Chapter 62 - Make Them Believe You
“Strength without loyalty is still strength,” Andor muttered under his breath.
He stopped near a group of soldiers who were engaged in combat training, their swords clashing with violent force. Sparks flew as metal hit metal, their faces devoid of emotion, and the only sound that escaped their lips was the grunts from the exertion of their movements. The ground beneath them was scorched and torn apart from the sheer brutality of their sparring.
Andor turned to the rest of the soldiers scattered across the field. “You are not just soldiers! You are the vanguard of a new era!” he shouted, his voice booming across the training grounds. “Harrion has given you the power to destroy those who stand against us. The Soulbane Drug strengthens you, and the Bloodstone Amulet bind
Chapter 63 - Leading the WarThe Haonen River flowed fiercely in the distance, its roaring currents served as the Southern Region’s first line of defense. The land beyond it, once lush and quiet, was now a warzone in waiting. Maxton stood next to Severus, the son of King Regulus who came in place of his father for this war since King Regulus was already too old to be in a war. Their gaze was fixed on the dense woods while they waited in a clearer ground with their forces, waiting for the arrival of Harrion’s although there were already a number of soldiers hidden in the thicker part of the woods to attack the middle battalion of Harrion when they entered the Southern lands.Maxton clenched his fists. “She’ll be at the front,” he said, more to himself than anyone else. “He’ll send her to break us.” His stomach twisted at the thoug
Chapter 64 - His Death Freed Her“Maxton, if you do not act now, more will die!” Severus shouted over the chaos. The battlefield was a mess of blood and broken bodies, but all Maxton could see was her — Georgia, standing in the center of the devastation, her silver eyes gazing over her enemies, cold and merciless.He knew Severus was right. He had to make a decision, had to act before more of his men fell. Maxton grabbed his dagger while he contemplated. He thought to himself, asking himself if Georgia would be willing to live knowing that she had taken innocent lives. But would that decision lie in his hands? Could he spare her from the misery of knowing that she had taken innocent people? Would she want to live after all these? Could he take that burden off of her?“Maxton! ” Severus called again, his swor
Chapter 65 - Her Wrath"Maxton!" Georgia’s voice echoed in her head, but no words left her lips. Her entire body trembled as fury, unlike anything she had ever felt before surged through her veins. The chains that had bound her to Harrion’s control shattered, their grip torn apart by the overwhelming force of her rage. Her silver eyes, once cold and empty, now burned with madness and pain.Everything around her was a blur. The battlefield faded, the chaos drowned out by the sound of her own heartbeat pounding in her ears. All she could see was Maxton — bleeding, broken, his body crumpling on the ground. His blood soaked into the earth beneath him, and the sight of it, the scent of it, drove her over the edge.Boulders, arrows, daggers, and swords, anything that had fallen to the ground, began to lift into the air around her. The power co
Chapter 66 - Peace and DeathThe battlefield fell silent as Harrion's lifeless body crumpled to the ground. Harrion’s men, who had been under the grip of the amulet, froze where they stood motionless. Their weapons clattered to the ground, and the fire in their eyes was gone, leaving them like hollowed shells, unable to act, yet not freed from the soulbane drug coursing through their veins.The battle was over, and now Georgia had to face her reality.Her eyes drifted from Harrion’s broken form to Maxton. He lay still on the blood soaked earth, his body barely clinging to life. The bond between them, faint but still present, told her he was not gone. Not yet.Georgia’s heart clenched as she rushed to his side, falling to her knees beside him. “Maxton. . . ” she whispered, her voice cracking w
Chapter 67 - She’s GoneTanner stood at the entrance of the medical camp, watching in silence as the trucks arrived one after another, carrying the wounded from the battlefield. Severus was beside him, his face set with a frown as he was sitting on a chair while his wounds were getting cleaned and bandaged by a nurse. The distant sound of soldiers groaning, medics shouting orders, and the incessant beeping of medical equipment filled the space. They had won the battle, but the cost had been high. Too many lives were lost, and too many were still hanging on the edge.Maxton was among the injured, lying unconscious in one of the trucks as it pulled up to the camp. His body was pale, and his chest was barely rising and falling in shallow breaths, but he was alive. Tanner’s eyes never left Maxton’s, the war had ended and the Western region needed him, he must live.
Chapter 68 - Gift From The SeaThe waves crashed against the shore of Havalu Island with the sound of the waves rumbling across the white sands of this small and isolated piece of land where nature ruled and the touch of modernity had barely settled. The sun had barely begun to rise, casting a faint bluish glow across the sky, when the fishermen spotted something unusual carried by the crashing waves."Oi! There is someone out there! " one of them shouted, his voice breaking through the quiet dawn. His companions rushed over, their feet sinking into the wet sand as they squinted toward the object, now barely visible in the morning mist.It was not driftwood, nor was it the debris of a shipwreck. As they drew closer, they realized it was a human body, a woman — unconscious and bruised and wounded with several scratches from hitting
Chapter 69 - Awaken at Havalu IslandGeorgia awoke with a sharp gasp, her chest heaving as if she had been pulled from the depths of a terrible nightmare. Her eyes fluttered open, but the world around her felt blurred, distant, and unfamiliar. The soft light that filled the room flickered from oil lamps that hung on the walls, their fiery glow casting faint shadows that danced across the wooden floor. Her head pounded, and her body felt heavy and weak, as though it had been dragged through the ocean itself.She blinked, her mind struggling to catch up with reality. Where was she? What had happened?The last thing she remembered was the raging river, the battle, Maxton’s blood dripping into the earth, and her getting tossed by the current underwater. She knew she had drowned, lost consciousness… she thought she had died. She
Chapter 70 - The West Will Rise AgainAs Tanner walked through the woods arriving at the Western Palace, the Westerners passing by and watching his arrival either nodded or bowed their head in acknowledgment of his presence. They had already heard the news that their King Maxton was severely injured in the war and was still currently in the Southern Palace getting treated. Hence, it was Tanner’s responsibility to step up while Maxton was away, as the second in command, the Beta and most trusted ally and best friend of the Western King.Tanner took a deep breath, his gaze shifting to the soldiers working tirelessly to restore the palace grounds to what they were before Harrion attacked. They were doing everything they could to rebuild and repair anything and everything that was broken, to prepare for Maxton’s return.Jason had
Chapter 108 - The HeirGeorgia’s breaths were uneven and beads of sweat glistened on her brow and her face was contorted with pain and exhaustion. The midwife calmly gave quiet instructions to her as she worked to support her deliver the baby. Maxton was at Georgia’s side, holding her hand, and it was evident in his face both awe and concern for his mate.“You’re doing incredible,” he whispered in her ears, reminding her that he was there for her. His hand gripped hers tightly, as she squeezed back, greeting her teeth as she listened to the midwife. But she managed to respond to him. Georgia managed a small smile through the haze of pain and exhaustion. “I’d like to see you try this and then call it ‘incredible,’” she retorted.Maxton chuckled, though his laughter was laced with nervous energy. “I would fail miserably. That’s why I’m right here, cheering you on.”The midwife glanced up. “It’s time, Your Majesty. One more push.”Georgia closed her eyes, summoning every ounce of streng
Chapter 107 - Coronation and Promises“Are you ready for this?” Maxton asked, his hand tightened slightly around Georgia’s as they stood behind the grand golden doors of the palace’s throne room.Georgia drew a slow breath, her fingers instinctively brushing against the fabric of her coronation gown. It was elegant, shimmering with fine threads of silver and gold, symbolizing her role as the bridge between strength and grace. She met Maxton’s gaze, her heart pounding beneath her ribs as she replied. “Ready or not, there’s no turning back now.”A faint smile tugged at his lips as looked at her with huge pride and affection. “You’ll be magnificent,” he said, his thumb gently brushing the back of her hand.The sound of the crowd beyond the doors grew louder, a mixture of excitement and anticipation filling the air. The Royal Master of Ceremonies stepped forward, nodding at Maxton and Georgia. “It’s time.”The doors swung open with a resonant creak, revealing the throne room, transformed
Chapter 106 - Proposing CoronationGeorgia’s bare feet touched the cool, trimmed grass of the palace gardens as the late afternoon sun cast golden light across the vibrant blooms. Her fingers brushed against the petal of a rose as she walked slowly beside Maxton.“Careful,” Maxton said softly, his hand instinctively moving to support her elbow when she stumbled with her still weak knees. His gaze never left her, he was concerned at her still recovering condition and with her carrying their child. However, despite his worries, he was supportive of her and never prevented her from venturing outside the safety and security of the manor. Today, they were in the palace as she craved for a new view and had been bored staying in the manor.“I’m fine,” Georgia replied with a faint smile, glancing up at him. “I need this.” She looked back at the path ahead which was an aisle of garden flowers.Maxton’s eyes flickered to her hand that instinctively brushed her abdomen, and his expression softe
Chapter 105 - Gifts and RosesGeorgia’s eyelids fluttered open as she moved her fingertips. Her body ached faintly, and the first thing she realized was the warmth of a hand clutching hers. She immediately realized that it was Maxton given the sudden rush of thrumming in their mate bond, making her feel more alive despite what she had gone through.“Georgia,” Maxton uttered, surprised at the sudden movement of her hand that he was holding. He leaned closer to see her with his filled with relief.She blinked, her throat dry, her lips parting as if to speak, but no sound came. Before she could try again, Maxton was already pressing a glass of water to her lips. “Here,” he murmured gently, tilting the glass just enough for her to sip.The cool water soothed her parched throat. “What happened?” she rasped with her voice weak still weak.“You were poisoned in the restaurant.” he said, “But you’re safe now and that’s all that matters.”She frowned slightly, trying to piece together fragment
Chapter 104 - MercyMaxton gripped the phone tightly as the voice on the other end confirmed what he had been waiting to hear for hours. “We’ve apprehended the suspect, Your Majesty. The perpetrator is being transported to the palace as we speak.”His jaw tightened as he exhaled in relief yet contained fury. “Bring them directly to the throne room. I want this handled swiftly.”“Yes, Your Majesty.”Maxton hung up, tossing the phone onto his desk. For Georgia. For their unborn child. For the stability of the kingdom. This would not be swept under the rug like some minor infraction, it would be a lesson, a warning to anyone foolish enough to challenge the Crown.“Tanner,” Maxton barked, his Beta standing at attention by the door.“Yes, Your Majesty?”“Prepare the throne room. I want this dealt with in a manner befitting the gravity of the crime. And make sure word spreads, let the public know justice is being served.”Tanner nodded sharply. “Right away.”~~~At the far end of the throne
Chapter 103 - A Unifying Statement From The CrownMaxton froze, at the news, his heart hammering in his chest and his emotions were a swirling mix of hurricane. He was happy, delighted to have a baby, an heir to the throne, but at the same time, he was hell worried about his mate and unborn child’s status."Pregnant?" The word barely left his lips, as he was in a mix of disbelief and shock. His hand instinctively gripped the back of the nearest chair, tightly until his knuckles were white. "She's pregnant?" he repeated, as if he could not believe what was happening.Dr. Reid nodded to confirm. "Yes, Your Majesty. We just confirmed it moments ago. It’s very early, around six weeks, I’d estimate."A cold wave of panic and anger surged through Maxton, his breath coming faster as his mind raced. "And the poison?" he demanded, trying to calm down."What about the poison? Is it harming her… or the baby?"Dr. Reid’s lips pressed into a thin line. "That’s what we are currently working to deter
Chapter 102 - Poisoned and PregnantThe sound of Maxton’s footsteps echoed in the long corridor outside the manor’s medical wing as he went back in to check on her. His jaw was clenched, and his hands were balled into fists at his sides. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Georgia, fragile, and pale, her body seizing uncontrollably in his arms. Maxton entered the room and did not bother to wait for the doctor to call him. “What’s happening now? Is she stable?”The doctor met Maxton’s panicked gaze. “She’s stable for now,” he said, pulling off his gloves. “But the situation is serious. There are clear signs of poisoning. We’re running more tests to determine the exact substance.”Maxton felt a cold rage settle over him, masking the fear that threatened to overwhelm his thoughts. “Poison,” he repeated. “How?”The doctor sighed, gesturing toward the room where Georgia lay unconscious. “Most likely ingested. Whatever it was, it acted slowly, giving us enough time to intervene. She is o
Chapter 101 - Blood and SeizureThe woman’s words hit Georgia like a thunderclap, reverberating in the pit of her stomach.“You think you deserve to sit there and pretend you’re one of us?” The woman’s voice carried over the stunned silence of the rooftop restaurant. “You’ll never be queen — never!”Maxton stepped forward with a rigid posture, shielding Georgia from the woman’s line of sight. “That’s enough,” he said firmly, but his voice only seemed to fuel her anger.“Don’t tell me what’s enough!” she shouted, her trembling hands now clenched into fists. Her face displayed a combination of grief and fury, while her eyes darted past him to Georgia. “You killed my husband! You took everything from me, and now you expect us to bow to you?” she snarled.Georgia’s breath caught, her chest tightening as if the air had been sucked from the terrace. She could not move, couldn’t speak. Her hands trembled in her lap, hidden under the table as she clung to the edge of her seat, frozen with the
Chapter 100 - Dinner & Accusations“Why do I feel like I am going to war?” Georgia muttered, tugging at the hem of her dress as she stood before the full length mirror. Her reflection stared back at her — a woman in a sleek, deep green dress that hugged her figure without being overly revealing. The gown was elegant and modest enough that she did not feel completely out of place, yet the way it highlighted her curves made her feel exposed in a way she was not used to. Her chest felt tight, her stomach twisting, and every part of her wanted to bolt back to the comfort of her chambers, but she stood there feeling foreign and unfamiliar at the girl staring back at her. “You look stunning,” Maxton complimented from behind, making her turn around to face him.She glanced toward the door, finding him leaning casually against the frame. His tailored shirt, left slightly unbuttoned at the collar, and dark slacks gave him an air of effortless sophistication. Yet it was not the clothing that c