CRYSTAL'S POVI nodded. "Damn right he did, word for word."She heaved out a deep sigh and shook her head."He's so cold for that. I mean, we know what went down about the video and all, but he had no right to say those words."I stifled a chuckle. "Did I say something funny? Oh, I'm sorry that I'm trying my possible best to cheer up my friend who's having a mental breakdown over some drop-dead gorgeous Alpha that she may probably not have a chance with and she's laughing her ass off. Just great!" She huffed as she rolled her eyes."I'm sorry Emily. It's not like that, I promise. But when you mentioned rights, I couldn't help but laugh. We are omegas, and we are not entitled to any rights given our circumstances, or have you forgotten?"She heaved out a deep sigh as the frown faded from her brows. She shot me a rueful smile as she stroked my arm."But still...you didn't deserve to be treated like that, Crystal. He's a jerk! Just because you are an omega and ex-slave didn't give him t
CRYSTAL'S POV A sick feeling churned in my stomach as he grabbed my wrist.My brows pinched together in disgust and anger as I struggled to wrench free."Let go of me!" I squealed."I will only if you stay quiet. I just wanna talk, Crystal. " He said calmly, but his voice was laced with impatience."Talk? I have nothing to say to you, Leo! Now get your filthy hands off me!" I scoffed at him as I struggled away to break free of his grasp, but he was too strong. His grip tightened around my wrist, causing me to grimace in pain.A devilish smirk danced across his lips."Of course you do! We got plenty of things to talk about, Crystal. I won't take much of your time. Just follow me." He demanded as he attempted to drag me away but I stood on my ground, fighting for my release."Let go of me! I will scream!" I shrieked. "Oh no, you don't!" He growled as he clamped his other free big hand over my mouth, shutting me up.I muffled against his hand covering my mouth and failing helplessly a
CRYSTAL'S POV"Look, Crystal, I just want to tell you that I'm sorry about what I did the other time. Things went south and it was definitely not how I intended it to be. It was Alicia's fault. "Yeah right. Another pretence to deceive me perhaps, but tough luck, Leo because I certainly wasn't ready to buy that. I chuckled wryly and shook my head.What was he so desperate for?"I'm no longer the naive girl from yesterday, Leo. If you think I would fall for one of your stupid games, then think again. Just leave me alone ." I waved him off and attempted to leave but he stood right in front of me, forcing me to take a tentative step backwards.I arched my brows at him, my heart thudding in my throat.I quickly swallowed before I spoke for fear that my voice may come out in a croak. And this was certainly no time to chicken out and let him have control over me. I took in a deep breath and heaved it out."Let me go." I glared at him."I will if you would just calm the fuck down! I just
CRYSTAL'S POV I jutted my chin at him and arched my brows, challenging him."I honestly don't care, Leo. It's only a fool that would run back to the same person that abused her. "He puffed out a deep sigh. "It's different now, Crystal. That's what I was trying to say! It's different, can't you see? The fact that I was willing to come to see you should be self-explanatory enough to tell you how serious I am."He said gently.His brows softened in concern as he added, "I know I've done terrible things to you Crystal, but I promise I've turned a new leaf and I'm willing to make things right with you only if you could just give me the chance to do that."Chance? To Alpha Leo Fernández of all people?! Even if I was asked in my next life, I would never give him the chance ever again, not after what he had done to me! It was funny though, especially because I used to have a massive crush on Leo back then; the days I would hide and ogled at his half-naked body drenched with sweat as he
CRYSTAL'S POV My heart was pounding relentlessly in my throat as I ran towards the door. On getting to the door, I slowed my pace to catch my breath. Oh my Gosh! What if Xavier was already in the room? I peered at my hand-held wristwatch. It was already 3 pm. There was certainly no way he wouldn't be in there waiting for me right now. Shit! How did I spend so much time? That's roughly over three hours! I needed to come up with an excuse as quickly as possible. But what excuse could I possibly give him? I couldn't think of one right now because my brain was so spazzed from all that running and especially after the ugly and unexpected encounter with Leo Fernández! There's no point waiting out here until I come up with the perfect excuse. What could an omega like me possibly say to an Alpha like Xavier Fernández? I swallowed. There's no point, really. Just open the damn door and face your fate. Let's just hope that he was in a good mood than how he left this morning, or else I'm so
CRYSTAL'S POV "Dinner?!" I squealed with widened eyes. "T-together with you?" I sputtered with my hands flailing frantically.He nodded."Yes. C'mon, let's go. I'm famished." He urged, cocking his head towards the door.I hesitated as I tried to calm my ragged breathing. I found it surprising that Xavier would suddenly ask me to go for dinner with him! I thought I would find him so pissed off that I left without a word but surprisingly, he wasn't at all and now, he was asking me for dinner?Was this a dream?! How was this possible? Or was there something I should be aware of? I sucked in several deep breaths and gingerly rose to my feet, my brows were pinched together in confusion. Reading the expression on my face, he said after a chuckle."Oh, you thought we were going on a romantic dinner together, just the two of us?" He ribbed with a sly smile forming at the corner of my lips. I pulled my lips between my teeth as heat instantly rushed to my cheeks. I nodded shyly, tugging
CRYSTAL'S POV What did she just say? Did she just call me a filth in front of everyone?Oh my God! I was so embarrassed to look at their faces. I bit my bottom lip and forcibly swallowed the tender fish that I was chewing down my throat, almost choking on it.I hastily reached for the glass of water on the table and gulped its contents down my throat.Alpha Xavier didn't even say a word in defence. He kept chewing on his food with precision.I was too stunned to speak as I gaped my mouth open slightly."I don't think I want to be here, seeing that the slave girl has probably touched the food!" Luna Racaheal vented with so much aggression scrunching up in her brows as she pointed at me.Honestly, what did I ever do to that woman that made her loathe me so much? It wasn't my fault that I was claimed by Xavier to become his mate. He chose me as his mate.Leo's gaze was shrewd and assessing as they bored through mine.I lowered my gaze to my clasped hands. I clutched my hands together s
CRYSTAL'S POVNice dress, by the way, Crystal." Leo said, suddenly, startling me.What the fuck was he thinking, saying that to me?!I sucked in several deep shuddering breaths to calm my rattling nerves.What do I say in return? The way Xavier stopped chewing and was staring at me, waiting for my response, was making me uneasy.I shifted relentlessly with my breath hitched in my throat. I tried to speak, but I was at loss for words. What do I even say to that? A thank you? It might only enrage Xavier since he had instructed me not to say a word.I gulped and averting my gaze from Leo, I nodded again towards Xavier's direction, acknowledging his permission to release me and then I scurried away without looking back to see the expression on Leo's face. I didn't want to see it. That man has gone bullocks! I wondered what came over him all of a sudden. Why does he suddenly want me back after abusing me earlier? Was I a game just to get back at his brother, Xavier?I heaved out a deep sig
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