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
Xenra The atmosphere was unusually quiet as Akira and Asher went about their dinner. From the look on Akira's face, I could tell something was running through her mind. Her brows were slightly creased as she picked at her meal as though she had no appetite, and I began to wonder if they had had another quarrel. After about four minutes of eating without saying a word to each other, Akira slammed her knife and fork against her plate, which made Asher's head jerk up. "What's the matter?" He asked, his tone ringing with concern. As if that was the signal Akira had been waiting for, she said, "Brother, I really hope you can reconsider your plan." Her words dripping with urgency as she stared at Asher. Her words made my brows furrow, and I began to wonder what she was talking about. Asher's expression remained unreadable, and even though he didn't say a word, Akira pressed on. "I'd advise you to wait until you've had your crises, after which you can go wherever you want to
Xenra"Xenra!" The unmistakable, shrill voice of Zara sliced through the quietness hanging over the path leading to the maid's quarters.I turned towards the direction where the voice had come to find Zara running towards me with her arms outstretched, ready for a hug.Before I could say a word, she threw herself at me, wrapping her hands tightly around me, giggling and bouncing with excitement."It's so nice to have you back!" She exclaimed, almost screaming, her words trembling with happiness.She held onto me for a while, and by the time she parted, her lips were broadly spread apart."So tell me, tell me, tell me everything that happened during your stay in the vampire queen's kingdom," she begged, her words tumbling out in a rush, her eyes wide with excitement.But all I could do was to giggle, indulging in her warmth and excitement.As we began to walk towards our room, she held my hands. "Xenra, I'm so happy you're back with every member of your being. You don't know how worrie
LenaI silently puffed out a breath as I settled into the chair's backrest. "That was close!" I mouthed even as I tried to still my racing heart.I screwed my eyes shut, and my mind began to travel back to what Lena had told me. As the memories lingered, it almost took everything I had to resist the urge to bang my head, even as I recalled what she had told me.'You're such a moron, Lena, how could you forget the story of how they met?' I asked myself, greatly displeased about the fact that I almost blew up my cover.Gradually, I began to give in to the memories that strolled past me, the memories of how Lena had told me everything.It was one of those days when I had visited her pack after months of bonding with her. On that particular day, she took me to her favourite peach tree.Although it wasn't the first time we had spent time under that tree, nor was I oblivious to the fact that she lived in that particular spot, that day my curiosity heightened since I knew I had to learn as
AsherFinally everything was ready, and it was time to leave.As I walked towards the chariot with Lena tugging closely beside me, I saw Xenra take three steps backwards from the side of the chariot where she stood.Her withdrawal pierced me in the heart, as I didn't need anyone to tell me she was avoiding me.In that instant, a great pang of sadness settled in my heart, accompanied by a looming guilt about everything that had happened.As I settled into the chariot, I couldn't stop the questions that swirled within me.'Why's Xenra behaving like that?' I asked myself, but no matter how I thought about it, I just couldn't understand why she had decided to stay away from me.'Did I really do something wrong?' My question rang in my head, causing my brows to slightly furrow.Right there, my mind began to replay what had happened ever since that night, and no matter how much I thought about it, I just couldn't wrap my head around what the reason was.I turned towards her, but she swiftly
XenraI watched with a heavy heart as the guards carried their belongings to the horses. Although I had arranged my belongings and had taken them outside, I couldn't find the courage to take them to the horses that were already prepared for departure.While they went about their businesses, I found myself walking towards the entrance of the palace hall, where I stood a few feet away.As I fixed my gaze on the inscription above the door of the palace hall, where "Maltos' castle" was boldly written,A great sense of nostalgia washed over me, evoking memories of my reign as the vampire queen, dressed in my regalia and escorted by Marcus during my official duties.As the memories lingered, I felt greatly reluctant to leave. A great pang of sadness settled in my heart, and longing tugged along, especially since I knew I had to leave, and as I gave in to those feelings within me, I swore,"I promise you, I'll come back home as who I really am and not as a stranger in my home." My gaze fix
XenraAs I resolved within myself, the soft rattling on the door snapped me out of the thoughts that had kept me busy.In that instant, I jolted and began to walk towards the door, but after two steps, I halted in my tracks."Wait, what has gotten over you?" I mused, my brows deeply furrowed as I pondered why I was behaving frantically.But I didn't even have the time to ponder it, as the rattle on the door snapped me back to action.In that instant, I snapped back to the present, took a deep breath, and straightened my spine, even as I prepared myself for whatever was coming.I had thought it was Lena or one of those people I didn't want to see, like Asher or the impersonator, so I prepared myself for any upcoming confrontation.As I walked gently this time around to the door, I heard the unmistakable voice of Marcus, "It's me, my lady." He said, with a small, hushed tone.As soon as I heard his voice, I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding and doubled my steps to the door.
XenraMy steps were fast as I dashed through the part that led to my room. With a loud bang, I slammed the door shut, feeling my heart banging hard against my chest."What was I looking at?" I muttered beneath my breath, wondering why I had stood still like an idiot, watching Asher and Lena have their intimate moment.No matter how I thought about it, I just couldn't understand what got me so entranced that I forgot my senses.But as my thoughts lingered, I felt a looming anger within me, gradually coursing through my veins, until I was completely absorbed in it.I was angry that I had seen them kissing; I was angry about the fact that I had bumped into them at that very moment; I was angry that I was affected by it; and I was more angry that I was angry about it."What is really wrong with me?" I asked and paced back and forth, sighing in frustration with a loud puff of breath.Ever since that night with Asher, I haven't been myself. I just couldn't understand why it felt so difficul
Asher"What are you still doing? Get out!" Lena ordered, the anger laced in her voice unmistakable."How dare you stare at us that way?" She glared at Xenra, who was standing with her head lowered."See how you were looking at us as if you wanted my man to yourself," Lena spat, her voice heavy with menace. "Just because you were able to help alleviate his symptoms, you think you have the right to be where we are?" Lena threw her question to Xenra, who clearly couldn't get herself to say a word to her.I opened my mouth to speak, but after about two seconds, I closed it and pushed back the words that had formed in my throat back to the pit of my stomach.I wanted to tell Lena that it was enough; I wanted to tell her she was being too harsh on Xenra, but then, I knew I shouldn't.I didn't want Lena to get suspicious of anything or even have an opinion. So I had to refrain from intervening in it.Yet, Lena wasn't satisfied with what she had just said, as she continued talking down on Xe
AsherWith my mind deeply engrossed in thought, I found myself walking towards the patio. As I settled into the couch in the middle, my gaze fell on the peace lilies beside the screen wall. Although the sight of the blooming lilies was calming, my mind drifted yet again, back to the scene of that night—the night I had with Xenra.No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't stop the flashbacks that had continuously plagued my mind like flies, buzzing around me at the faintest opportunity.Although the sex I had with her was purely out of impulse, I just couldn't understand why I was unable to move on from that night; I couldn't understand why I was so affected by what had happened between us.As I gave myself fully to it all, the unmistakable voice of my wolf, Aanon, resonated within me."I think she's familiar," Aanon's voice rumbled within me, snapping me out of her looming presence."What do you mean?" I asked him, curious about what he was talking about."She feels like someone w
AsherWith my mind deeply engrossed in thought, I found myself walking towards the patio. As I settled into the couch in the middle, my gaze fell on the peace lilies beside the screen wall. Although the sight of the blooming lilies was calming, my mind drifted yet again, back to the scene of that night—the night I had with Xenra.No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't stop the flashbacks that had continuously plagued my mind like flies, buzzing around me at the faintest opportunity.Although the sex I had with her was purely out of impulse, I just couldn't understand why I was unable to move on from that night; I couldn't understand why I was so affected by what had happened between us.As I gave myself fully to it all, the unmistakable voice of my wolf, Aanon, resonated within me."I think she's familiar," Aanon's voice rumbled within me, snapping me out of her looming presence."What do you mean?" I asked him, curious about what he was talking about."She feels like someone w