~AZALEA~“I suppose you are the desperate one the King has made his mate. And I also heard that you're human, interesting.” The stranger said boldly, slipping her hand into her hair and brushing it backwards.I could sense threat, danger. This woman wasn't smiling. She looked mean like there was something I might have done to her in the past, but frankly, I couldn't even recognize who she was.I couldn't remember having anything to do with her in my entire life. Confusion etched through my veins, and I was still trying so hard to figure out who she was and why she was sizing me up in that manner.I maintained my composure, standing firm and giving her no reason to see through my confusion. “Who are you?” I asked.“You really want to know who I am, huh.” She grinned from ear to ear, her presence taking on an intimidating aura.If a stranger walked in and saw the both of us together, they would surely mistake her for my boss who possibly even owned the house, because of how confident s
~AZALEA~August didn't budge. He knelt before me, stopping me from moving an inch close to the exit. “Please Azalea, hear me out. This woman here has only come to destroy what we have built, can't you see?” He said, a glint of desperation in his eyes, but that was not enough to convince me and stop me from leaving.I remained adamant, holding on firmly to the few things I had picked to leave. Just then, laughter filled the air, and turning, the strange woman accosted me, smiling mischievously.“The Alpha's favorite.” She said, teasing. A smile crept up in her lips, but there was something off about her smile that made me wary of her.She closed in on me, her breath hitting my face. Before she could proceed to whatever she had in mind, August quickly stepped in, blocking her path from min.“Don't you dare!” He roared, pushing her slightly. Then he turned to face me, grabbing my hands in his. “Azalea, please listen to me. You don't have to leave over this little misunderstanding.”My e
~AZALEA~I could feel it in his gaze—the worry stretching through those eyes. He looked worn out, like he had just completed a marathon race.I waited patiently for his words, staring into his eyes like a lost lamb waiting to meet its owner. Then he cleared his throat, breaking the choking silence.“I'm sincerely getting worried about all the troubles looming over this pack.” He said, sighing deeply. His eyes wandered afar off, like he was lost in a trance.He remained still, gazing into thin air and saying nothing else. He held my hands for comfort, and at that instance, his gaze returned to me.I nodded, encouraging him to go ahead with what he had to say. “Azalea, I seriously do not want to bother you with the pack's troubles. It is more than you can control.”“And who says you are bothering me, August? This is where I belong right? Don't I deserve to know what happens around and outside here?” I asked.For a moment, I just stared at him, my heartbeat accelerating as I studied hi
~AZALEA~My heart raced with unanswered questions as I waited for August to step out and tell me this was all a prank.He had left the packhouse, but I never expected him to have returned with Zoe. I thought he said he never liked her. I paced about restlessly, my mind racing with endless thoughts and what-ifs.While I was still trying to figure out what to do next, the door screeched open and Zoe stepped out, striding majestically towards me like she owned the house.She let out a menacing smile, arms crossed. “I see the king's favorite is having a great time staying here all alone. I thought you were going to join us for some fun.” She said, her voice dripping with mockery.My jaw clenched and the anger in me boiled. I was trying so hard not to do something stupid to her.I looked on silently, masking my anger with a subtle frown. Zoe really had some guts to stand before me and say those words to me. But that was not the point right now. The fact still remains that August was in t
~AZALEA~“You are going nowhere, Azalea. Step back!” He yelled, his hand clutched firmly around my neck. I gasped for air, screaming endlessly for help but none came. He eventually left me, but not before he had made sure that the gates were locked and out of my reach.“Last I remember, you are still my mate. You are mine and nothing or no one can stop that!”“You already have Zoe, of what use am I to you?” I asked, tears already filling the brim of my eyelids. He grabbed my wrists firmly, and I struggled to get out of his grip, but all efforts seemed futile. “Let me go! I no longer want to be with you.”“In your wildest dreams, sweetheart.” His loud voice filled the air. Merely staring at him, I couldn't help but shudder in fear. Everything seemed to have changed about him. He was no longer the sweet Alpha I used to know and love back in the days.He looked more like a stranger to me right now—someone I couldn't even tell what his next move would be.His eyes narrowed and he furrowe
~AUGUST~I ran out of the manor as soon as I heard the guard's announcement. As I left, I couldn't help but wonder what the problem might be this time.Upon arriving at the gate, my eyes widened at the person standing before me. Gray was standing right in front of me, and the most surprising part of it all was that he didn't look like he had come to cause trouble.He was as calm as a storm, and I couldn't help but stare at him in awe. “Gray?” I muttered slowly, trying to be sure I wasn't actually dreaming. He nodded, a welcoming smile on his lips. He stretched his hand for a handshake and I immediately grabbed his hand, not thinking twice.“May I come in?” He asked, gesturing towards the entrance. “Of course! After you.” I said in excitement as I made the way for him to pass. I was quick to notice the shocked expression on Azalea's face the moment Gray walked into the manor. She fidgeted, hands trembling as she suddenly lowered her head.To my utter surprise, Gray ignored her com
~AZALEA~My eyes traveled from where Gray was, then to August, my heart racing with fear. How was I supposed to explain to them that he was one of my father's workers? They would surely rip me apart for being related to their killers.I gulped hard, noticing August's hands clenched into fists. I was aware of the fact that he now despised me badly, following Zoe's reappearance into his life.I lowered my head and took a second glance at the corpse, terror washing over me. Realizing the kind of trouble I would put myself into if I attested to the fact that I knew who this man was, I came to the conclusion that I would deny him.That seemed to be the only way out of this looming trouble. There was no way they would find out if I lied to them, right?“I don't know who this is.” I said, masking my initial fear with boldness.August exchanged puzzled glances with Gray, their faces shone with disbelief.Doubt was written all over August's face, but he chose not to go further with the questio
~AZALEA~He turned to face me, a mischievous smile creeping on his lips. “From the picture which I have just shown you all, it's obvious Azalea here is related to the man in the picture. And since the man in question is a human hunter, I suspect she is working with him underground, and is obviously planning to get us all captured.”The hall erupted into a loud noise as everyone turned their gazes on me, their mouths wide agape.It felt like the whole world was crumbling on me as their stares lingered around me.I slowly turned to face August, and I was met with the coldest reaction I have ever received.His face stiffened, his jaw clenched in anger as his eyes remained glued to me. “Azalea, is this true? Tell me this is all a joke.” He yelled, anger seeping through his voice.I was both ashamed and frightened by his words. I lowered my head in fear, unable to clear my name off these accusations, because they were actually true.But how was I ever going to say that to them? How was I g
~Gray~As I remembered Zoe's words, I knew I had no choice but to say what I had in mind. Who knows, Bruce might just be of help in the best way possible. And clearly, I needed his help more than I ever have.“I’m out on my way to have her and every single thing that belongs to me which August has taken from me. I can't afford to sit back and watch him have it all.” He sucked in a deep breath, his gaze menacing and at the same time, oddly calm. His brows furrowed as his dark eyes bored into mine.“Is that so?” He quizzed, his voice barely a whisper. He took a step forward, his bold frame towering over me. “Do you realize Azalea also belongs to me? What do you intend to give to have her?”I froze on the spot, his words echoing in my head. “I… I thought—” I choked out when I heard his cocky voice.“Thought what? That I would leave her for you on a platter?” He quizzed, his voice dripping with amusement. He shook his head and cupped my jaw, tilting my head up to face him. “Listen to me
~Gray~Left to me, I would never have thought of taking this route, but they left me no other choice.Azalea and August would surely not succumb to whatever I say unless I took it the hard way. Well, maybe they would come to their senses this time and realize that I will always have an edge over them.Now I have the support of the grand alpha, and not just that, I also have them both at my fingertips, making it easy for me to crush them at will.As soon as I was out of the prison room, I went out to feast with Zoe. How could I possibly forget her? She has been a crucial part of this journey right from time, and it's only right that I take her along in every aspect.Thankfully, I met her right before the king's throne room. From the look on her face, I could tell that she had also been searching for me.“How's she coping? I hope she won't be a threat to us later on?” She asked, a bit of skepticism etched across her face.I offered her a warm smile, hugging her to myself. “Of course not
~Azalea~Amidst the heated argument between August and Gray, strong hands grabbed me from behind, pulling me forcefully out of the scene. A rough palm covered my mouth before I could scream. My heart pounded as I kicked and struggled, but the person holding me was too strong. I was hauled into a waiting vehicle, and before I could dare to raise an alarm, the vehicle zoomed off, its tyres screeching on the tarred floor.After so many minutes of moving, the car finally came to a halt, stopping in front of a strange building.The doors opened and I was pulled out, kicked towards the open gates of the building.Everything about the building spelt danger—confusion.The men held my hands firmly, their grip so tight that I could barely feel my fingers. Then they led me into a room—an empty room.As we stepped into the room, I was completely caught off guard as I beheld the person standing before me.Gray?What the hell is he doing here? Studying his face, I instantly sensed something was o
~August~It's sickening to realize that Gray had taken virtually everyone from me, including the maids and the guards. And the part which broke me was the fact that he didn't stop there; he went ahead to capture Azalea, leaving me with practically nothing and no one.My beta was literally the only one I had left, and even at that, it felt like the whole world was against me. It felt like I was all alone, forced to face all these troubles on my own.When I was back to my palace, Henry, the butler came running towards me. Apparently, he had been hiding behind the palace all this while.His breath came out in ragged gasps, his eyes flashing with anguish. “Alpha, it's a good thing you're back. Alpha Gray just left quite some hours ago and I overheard him discussing with some elders that your company must be blacklisted. He has succeeded in turning everyone's heart against you by lying to them that you tried to kill him for exposing your mate before everyone. And now, the elders had come i
~August~Before I could ask her anything, she zoomed off without notice. Just then, the palace maid returned. Her eyes flashed with excitement as she took in my frame.“Woah! How is this even possible?” She asked, her voice evident with confusion. I couldn't fathom what she was talking about until she pressed her nails into my skin–the places where I was injured.I sucked in a deep breath, surprised that I wasn't feeling any pain as usual. “What just happened? How am I not feeling any pain anymore?” I asked, turning to the maid who looked just as confused as I was.In a fleeting moment, she grabbed my wrist without thinking twice. “We need to leave here right away. I just passed by the palace and I saw some elders gathered around. I have a feeling Alpha Gray is about to say something mischievous to them.”My breath caught in my throat. Then, suddenly, my body moved on its own. I dashed out of the hut, racing fiercely towards the palace.I had barely covered a little distance when I ca
~August~Azalea was yet to return after a long hour of being away from the ward. Each minute, my eyes were traveling to the door side for any sign of her, but she wasn't forthcoming. I finally gave up waiting. Maybe the Alpha King has succeeded in brainwashing her and giving her enough reasons to abandon me right there on the hospital bed.It wasn't her fault anyways. If I hadn't betrayed her for a worthless and vile woman, this would never have happened in the first place.My heart was filled with regret, and all I could think of was a way to win her over for a second time. If I eventually do, I swear I won't let her off this time.The door burst open all of a sudden, and at once, I turned my gaze in that direction, eager to see Azalea walk in through the door. But I was greatly disappointed when the doctor stepped in instead.He marched straight to my bedside, having some nurses behind him who had some files in their hands.He wore a sad look, making me fear I was going to be dead
~Azalea~As soon as I stepped into the doctor's office, I was stunned to meet Bruce instead. He blocked my path, his countenance a clear evidence of how furious he was. But why the hell was he upset? Did he really expect me to leave August right there to die? I know August had wronged me so many times in the past, but that was still not enough reason to let him off just like that. He clearly needed my help—our help.Before I knew what was happening, Bruce grabbed my hands, lifting me effortlessly towards the doctor's table. He forced me to sit, and when I did, he clenched my face, his eyes burning with rage. I was so terrified because I have never witnessed this side of him before.“You still love him, don't you?” He asked, his gaze suddenly melting, like he was broken. My jaw dropped. “What?” How could he even think of such a thing about me? “What's the meaning of this? Don't tell me you're jealous because of a simple gesture I rendered to a helpless person.”“Your ex lover you mea
~August~“Okay? How about them?” Bruce asked, stealing glances at Azalea. There was something about Azalea's countenance that suggested that she wasn't really surprised anyways. Of course, she wouldn't be. I could remember vividly she had warned me about them, but all I did was take her words as a joke. So I never even expected her to display any form of surprise.I could see the sudden interest spewing from Bruce's gaze, and that gave me an edge to be confident and say what I had to say.“Zoe is not who you think she is.” I began. Bruce crossed his arms, his brows creased with enthusiasm as he adjusted his stance. “Okay, this is what happened. Remember when you locked me up in your dungeon for days. By the time I was released and returned back to my palace, I realized that everything had been turned upside down.”“How?” Bruce and Azalea chorused at the same time, cutting in abruptly.Their enthusiasm was palpable, and I couldn't stop thanking them in my heart for paying attention to
~August~After that encounter with Azalea in the woods, I still couldn't get my mind off her. I know I had wronged her so many times in the past, and sincerely, I was ready to make up for everything I had done to her, including when Zoe was still in the picture.The fact that Zoe and Gray had actually connived between themselves to deceive me and have my pack all to themselves was not just disturbing but also unbelievable.Like how the hell could they even think of such a thing after everything I had done for them?Now I know my palace and my pack at large was at stake, and if nothing is done on time, they might as well succeed in everything they've been planning all this while.The only right thing I could do right now was to seek help, and the only person who was capable of helping me out in this kind of situation was King Bruce.He had a lot of connections and power to himself which would give me an edge over Zoe and Gray, thereby reclaiming that which rightfully belongs to me.But