ALICIA'S POV He cleared his throat, startling me.So was he going to do this or not? A lot depended on his response. Hopefully, he accepted and saved me a lot of trouble.He fell silent again.I arched my brows at him curiously."So? Are you in or not?" As much as I was concerned about what his response was going to be, it was best I got this over and done with quickly.He bit his bottom lip, rubbing his chin as he gave it some thought. He cleared his throat again and shot me a half smile."Okay! Truth be told, I'm interested in who this lady is, so yeah, I'm taking the job. And besides, " he paused, a sly smile crept over his lips, "it wouldn't be so bad to explore the royal palace."I rolled my eyes and chuckled. Thank goodness he accepted this mission!"Remember, don't get carried away. This mission is very important. You can't afford to mess this up, but I'm trusting you on this." I said firmly. He really couldn't! This mission was far too important for any screw-ups.He chu
ALICIA'S POV Knowing someone like Martin, surely he would love to have power and title. But what can I offer him? I'm not even the new Luna yet, and now my position was still under debate because of Crystal Thorne. That was why I needed him on board. This mission was a priority! He had better not mess things up.The plan was to get him invested in this mission.I cleared my throat, preparing to leave as I slowly rose to my feet."Like I said, I would reveal things bit by bit in the course of the misson. Just be on board and get moving. " I said firmly.He arched his brows at me as he stood up, towering over me like the mountain Alps. He was insanely tall if not one of the tallest men I've ever laid eyes on."Is this how it goes? What if I'm not interested in the extra package? What would you do then?" He quizzed.He wouldn't let me be now , would he? Rolling my eyes, I heaved out an exasperated groan."Martin, I already promised I'm going to give you a lot of money."He cackled.
ALICIA'S POV Everything's was set. I'm so happy we are finally getting there. Baby steps, they say, was better than nothing. It was indeed better than remaining stagnant. I mean, they have been a lot of setbacks, but at least I was still on track. I still had some things under control. I was enthralled to be visited by the news ,shortly after we arrived from my secret trip off the palace, that Xavier had sent for Lucas in search of a guard for Crystal as soon as possible.He had nothing to worry about because we just went to fetch a new bodyguard for his mate. The man that would be working under me. It was only a matter of time, and then let's just hope that Martin got approved by Xavier. Anyway, he didn't have any choice, did he? From what I hear, he was quite desperate for one. So I was definitely in luck.After we had left Martin's shop and had approached Luacs who had been waiting for us, I knew that things wouldn't be so difficult for Martin after all. "Lucas, this is Martin,
XAVIER'S POVAfter careful examination, and as much as I hated to admit, Alicia was right. Crystal needed a bodyguard. Her life may be in danger, and she ought to be extremely careful in the palace because no one was to be trusted. And besides, this was for her own good and safety. Getting her a bodyguard will be for the best.I had sent for Lucas immediately so that he could get her a new personal bodyguard as soon as possible! I was surprised when Lucas said that he already got one for her. So we had arranged for today when I would be finally meeting the new bodyguard. It was important that I ensure that he was competent and efficient at the job before I considered employing him to take care of my mate. This was by far the most important job! The life of Crystal Thorne was vital, and the bodyguard must promise his life to protect her.I was getting ready when she came to my side and greeted me."Good morning, Xavier. Where to?" She quizzed, with her brows arched curiously.I was k
XAVIER'S POVI clamped my lips together briefly as I forced a lump down my throat. Get back in control, Xavier! You are in charge for fuck's sake! I cleared my throat again and nodded."It is my pleasure to have you. What is your name, young man?" I asked, as I fixed him a grim stare. His throat bobbed as he swallowed quickly before answering. "Martin, sir." He said quickly."Martin? Just Martin?"He nodded."Yes, I'm afraid so. I don't exactly have a surname I particularly love to stick with so Martin is fine sir." He smiled weirdly at me.I nodded."Alright then, Martin. Welcome to the revered Blood Moon Pack. I understand you're vying for the post of a new bodyguard for my mate, Crystal Thorne?"He nodded frantically. "Of course sir. That is why I am here." He said with a grin plastered on his face.He looked so excited to take this job, which was irking my nerves, and I didn't understand why. This was about Crystal and not me, so why was I already judging him? I heaved out
CRYTSAL'S POV"Crystal, here's your new personal bodyguard, Martin," Xavier announced as he gestured towards a tall man clad in silver armour. His chestnut hair laced with some white strands framed his oblong face. There was a sparkle in his eyes as he extended his hand."Hello, my lady, It's a pleasure to serve and protect you. I swear on my life to protect you." He declared stoutly.He didn't look bad, but hell, he was taller than Xavier. This was the first time I would see anyone taller than Xavier.I swallowed and nodded with a smile as I reached out to take his hand gingerly."The pleasure is mine, Martin. Welcome on board." I said.He returned my smile with a wide grin plastered on his face as his eyes darted over my face curiously as if I were an intriguing subject he couldn't wait to delve into.His hand stayed a bit before he let go.Xavier shot him a warning look and then cleared his throat loudly. "So he's starting today. Is that fine by you?" Xavier asked me.I mean, I'm
CRYTSAL'S POV I don't believe in treating servants with disrespect or contempt because I was once in their shoes, so I know what it felt like.I perfectly understood his reaction. He returned a rather awkward smile."I-I sincerely appreciate your gestures, my lady. Thank you for your empathy towards my plight, but this is my job, and I'm more than willing to go all out for you. So, please do not hesitate to order me around even for the littlest things. I am at your service." He tilted his head.I cleared my throat."Please, Martin, raise your head," I said gently.He slowly lifted his head to meet my face.I shot him a tight-lipped smile.This was one of the sweetest gestures I have ever received from a servant! Maybe it was because I wasn't used to having a bodyguard yet. This is normal, Crystal. Quit making a big deal out of this and let the poor guy do his damn job! I admonished myself mentally.I sucked in several deep breaths.It wasn't my fault. This was new to me. All my life
CRYSTAL'S POV "You can just wait here, Martin. I will need some privacy with my best friend." I announced when we reached the maid's quarters. Concern marred at his brows."Are you sure, Crystal? I can't let you out of my sight for security reasons. I'm sorry, I'm just doing my job." He offered me an apologetic smile.I heaved out a deep sigh.He was right. I couldn't stop him from doing his job."Okay, how about you stand at a safe distance where you can still see me," I suggested.He gave it a thought and nodded."I think that is better. But not too far off, please. Be rest assured. My only concern is your protection." He said, offering me an entreating smile.I pulled a face, and then my lips thinned into a smile."Alright," I nodded, "I get that you're just doing your job."He tilted his head. "Thank you for understanding."I waved him off playfully. "Of course, I do more than you think, Martin."His eyes squinted in curiosity. "More than I think? May I ask what you mean by tha
LEO'S POVOh shit! This wasn't good! Crystal was going to be kidnapped. What if I was already too late. I didn't exactly hear everything that they said. But I knew something was off, and I was already too late by the time I got to Xavier's chambers. I came just in time to see two men clad in black clothes and a mask covering their faces, carrying Crystal after drugging her. They put her in a horse-drawn carriage.I tried to follow the carriage as discreetly as I could until they stopped at a cavern beneath a high mountain.Damn it, but even if I wanted to rescue her , I was outnumbered.There was no way I could make it at this rare. I would just end up getting myself killed.Then what do I do at this rate? This was a matter of life and death. Crystal was in dire danger. My mother and crazy girlfriend had completely gone bonkers! I needed to get Crystal out of there as fast as possible before things got out of hand.I had no idea what exactly the two women wanted to do to Crystal. H
CRYSTAL'S POV It's has been a lonely evening....a lonely day, in fact. Xavier was hardly around. He had been very busy with having ceaseless meetings with his uncle, and tonight, he had mentioned earlier that he won't be available until later in the night or early in the morning so I shouldn't wait up for him.I puffed out a deep sigh. He had been very busy these past few weeks. I heard the coronation was drawing to a close. No wonder the discreet meetings with his uncle have risen. He had been working so hard with little time to rest. I hoped he was doing okay? I had insisted earlier that he took today's off, but he wouldn't listen.I slid out of bed and headed to the balcony for the view and to get some fresh air. Maybe that would help me relax and sleep better. Lately, I've been finding it somewhat hard to fall asleep easier.I also wonder if Martin was doing alright ever since he went exiled. At any rate, it was way better than remaining here. Alicia would have made life a livi
ALICIA'S POV Shit! Shit! Shit! As if things couldn't get any worse than it already was!Three days had passed, and I didn't hear a single word from Martin anymore. I had instructed Lucas to check on him in his quarters, but he was nowhere to be found. He didn't even report to work the following morning. So I had Lucas go to his bakcksmith shop discreetly to find out if he was there. But he wasn't....infact, until now we had no idea where he would have run off to.It's been a week and not a single word. What could have happened? If he had exposed my plans to Crystal or Xavier, I would have known by now. But something was strange. What did Martin do? He probably ran off somewhere. He was a spy, after all. It was easier for him to adapt.But damn it! I didn't expect my plans to be ruined. I invested so much into this, and yet I have nothing to show for it! What the hell was happening?! Did Crystal do or say to him? What really went down? I wouldn't be able to know when she tells me
CRYSTAL'S POVI was such a fool! How come I didn't realise that Alicia had been playing a trick on me all these while?! Xavier and Emily, my best friend, warned me, and yet I didn't listen because I wanted to give Alicia the benefit of the doubt for once. I had hoped that something good was going to come out of our friendship after she supposedly rescued me that day. Rescued? But come to think of it though...now that Martin had exposed the truth, what if Emily had been right that the whole idea about Alicia randomly showing up that day and most especially in the nick of time to save me, sounded so thought out and planned. What if Alicia also had a hand in that as well? She had insisted that Xavier get me a new bodyguard because she had been plotting to bring one here herself, which was Martin. How come I didn't see that coming?! I was so blinded to the fact that Alicia was turning a new leaf and wanted the best for me. What a fool I had been! Now, thanks to the moon goddess for swa
MARTIN'S POV A video?! Why does this sound so familiar. "What?! What did Leo do to you if you don't mind my asking? Did he-""No!" She blurted out before I could finish. I didn't want to complete that statement in the first place, silently hoping it wasn't true ."No, he didn't! I'm glad he didn't." She said shakily, and I couldn't help but feel the pain seared through my chest, watching how hurt she looked.She must have been through a lot. I wondered what really went down that day...Thankfully, Leo didn't rape her as I thought. She paused and sucked in several deep breaths before she continued:"He tried to have sex with me but I'm glad it didn't go through....so a video was made and I was threatened that the video would go public if I didn't do as I was told. I had no choice. Before I could gather my thoughts together, I ran out. I was mortified, broken, and scared to death. "She paused as she bit her bottom lip frantically before she continued again."I wanted to run away an
MARTIN'S POV I resumed work the following day as usual, but this time, it was different. The emotions writhing inside of me were relentless. What do I do? I was restless, and I couldn't even concentrate on my job.I think the moment of truth was finally here, and for the first time, I was going to follow my heart to hell with the consequences. I would rather voice out the truth that will set me free than bottling up all these lies and guilt nibbling at me steadily.As usual, we met for her morning run, and when we slowed down for a break, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to tell her the truth. At this rate, what was even the point of hiding the truth?! It was utterly useless because I quit! I wouldn't stand by, fold my hands, and watch as an innocent, young lady's life was torn apart, and I had a hand in her destruction. No! I wouldn't be able to live with myself after that. I would blame myself for as long as i lived! So instead, why didn't I try to make things right?G
MARTIN'S POV I sucked in a deep breath as I swallowed.She arched her brows diametrically at me as she peered up at me, eyeing me closely.I cleared my throat."What brings you to this crappy side of the royal palace. It was rare seeing you here at this hour. This place doesn't suit your fancy, my lady." I said, with a sly smile curling up at the corner of my lips with an intent to taut her.She rolled her eyes as she moaned in exasperation."Oh for fuck's sake, Xavier drop the stupid formalities and step aside!" My eyes widened slightly as curiosity creased my brows.Don't tell me she was planning to step inside my shithole of a room!"Um...what on earth are you planning to do, Alicia?" I dipped lower as I whispered fiercely, looking both ways to ensure that no one was within earshot and in sight.She waved me off and pushed past me as she entered my tiny room. But the good part was that she didn't have to duck her head like me.I puffed out a deep sigh of resignation. There was
MARTIN'S POV Days passed by like a blur and then weeks and before I realised what was happening, two months had gone by. And in all of those times, a day didn't pass without my mind being preoccupied by the thoughts of Crystal Thorne, the lady whom I served under. The lady I had sworn to protect with my life. And you know what? I would gladly lay down my life for her. No one deserved that, but Crystal Thorne! Where on earth has she been all these while?! If only I had been a little earlier, we could have ended up together. Hopefully..... Well, at least, she wouldn't have had the opportunity of even crossing paths with Alpha Xavier Fernández. If only I had come into her life earlier. Maybe she didn't have to suffer. We could have run off somewhere and started a new life as a couple who shared a somewhat similar past. But was it too late?Maybe it wasn't too late after all.... how else could the both of us have met anyway?! Crystal Thorne had been locked up within the four walls of t
MARTIN'S POV"I'm sorry once again, Crystal," I said again when we were outside alone and after we had jogged around the open fields of the royal palace.She shook her head frantically."It alright, Martin. It is fine. I understand that you're still trying to find your feet," she paused as she shot me a rueful smile."You know, I used to be like you when I first started my job. I was confused and scared. I wasn't sure about what to do. I was so clueless like a fawn parted from its mother."I smiled warmly at her as I listened to her.I couldn't help but admire her beauty. She was indeed breathtaking. On top of that, she was a strong young lady who had survived a lot. I owe her some respect for that!"Thank you for understanding, Crystal," I said gently, shooting her a wide grin.She was not only empathetic to my plight, she was gentle and nice towards me.I wish to know more about her, and it had been eating deep at me. The curiosity to know what lies in the deepest recess of her he