Chapter 25 - King’s Dilemma"Any news of Antler’s whereabouts?" King Maxton asked, his voice steady as he leaned against the balcony railing. The cold breeze brushed against his face, but his focus was on the figure moving gracefully in the garden below. Georgia wandered through the flowers, occasionally pausing to admire a bloom or two, before turning her attention to the maze."They are still searching in the Northern Capital, but there have been no sightings yet," Tanner replied, his tone reflecting the frustration they both felt. Despite all their resources, Antler had managed to vanish without a trace.Maxton nodded, his gaze never leaving Georgia. "And the footage of Georgia?" he added, the question laced with an undercurrent of urgency."It is untraceable," Tanner admitted,
Chapter 26 - Defiant NoMaxton stood in the hallway outside Georgia’s room, his hand hesitating over the doorknob. After his conversation with Tanner, he felt compelled to spend more time with her, to try to understand the woman she is and to understand what he truly feels towards her, to determine his next course of action. It was his way of searching for answers in the midst of his confusion, or perhaps it was something deeper — something he was reluctant to admit, even to himself.Taking a deep breath, he knocked lightly on the door before opening it. Georgia was sitting by the window, her gaze fixed on the gardens below, where she had explored the night before. She turned her head slightly at the sound of the door, offering him a soft, almost automatic smile that did not quite reach her eyes.“Good morning,” Maxton greeted, stepping into the room. “I was thinking we could go for a walk today. Get some fresh air.”Georgia nodded, standing gracefully. “Of course. That sounds nice.”
Chapter 27 - Missing BodiesHer vision blurred, her body growing limp as Harrion’s control tightened around her, suffocating the last remnants of her defiance. She was losing the battle, her will slipping away as the darkness closed in around her. Her silver eyes that burned brightly began to fade into their cloudy state.“Let go,” Harrion commanded, his voice a whisper that echoed in the depths of her mind. “You cannot win.”And with that, Georgia felt herself slipping away, her mind succumbing to the overwhelming force of Harrion’s control. The last thing she saw before darkness claimed her was Maxton’s face, his expression a mixture of fear, confusion, and concern.Maxton caught her as she collapsed, her body going limp in his arms. “Georgia” he called out. He gently lowered her to the ground, his hand pressing against her cheek as he tried to rouse her.But Georgia did not respond. She lay still, her breathing shallow, her eyes closed as if she were lost in a deep, troubled sleep.
Chapter 28 - Greatest Weapon, Greatest ThreatHarrion Bergmont paced the dimly lit chamber, his fingers nervously tracing the edge of the Bloodstone Amulet around his neck. The room was cold, illuminated only by the flickering light of a few scattered candles, casting long shadows on the stone walls. The air was thick with tension, and his mind raced with the weight of his mistakes. The amulet, though powerful, was not the complete artifact he had once hoped it to be. Its energy was erratic, its influence over the hollowed shells unstable, and the realization that Georgia could fight back against his control had shaken him to his core.Voice low, almost a growl, Harrion muttered to himself, "I should have known… I should have anticipated this." He clenched his fists, his knuckles white from the pressure. He had underestimated the silver eyes, a mistake he could no longer afford. The power that coursed through Georgia was far greater than he had anticipated, and now, she was slipping t
Chapter 29 - The AssembleAcross the Middle Region, the hollowed shells — werewolves who had succumbed to the Soulbane drug, were being herded like cattle into transport vehicles. Their eyes were empty, their movements mechanical as they shuffled forward, guided by the commands issued through the incomplete power of the Bloodstone Amulet. They were no longer individuals but tools, weapons to be wielded in Harrion’s quest for power.In the facility on the border, Harrion and Andor stood in a large, sterile room, overlooking the gathered werewolves. The facility was well hidden, surrounded by dense forests, and unmarked on any map. It was a place where the corrupt officials of the Middle Region had turned a blind eye, bought and paid for by the wealth of the stripped and outcasted Bergmont family.Harrion Bergmont raised the amulet, and a pulse of energy rippled through the room. The hollowed shells stirred, their heads snapping up as if in response to an unseen command. Andor Bergmont
Chapter 30 - Tip the Balance Scale“The Assembly of Sovereigns is fast approaching,” Queen Mother Poline began, her voice tinged with a mix of authority and impatience as she entered the grand hall of the palace. King Maxton, standing by the large arched windows, turned to face his mother, his expression unreadable. The tension between them was evident, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken expectations that had hung over them for years.“You must have chosen a Luna by now,” Poline continued, her tone hard and insistent. Her eyes, sharp and discerning, searched her son’s face for any sign of defiance. “It is not just about tradition, Maxton. The pack needs stability, and you need a partner to rule beside you. The Council will not wait.”Maxton’s jaw tightened, his gaze flickering with a mix of frustration and resignation. “Mother, I understand the importance of the Council,” he replied, his voice controlled, but there was an undercurrent of weariness in his tone. “But the situation
Chapter 31 - Her ResolveTanner leaned forward, his expression serious. “There is no easy answer, Your Majesty. But we need to consider all our options. Revealing Georgia’s existence at the Assembly could solidify your position, and show the others that you have a powerful ally by your side. But it could also provoke an attack, a direct challenge.”The room fell into a contemplative silence, the only sound the crackling of the fire in the hearth. Maxton’s mind raced as he weighed the options before him. He had always been a ruler who prided himself on his strength, and his ability to make tough decisions. But this… this was different. Georgia was different. He could not make hasty decisions without considering all options. He must prevent any loopholes in his plans for Georgia, and minimize the risk as much as possible. “She is not just a weapon,” Maxton said quietly, more to himself than to Tanner. “She is… more than that.”Tanner watched him carefully, sensing the internal conflict
Chapter 32 - Identified DrugThe night was deathly still, save for the frantic footsteps echoing through the corridors of the manor. Tanner ran first to inform the doctors and nurses to prepare while Maxton moved swiftly, almost running with Georgia’s limp form cradled in his arms. Her blood stained his hands, a few drops landing on the marbled floor and creating a trail and some servants stopped in their tracks, watching with evident worry on their faces. And it was their first time to witness their King in a torn state. The powerful, unshakable leader now found himself grappling with emotions he had not allowed himself to feel in years.As they burst into the manor’s private medical facility, Maxton’s voice cut through the silence like a blade. “Get the doctors! Now!” His command was laced with a mixture of desperation and authority, a tone that left no room for hesitation.The medical team, well accustomed to the urgency of their duties, immediately sprang into action. Georgia was