "I promise you, I'll grant you that request," I said to her, my voice firm and urgent. "Brother!" Akira called, her voice desperate, laced with urgency as she stared at me, her heart banging hard against her ribcage in a mix of fear and urgency. The word had barely left my lips when Akira rushed into my arms again, and as I held her tightly in my embrace, I said to her and Damian, "There's no time to waste anymore; you should leave now." My voice rang with the urgency that had settled into my heart. In that instant, I pried her hands away from me and handed her to Damian, who quickly answered with a vibrant "yes, Alpha," and began to pull her towards the secret door, while A
AsherSuddenly, we heard the sound of the trumpet, the sound that has always called for the gathering of my troops.My eyes widened as the realisation of what was coming dawned on me, and I swallowed hard, knowing there was no more turning back.It was the announcement of war, an inevitable war that was about to erupt in my clan.That was the first time ever, another clan was invading my home; the first time they dared set their feet in my clan with their weapons, calling for a war.Xenra's head whipped towards me as the sound of the trumpet covered the whole of my territory.In that instant, I turned towards Xenra, whose gaze had never departed from me, and for the first time in a very long time, I felt a great sense of uncertainty settling within me."Okay," I said, my voice laced with emotions, "it's time for war." I heard myself say to her as though she didn't know what the sound meant.Even though I tried to maintain a calm facade, my heart kept banging hard against my ribcage. B
Xenra"I'm sure you know you can't relent now," I said to Asher as soon as I got to the window where he stood. "These people indirectly called for war.""I know," Asher swiftly replied, nodding his head. "I know," he repeated, a small frown on his face as he spoke."Lena's trying to poison me is already an indication that the war has started already." He added, his voice tight with annoyance."I'm ready; I'm ready for the war, and I'm going to make sure I deal with them just as they had wanted to do to my sister and me." The determination laced in his words was undeniable as he spoke, his gaze bored into space in a fierce intensity.His lips curled upwards as anger burnt within him, and I could see just how much he really wanted to consume his enemy in his burning wrath.His mood had greatly been affected by the shocking discovery; the fierce determination etched on his face was undeniable as he resolved to get back at them.But then, I knew he was yet to grasp the gravity of what he
LeoAs soon as the guard who had just whispered the news to me left, I turned towards Lenhandro, who was seated in the open patio with me."Good news," I announced, beaming. "We'll be attacking tonight. I have just received great news that my sister has successfully poisoned Asher, so it's time to carry out the finishing plan," I stated, my voice laced with excitement as I stared at him.I had expected Lenhandro to be as excited as I was, but his brows furrowed instead.He looked rather surprised than excited, "Are you certain about that?" He asked, the furrow on his brows etching deeper.As soon as I heard his words, a light chuckle broke out of my lips, coupled with his stunned expression, which only added to the excitement I was feeling inside."Asher is not just any other Alpha; I'm sure you know how meticulous and tough he could be. Are you sure he had really fallen for your sister's game?" He asked, his tone dripping with scepticism.As if that was enough, he continued, "What if
Asher Xenra's lips curled upwards as soon as she heard Akira's words, and she scoffed. The surprised look on her face gave way to a mix of calm and hurt. "If I wanted to hurt him," she began to say, "I wouldn't have wasted my time to come down here and tell you about their plans." She said, her voice, although calm and steady, oozed the hurt ingrained in it. "I would have allowed them to do whatever they wanted to do to you; after all, nobody would've been able to do anything to me," Xenra's voice grew firmer as she spoke, her lips curled upwards into a barely noticeable smirk. As soon as she was done speaking, she turned towards me, a barely noticeable smile on her face. "You can go now," she said, her voice calm and steady, "don't worry, I've sealed your tongue." After staring at her for about five seconds, I turned towards Akira, whose worry was still deeply etched on her face, and I nodded at her, attempting to ease her of the worry that had deeply settled within her. "Yo