CRYSTAL'S POV I had been waiting for Xavier all night that I didn't know when I slept off.Waking up, I felt groggy and tired and super famished. That's right, yesterday at the Royal dining room was a total disaster. I was derided by Luna Rachael for no obvious reason, and I had used a bathroom break as an excuse. Xavier had instructed that I wait for him in the inner chambers. I had waited all night but he didn't return so I fell asleep.I turned on the other side of the bed to see if he was still asleep, but to my surprise, he wasn't even in bed.I glanced at the wall clock and the time read, 9:10 am. It was still early in the morning, and he wasn't even in bed.Maybe he was in the shower or perhaps went for one of his usual so-called walks. He probably went off to see Alicia again.My heart fluttered in annoyance.Well, whatever. It wasn't like it was any of my business anyway.I yawned and stretched. What I should be concerned about right now was what I was going to eat.As if
CRYSTAL'S POVI yelped in shock as the booming voice from the door startled us.I gasped in astonishment to see Xavier's huge frame filling the entrance of the door.That wasn't the only reason I was shocked. My eyes dipped lower as my jaw gaped wide open like a fish on a hook to see the beautiful banquet of flowers he was holding on his left hand. Flowers?!! For me? Was he really serious right now? What the hell was going on here? Was there some sort of contest going on because why on earth did the Fernández brothers both come to give me an expensive looking banquet of flowers? Or perhaps it wasn't meant for me but for Alicia? Don't be lame, Crystal, the look of puzzlement in his eyes said otherwise. It was most definitely for you!Hold on! Someone, please wake me up .This had better be a dream!! I'm screaming mentally right now and flapping my hands like a bird! Xavier just got me flowers???!!! What for?!But this wasn't the time to get excited. We have far more important things
LEO'S POV"Fuck!" I grunted in pain as I held my side. It hurts like hell and my neck was burning with pain as well. I was in so much discomfort that a guard ran towards me to give me a hand."Alpha Leo! What happened to you? Was there an attack? I will send for-"I waved him off and smiled weakly."It's alright, Austin." Austin was my personal guard . He was always stationed at my chambers.He nodded but his brows were still pinched together in concern. He supported his arm around my back as we staggered to my chambers.I was limping in pain and I couldn't breathe properly because of the scorching pain searing in my chest.Damn Xavier! I would never forgive him for this! He ruined my one perfect chance to reclaim Crystal Thorne, my mate whom I had once rejected. And on top of that, he had disgraced me in front of her. The way he easily beat the hell out of me made me cower in embarrassment as I fumbled out of the inner chambers. Shit! Now, all thanks to Xavier my stupid brother, C
ALICIA'S POVWho the hell does he think he was? Acting all mighty and domineering?! Humph! I clicked my tongue and rolled my eyes in exasperation. The nerve of Leo to send me out like that! I didn't even do anything wrong, I was merely being logical! He had to kick me out like he was scolding some seven-year-old child. What the hell was his problem anyway?But I wondered what transpired at Xavier's private chambers... Was Crystal involved? What could possibly have gone down there, and why was Leo's face so battered like that? There were so many unanswered questions and I was dying of curiosity. Even though I tried to eavesdrop, it would be hopeless because the door was metal. I could barely hear what was going on at the other side of the door.Perhaps I should take a stroll towards Xavier's chambers in the hopes of running into any clues that might tell me what had happened there.I didn't necessarily have to enter into his inner chambers. Of course, it's forbidden unless I was
ALICIA'S POVWhat the hell do flowers have to do with anything? I don't understand..."Flowers?" I quizzed with arched brows. I was completely lost.She nodded in affirmative."Yes, flowers. They were arguing about flowers. I think I saw a banquet of flowers with Alpah Xavier when he came.""But who could those flowers be for?" I rubbed my chin as I tried to piece the information I was receiving together but there were still loopholes."I'm guessing is for Crystal Thorne. I heard them arguing about it. Alpha Xavier was very angry that Alpha Leo overstepped his boundaries. He wasn't having it and the next thing I heard took me by surprise."I widened my eyes in alertness."What is that?" I demanded impatiently. She heaved out a deep sigh before she responded."Well, there seemed to be some sort of a brawl that happened afterwards. The door shook. I believe they were fighting.""What? For what?""Most likely because Alpha Leo went in there without his permission..."Something wasn't
ALICIA'S POVI got him! He appeared uneasy about what I said. Does he know?I gingerly stepped into his chambers, but it felt weird for some reason today. I mean, this was literally where I stayed with Leo, so why does it feel weird? Maybe it was because, this time, I was aware that Leo was drifting apart from me, no thanks to Crystal Thorne. That stupid slave girl was the cause of it. And of course, she would pay for it. I will think of something tonight; it was very important that I devised a plan to bring her closer to me. I had to find a way to poison her mind somehow; to make her hate Xavièr Fernández; to make her separate from him, giving me an opening to attack her and whisk her out of the picture once and for all.But first, it was important that I convince Leo to stay away from her. But would I be able to do just that? Knowing how inherently stubborn Leo was, it may be difficult to attain that. What could I possibly do? Even if it was to plant the seed of doubt into his mi
ALICIA'S POV "You got some nerve, Alicia! Who said he beat me to a pulp?!" He snarled, his eyes were glowing with rage and his fangs were baring out.I shuddered, seeing him like that up close was terrifying. He squeezed my neck almost making me choke up."Remember your place, Alicia. You do not belong to this pack in the first place so quit acting all high and mighty before I change my mind and banish you from here. Is that understood?!" He barked.I could barely breathe talk less of speaking so I nodded before he released me.I gasped for air, coughing as I rubbed my neck. That jerk almost choked me to death! What the fuck!I glared at him, still rubbing my now-reddened neck gently."You almost choked me to death Leo!"I cried in shock.He shrugged."You caused it, babbling your mouth like that!" He pointed an accusing finger at me.I gaped at him, dumbfounded to even form a coherent statement.I grew silent.What the fuck was his problem?!At this rate, it would be difficult to co
XAVIER'S POVWhen my eyes caught a glimpse of the banquet of flowers he held in his hands, I was utterly enraged. How dare my brother get her flowers?! He didn't have the right to! Crystal Thorne was my mate and not his. I don't know why he was still adamant and stubborn to accept the fact.No matter how hard he tried, Crystal was mine, and it didn't matter if he had once claimed her and even rejected her. She was mine, and that was on period.If he tried to act funny or cunny I don't know what else I might do to him. He had better steer clear from Crystal Thorne, or else he would see the full wrath of my anger. Today was just the tip of the iceberg, and he should just count himself lucky that I didn't unleash my full wrath on him. I was almost about to lose it when I found my brother, Leo, alone with my mate in my private chambers! I had no idea how long they had been together, but judging from the situation of things and how uncomfortable Crystal looked, I knew he had been forcing
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