"This is all true, my beloved sister," King Elio added. "This woman is my mate." He looked at me as if I was his prized possession.A lie. A king will never be proud if his mate belonged to the servants. Especially if she came from his hated pack. "M-mate?""Yeah. I do not think it is your problem anymore."Miss Dacianna felt like she was going to faint at the sudden news. She clutched her chest while fanny herself. A part of me was elated at King Elio's acknowledgment, but another part did not want it."A mate from the Howling Pack? From Howling Pack? she asked again. "So, did you forget Eva? The pack killed your mate. My servants hated the pack because you despised them first."King Elio stiffened. "No one can make me forget her. Eva was my one true fated mate.""Same as this maid. Do you think Father will approve of this?"I did not see the former king, but rumors had said that he was more likable than his son. Loved by his people. They also said that Elio was the reason why his
LORA My chest felt heavy. My breathing was shallow. It felt like my body was on fire. This had been going on for nearly an hour. Because of this, I was contemplating whether I would knock on the Lycan King's room to tell him I was not feeling well or remain in my room, waiting when I will get better. If this continued, how could I perform well? Dang. I did not know what was happening, but the timing was already off. Why did it have to be now of all things? I had already taken my shower earlier and Beta Darius also had given me the clothes that I should wear later— a black crop top and tan shorts and sandals. There were also other clothes, but I preferred something comfortable to wear. This time. Maybe it was because of the fever. But if I was feeling well right now, I would wear something sexy which would make the Lycan King’s eyes bulge. The beta knew the type of items of clothing I preferred. Something men rarely do for me. Because I had no idea what I wanted, he asked the
KING ELIO "Lora," I called a couple of times while running towards the pack doctor’s clinic. My heart continued beating wildly against my ribcage. A guard called my name but did not look back. Or was it the beta? The woman forced herself to open her eyes. Nearly succeeding. “Y-Your Majesty?” she asked. “P-put me down.” “Do not talk anymore,” I answered. Her body temperature was that of lava. As if my body was her solace from the burning temperature, she snuggled closer to my body. Lora shivered. Again. Because of the cold. “A-Am I going to die?” she muttered. “Not unless I ordered you. Sleep. Save your strength.” Fuck. Where was the clinic again? I walked faster than lighting, the need to save her was like a mantra imprinted in my mind. I blamed it on my beast. He wanted me to save the woman. She felt so light against my arms. Tiny. Featherweight. However, her personality was the complete opposite. After a couple of turns left and right, I reached the clinic. There
"Your Majesty?" I asked when he did not answer anymore. "Would you be kind to let me know how I managed to get here?" The last thing I remembered was I slept and that I would wake at a certain time. But it turned out, I did not. My body could no longer keep up with my mind and shut down.However, last night, I dreamed that the Lycan King scooped me in his arms while calling my name. He was deeply worried for me. That made me realize it was a dream. Why would he be worried about me? For all I knew, his world only revolved around Eva. No one else. “By the way, my apologies that I did fail to come to you. But when I awakened, I was already here. Perhaps…you have an idea?”He faced me, while his jaw clenched. "I-It's the pack doctor. He brought you here." He could not meet my gaze. Odd. Elio was not the shy type. No longer my problem."Ah, okay. I should be thanking the pack doctor now. I felt better already. Did he have a hard time carrying me? I’m heavy."He nodded curtly. “He said yo
If there was something difficult to believe, that was the Lycan King taking care of me all evening. I meant, why did he do that? What was his reason? I was his servant. He was allowed to leave me, dying. My life was nothing to him. For all I know, he was not the type to care for other people except Eva. His beloved mate. The love of his life.So, when Beta Darius said King Elio did it for me, it was... unbelievable. A while ago, why did he not say anything when I said I would thank the pack doctor?"He never said anything when I said I will go to the pack doctor. For what reason are you saying that?""For you to detour and properly give thanks to him. Not the pack doctor. He sacrificed his sleep."Which reminded me.“D-did he changes me himself?” From what I recall, I was wearing a towel. But now, I was already wearing a shirt and trousers. I felt my cheeks flash. Did he see my naked body?‘Is that something to be worried about, Lora? Back then, you strip in front of him. Even if h
"You like seeing this?" I teased even more, which made Elio's face turn scarlet. "You should have told me you like holding my hand, Your Majesty, so I will always hold yours. It’s okay, right?"I bumped into his body. The Lycan King glared at me while I gave him an innocent look.Secretly, I continued glancing at our joined hands. It was scarred. The Lycan King's hand was calloused. Perhaps of the sword he held in going to battle and the endless practices he did. Maybe it was also because he was embarrassed that he pulled his hand away from me, but I gripped it tighter.“Let’s try to enjoy this, Your Majesty. Nothing harm will happen.”It was not…bad. Tiny bolts of electricity flew between our hands. Iris was on cloud nine, and I did not understand my emotions.I wanted to know His Majesty’s feelings. Did he like holding my hand or not? However, His Majesty was not vocal about his feelings. “What is the purpose behind this?”I shrugged my shoulders. “No purpose. I wanted to know th
“Inez!” I called while pounding at the door. She did not open up. “Inez!” I called again, but she was already deaf from my shouts. What the heck?To my annoyance, I kicked the door. “Damn it! “It’s not like I’m gonna kill you! Open up! I know you can hear me right now. All I am asking is a small favor from you. Why can’t you do that?”Crap!I knocked once again, hoping she would change her mind for the sake of me saving her ass back then. ‘Go away, please! I don’t want to talk to you. Just..leave me alone! If not, I will call the guards and tell them you are threatening me.”My eyes went wide. Threatening her? “All I am asking is Candice’s location. Why is it too difficult for you to do, huh? If you tell me the location, I promise. I will never approach you again.”Silence.I punched the wall.Shit!Why did this place always make my life difficult? Was the kingdom cursed? Someone shoved me away from the wall. I nearly fell to the ground. Almost.“Hey! Why are you harassing our fri
Beta Darius automatically turned around while removing his jacket and gave it to me. “Are you out of your mind?”“This is what I liked about you, Beta Darius. You are always ready to help me. And I super love all your jackets. They are sleek and classy. Are all of them expensive? Where did you buy them?”“Focus on the task,” he said through gritted teeth.I chuckled. “Relax. Is this your first time seeing a naked she-wolf? Don’t be embarrassed, Beta Darius. You’re getting cuter in my eyes, and you know that?”“You should be embarrassed, woman! Have some respect for yourself,” he scolded. “Stop teasing me. We are not this close. If His Majesty sees us, he will be furious.”I rolled my eyes. “Why would he? He never considers me as his mate, okay? I am free to do whatever I please. Whatever I like. His Majesty never put any restrictions on me, which I loved, by the way. So, he can continue not to acknowledge our bond.”Sometimes, this man reminds me of Father whenever he scolds me. “Why
One year later…Something was wrong with me.I had been noticing the changes in my behavior and I did not like it all. I was suddenly grumpy and sick at the same time. Something which made me panic. Elio was attending some business and I could not call him and tell him to come to me.“Your Grace. The sun is already out. You need to move your butt.”I glared at the woman in front of my bed. Candice. One year ago, the Lycan King had assigned Candice as my personal attendant. At first, I rejected the idea, but Elio kept on forcing me to have one. He was always saying that he did not want anything to happen to me again.If that would happen, he was afraid he could not control himself from killing anyone. Another bloodbath will take place, something I did not want to happen.“I’m not feeling well, okay?”“You haven’t eaten your breakfasts.”“Oh, please. I will eat anything if I am feeling well, but I am not.”“Did you eat something yesterday?”“That’s the problem, Candice. I haven’t eaten
Howling PackEli and I finally visited my pack. They prepared a lot and were excited to see us. It was Dad who welcomed us and the alpha beside him.They prepared signs welcoming us.I cannot help but feel giddy at their warm welcome.“We are grateful for your presence, Your Majesty,” the alpha exclaimed while his gaze darted in my direction. We shared a look, and his eyes were back to the Lycan King. I would never go back to the path I had chosen a couple of years ago. That was already a closed chapter of my life. I was no longer an assassin and a killer used by someone else.Later, I will ask for a private talk to the alpha. I want to tell him that I will be the one to tell the Lycan King about my past. I wanted it to tell him directly.“The pleasure is all mine.”Eli’s eyes scanned the surroundings and his eyes darted at the remnants of his fury. Burned buildings. Statues. Withered black trees. The alpha could tear down the burned buildings and replace them with something new, bu
One week had passed after that incident. I could say that I was healed already. Iris was making the best of her ability to heal my wounds and broken bones. After a week of bed rest, my body was brand new. “Stay still, Lora,” Eli ordered. He was reading some documents while guarding me. I tried to sneak and go outside, but he caught me and gave me a proper scolding telling me that I nearly died. This was my second life. I should have taken care of this one. No matter how many times I told him that I was already healed from my injuries, he wouldn't believe me. He refused to believe me. Eli filled me out with the details of what happened to Ayla. She was imprisoned behind bars. Rooting in the cold prison. Day and night, she was requesting His Majesty’s presence, asking for his kindness. I felt sorry for Ayla. Sometimes. But when I remembered my sister. Of how she was killed, my hatred changed my pity. Ayla already confessed to all the crimes she had committed and that his accom
85FLORA “LORA” HERNANDEZ Ayla? The fucking bitch was the culprit. Was she the one who also killed the others? Especially my beloved sister?She perfectly blended herself with the other servants. And the innocent she-wolves had no idea that a snake was with them.She smirked when I realized it was none other than her.Ayla clapped her hands like a kid. “Yes. You finally recognized me. I thought we would kill you without you recognizing your killer. Something I don’t want to happen, darling.”Damn.My hair hurts so much. She was pulling it forcefully.“Why are you doing this?” My voice sounded weak. My body felt like it was burning so much.“Simple. I don’t want His Majesty to be happy. He doesn’t deserve to be the king. I realized he valued his servants so much. But I did not understand why. Especially that Sabrina. Oh. I forgot. She was your sister.”I spat in her face.Her angelic smile was replaced with something demonic. “Shit!” She slapped my cheeks continuously until I could
Damn.That statement made sense. I had not made sure that Eli wanted to go there. What if he was indeed forcing himself? To my excitement, I never considered that thing. I was focused on bringing him to the pack without even thinking if he was okay with his decision or not.Still.I should gave Eli the benefit of the doubt. “I-I’m sure…it’s not the case. Eli had already forgiven the pack, wholeheartedly and wanted to give us a chance to show him how much we were sorry for what happened to Eva. He no longer hated us.”Because who in their right mind would visit a place in which he did not want to step foot?‘You better ask Eli about that. To make it clear, Lora.’‘You think I did not think about that? Will you stop bossing me around? It’s irritating, okay?’Besides, it was not only him who was hurting. We also had our own fair share of wounds. But the most important thing of all, we were starting to heal from the past. Noticing the hesitance on my face, Miss Dacianna smiled and decl
“You two are leaving?” I jumped, surprised to see Prince Albert suddenly popping out of nowhere. I was about to see Miss Dacianna to do an errand courtesy of His Majesty. Eli wanted me to talk to Dacianna about our plans of going back to Howling Pack so that the woman will be the one to inform the King.I just hoped he would give us his blessings. If not, I did not know anymore. I like that king and it would be better if he gave us his approval.Without thinking about the damage he did to my heart, Prince Albert continued, “Your Grace. I came here right away when I found out about it.”Indeed? But why did Beta Darius tell us that the one who informed him of us stepping down was the Council and this man? Who among them was telling the truth?‘Does it matter?’ Iris asked in my mind. ‘The mere fact that you and His Majesty will be returning to our pack mattered the most.’She was busy licking her paws while watching me.‘Do you think he still remembers?’‘Lora. When will you use your
Eli and I spent the next few hours preparing our things for our departure.Sighing, I gave our chamber a final look. This place had so many memories and I could not help but feel lonely at the thought of me and him leaving.“Wife. Are you done?”I blinked a couple of times and faced him.Grumbling, I muttered, “I don’t understand why we have to pack ourselves. We have servants, Eli.”It was not like I was lazy. It was only because I had no strength to do anything after the thought that we would be leaving the palace had finally sunk into my mind.“They will know I am leaving. It should be a surprise. Finally, I would be leaving them. They will rejoice, you will see.”Pouting I answered, “You sounded sure about it.”“I am certain. They are waiting for another king.” I taste the bitterness in his words. “Why? That bad? Perhaps you are wrong, Eli. Not all of them wanted to leave you. Take Candice for example. That woman is loyal to you.”“Except for her. I am talking about the others.”
My heart forgot how to breathe.This was what I was scared about. That Prince Albert will finally realize that we two had met before. What to do?I’m afraid I will be the reason why Eli would be ousted from his position as the king.Be calm. You can find a way to get out of the situation, okay?This fool had not realized anything. I must continue pretending that I did not know him.I chuckled. “Why would I be familiar to you? As far as I remember, we never had the chance to have a proper conversation before. Perhaps you are already mistaken, Prince Albert. We did not meet before.”His brows formed a straight line.“Indeed? But I cannot shake off the feeling that you are truly familiar.”I paled. Dammit. His eyes continued to question my statement. "I don't think—"“Nonsense. My wolf had an excellent memory. She will tell me if we meet or not. But right now, all she was saying is that we never encountered each other before.”“Oh, I see.” He bowed at me. “My apologies, Your Grace. I
It finally dawned on me that Inez died in my arms. However, I could no longer grieve about it since nothing could be done. My mind was already tired. Going back to our chamber, with the warriors on my back, my mind wandered to what had happened. I failed her. A couple of times. I closed my eyes as memories of her eyes continued to haunt me. No matter where I look, I always see the expression in her eyes. Her fear. Her shock. "Lora."I froze on the spot and sniffed the Lycan King's scent as it hit me hard. The warriors disperse upon seeing him. Maybe he ordered them to leave me. After one year, he finally showed up. After someone had already died? What a great timing. If he was not the king, I would think that he was the killer. I'm too tired to get angry at him. It was not worth it. I went past Elio and stepped inside our chamber, with him hot on my tail. "What happened?" he asked. I smelt no alcohol. He did not drink. Was true to his promise. But the mere fact that he did