XAVIER'S POV"What about her?" I asked with a puzzled expression on my face. He arched his brows. "Why not? "I quickly swept my tongue over my chapped lips and flashed him a rueful smile. "My bad, Uncle. I was just um... Carried away by the abrupt question. "But why was my Uncle suddenly interested in Crystal Thorne of all people?? She was after all just a mere Omega and slave. Well, she was technically not a slave anymore from the moment I claimed her as my mate.He smiled back at me and shook his head."I know you have claimed her as your mate, Xavier. I mean, after your public show in front of everyone, why wouldn't I be aware? The whole palace couldn't keep shut about it."Yeah right. Everyone was being nosy about Crystal Thorne and why I had claimed her as my mate. Like it was anyone's business anyway. But I didn't understand why Uncle Ivan was concerned about Crystal. Could something be wrong with me claiming her as my mate? I pressed my lips together in embarrass
XAVIER'S POV"And I fail to adequately grasp the young lady's role in this. " His words haunted my thoughts at once and my mind was filled with millions of questions about Crystal Thorne. What if she was never a slave? And maybe a spy? But how could she be spying for that long? She looked rather unwell. And according to my homework, she had been subjected to the most dreaded slave training and I was impressed she survived. She was a big fighter to have survived for this long. I was happy to see that she was gaining weight and looking even more beautiful than how she was while staying in that miserable slum. What blew my mind in particular was how supportive and selfless she was to her friend, Emily. She didn't want her to suffer alone but rather to be with her in the Royal palace even if it was to work as a slave. At least the working conditions were quite favourable compared to that miserable slum. She was... What was I thinking at such a crucial moment?!! My Uncle ju
XAVIER'S POVHis amber eyes gleamed as they bored into my dark brown ones. I was befuddled as I struggled to find the right words to speak again. The silence was deafening. The clock ticked in rhythm with my heart beat as I waited. Damn! What the hell was going on? He was kinda giving me the creeps! "Uncle Ivan? What's the matter? " I inquired with bulged eyes. He shook his head as if he was pulling himself back to the present. What the hell was that? He chuckled wryly and let go off me. "I just had a bad feeling. " He said quietly as he stared into oblivion like he was seeing a ghost. He was acting weird and now I was creeped out even more. I gulped and rubbed my wrist gently, utter confusion still marring my brows. "What do you mean by that? What's going on. You're acting strange Uncle."He shook his head again and smiled at me. "Never mind. Forget I ever said anything. " He said waving it off. Like hell I would! He had a bad feeling about something out of the
LEO'S POV"You look perfect! " My mother's voice startled me as she walked into my chamber. She was clad in a Burgundy dress that hid her feet; her dress was adorned with glittering precious diamonds and a silver piece of jewellery circled her lean long neck and she wore long earrings that dropped to her shoulders. Her hair was pulled up into a tight bun. The sparkling jewellery accentuated her iris. She looked all dolled up with make-up on.As she came close to adjust my Emerald shirt, a whiff of her expensive perfume teased my nostrils. "Mother, you look...stunning," I said carefully as I allowed my eyes to zero in on her unusual appearance. To be frank, I have never seen her like this before. It made me wonder what this occasion was really all about. The effort it took her to come up with this event was short-timed and it turned out amazing. I was sure by now, that a lot of guests were already here and some may have arrived. And my half-brother, Xavier. I wondered if he wo
LEO'S POVI gawked at Alicia as if I had seen a ghost because did I just hear her say Xavier was already in attendance?! "Your brother is also here, Xavier and you wouldn't believe who I saw him with. " She announced with widened eyes. Her words seeped into the recess of my brain and the thought that I was about to come face to face with my half-brother, Xavier, made my spine bristle with anger.I already promised my mother that I wasn't going to make a fuss but now that Xavier would be there....I wasn't quite sure how that would turn out. "Who is with Xavier that makes you look shocked like that, Alicia? " My mother asked, arching her brows at Alicia. Who could it be anyway? I wasn't expecting anyone with Xavier aside from Crystal, who he has now claimed as his mate. And besides, Uncle Ivan didn't fancy such functions. "It's Crystal Thorne, isn't it? " I said, brushing her off but she shook her head frantically. "What do you mean Crystal is not with Xavier? Then who? "
LEO'S POV"You might want to close your mouth now, Leo. I can't stand your breath." He sniped at me, causing my spine to bristle in sheer anger. The nerve of him to say that! How dare he! It was probably because he knew that his uncle was around that was why he was acting all pompous. So much confidence for someone who had not yet claimed the throne. "Fancy meeting you here, Xavier. I thought you were not going to make it." I said curtly, shooting him a fake smile. My jaw tightened as I resisted the urge to make a scene in front of anyone. But I had to refrain myself from making a complete fool of myself. I balled my hands at my side into a tight fist. He was alone, standing at the corner of the party where there were few guests present. And the two-piece clothes he wore, were screaming luxury. It was stunning with its glittering pearls adorning his shirt and at once envy churned in my stomach. As much as I hated to admit it, he looked incredibly amazing wearing that
CRYSTAL'S POVMy heart pounded in my chest at an alarming rate of excitement as I read the note again. It read:"Crystal, if you can, let's see underneath our favourite tree tonight."I was already dressed earlier and was waiting for the appointed time we would meet.Once it was 9 pm I quickly sneaked out of the inner chambers and on tip-toes, I walked down the shadowy hallway. Thanks to the function happening at the palace today, there were fewer guards and maids around here so it was easier to sneak out. Perfect timing! I couldn't be happier! Once I successfully escaped the inner chamber and hallways, I was deeply relieved as the outside air tingled my nostrils. It was giving a prison break escapades. I could feel the rush in my lungs as excitement seized me. I was really looking forward to seeing Emily again! I hope she was not assigned to serve at the function though. I'm sure she must have been aware beforehand about the function and if she were posted to serve at the
CRYSTAL'S POV"... Do you love him? " Her words seeped through my brain. Love is a very strong word and I wasn't sure if it was okay to say I love Xavier yet. It was too soon and I didn't know how to properly interpret the feelings I was having for him. For all I know it could be a mixed signal and I was only feeling a Stockholm syndrome towards someone who was blackmailing me to get his hands on the throne. But he didn't particularly give off the impression that he liked me. It was more of; "You're my mate and I'm responsible for your well fare" sort of thing. It wasn't love.... My heart sank at the realization that maybe Xavier didn't even like me or care for me as I thought he did. I mean, I understood the fact that it may be a little too soon for him to make professions of love to me, a mere omega and a former slave but if he truly liked me it would have been obvious. When he touched me, I thought I had gone insane. It was breathtaking and I didn't want him to stop. My wh
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