Drusus POVIt was that monster, war, which just went and gnawed on the last morsel of Ghysem and the Southern Pack, oozing into all crevices, not leaving any single corner untouched. War—with scalding hot breath that charred everything to ruin, lives left shattered in its wake. I fought up front: my sword cleaving through chaos, my heart burning with ever greater resolve. The weight of my armor crushed upon my shoulders; heavier upon my soul was the weight of leadership.The whole thing blended into one fussy memory of the last days: the screams of the fallen, clashing steel upon steel, the hefty stench of death in the air. I remember vividly when we fought above the underground shelter, where our forces clashed with the Army of the Southern Pack that had settled there.Where its waters ran red from the blood, now churned and raged as a deathly torrent; heavy in iron and decay, playing an eternal macabre symphony inside my head.I remember, as distinctly as if it happened yesterday, h
Theophilus POVIt was almost as if this warren of tunnels did not know about the pandemonium above. Stone hallways continued on, turning this way and that, with some small corridors ill-lit by an infrequent torch. Every step was muffled, with its echo ringing off cold, wet walls. The air was heavy with damp earth, and there wafted through it an undertone of smoke from far-off impromptu kitchens scattered through the labyrinth beneath the ground. Those shelters were much more than safety; they were our lifeline in this infinite war—a tenuous refuge against the pounding attacks of the Southern Pack.My wife, Moana, followed with practised stealth behind me. Her steps, when they came, were little more than a soft whisper against the worn stone floor. Comforting, yet the utmost utility in possession, was the very thought of it. She would be capable of maintaining the fragile balance of our hidden world, well experienced as she was, now that we moved through the narrow paths. I tried to sp
Tom's POVIn the evening, illuminated by the light from the night sky, the moonlight was working through the thicket of trees and created an eerie light on the forest floor. My team of shapeshifters and I had been lying low, our ears pricked up for the slightest squeak or crunch of leaves. The night breeze was chill with a hint of the pine woods and the earth. The night could not have been more suitable for an attack.With the creeping sound of footsteps coming closer, we prepared for the ambush. A group of southern soldiers stepped out of the woody area, their whispers hanging in the air about their further actions. Instantly, we jumped at it without the blink of an eye. The sound of the clash of their steel and the shouts of men, surprise and pain interrupted the silence of the night. It was a short fight but intense and the team lost all of its members on the forest ground.This has been the team that their captain Volkov had sent.We acted fast, pulling the bodies to a secluded ar
Drusus POVThe sound of the swords clashing was ringing in my ears as I moved through the nearing dense thickets of the reinforcement forces. Adrenaline rushed through my veins, I felt it coursing through my body. Clenching the hilt of the sword in my hand I use it to attack soldiers from the Southern pack mercilessly. Most of them were no match for me.The smell of smoke and sweat filled the air, and as I breathed them in I was reminded of the game we were in. To kill or to be killed.Their growls and roars are that of anger towards me and my soldiers, nonetheless, I don't waiver. I advance, being blinded by the rage of the battle.“Forward!” I cried out loud and the soldiers followed in battle charging more into combat. The fire light which came as the result of the burning timber cast strong shadows on the firm faces of my companions whose eyes gleamed with blood thirst and vengeance. We were true warriors and the sparks of the battles we had to go through made us stronger. Nothin
Agnes POVWhen the night was over I woke up with a splitting headache and blurred vision. The floor was cold, solid, and dry unlike the warm comfortable arms of the sleepy effect that belonged to the tranquilizer I had just been administered. The mist in my brain cleared after a moment and I could see that I was not by myself. Glancing to the side a little, I noticed Adrianna sitting next to me and she looked as white as a sheet with eyes rounded in fear.“Adrianna,” I said hoarsely as I could barely muster enough voice in me. “What happened?”She looked into my eyes and then kept quiet. Her anger even without words weighed a ton more than the silence that oppressed the entire room. In beautiful black eyes, fear and confusion were written but she did not utter a word, her voice seemed to have been taken away from her.Almost instantly, the door opened and Audrey entered the room with her sickening laughter ringing off the stone walls. ”Oh, how touching!” she grinned, rolling her eyes,
Adrianna's POV"I guess I should be happy," she laughed through her tears and then sniffed. "That Adrianna is finally at my mercy, but I'm not."Curiously, I asked. "Why?""Then it means I'm weak," she chuckled. "And I'm letting the enemy win, I'm letting Audrey take control of me."She paused, changing her sitting position for the thousandth time. She did not seem to be comfortable with her sitting position. "I understand you the most Adrianna," she said with a friendly smile."No you don't," I said sharply, fighting my tears.Agnes was relentless. "Just like you, my family betrayed me as well. Who do you think sold me into slavery?" She asked.I didn't respond to her. "My mother told me to make the sacrifice for my siblings. My stepfather was the one who sold me and my mother watched him take me away.""And look at you now," I scoffed with an eye roll. "Don't try to act like you understand me," I snapped at her. "Oh please!" Annoyance flashed in her eyes. "You act like you have se
Castilla’s POV When the joyful face of my father graced my eyes, all I could muster was an unmasked hatred toward him. Ares the great warrior king was now as powerless as one could ever imagine. While our people shed their blood on the battle line, he wasted his energy on minor vices, lavishing his energy on sleeping with different women working in the palace every day. Women who were almost the same age as me. My father made my skin crawl, several times I wondered or had the fear he would force me to his bed.Larog's words echoed in my mind: “He wants to kill you, Callista, You are a menace to his position and he will certainly not hesitate." I wondered if his affection towards me was as false as what I now had towards him. Was he behaving this way to feel less guilty about the fact that he planned to kill me later?To get out of this predicament I had no other option than to attack first.The main dining hall was more like a sight out of a fairy tale with the candlelight which made
Third Person's POVA loud scream could be heard quite early in the morning coming from the king's chambers. It was feminine, followed by the clatter of chinaware on the floor. It was heard by almost no one except Larog who lay in bed beside Castilla. The guards around the king's chambers were fast asleep like someone had drugged them. The scream did not wake them up either, they simply lay there like a log, still and unmoving. Slowly, Larog crept away from the bed trying his best not to wake Callista. They had spent the night together, making love. He knew that what he had said about her father seemed to bother her so he had made her forget her thoughts last night with his touches. He walked through the palace that was dimly lit with torches and great intervals. The morning's air was chilly and felt eerie to him. As though he could feel a cold embrace. His heart was palpitating as he approached the king's room. He cocked his head suspiciously at the guards who lay on the floor now
It had been two years since Cyrus and Agnes got married in the enchanted garden. Their love had only grown stronger with each day. The palace was always filled with laughter and joy, all thanks to them. This morning, the sun shone softly, making everything look golden and magical.Agnes, with her big pregnant belly, was relaxing in their bedroom on a comfy chaise lounge. She was gently rubbing her belly, feeling the little kicks and movements from inside. They were both so excited to meet their twins soon.Cyrus walked in and immediately noticed Agnes. Despite her being tired from the pregnancy, she still looked beautiful. He went over to her, knelt down, and kissed her belly tenderly."Good morning, my love," he said softly. "And good morning to our little ones."Agnes smiled, her eyes sparkling with love. "Good morning, Cyrus. They've been really active this morning."Cyrus laughed quietly and put his hand on her belly. "Seems like they're eager to meet us."He gave her belly one la
The day of the wedding dawned with a golden glow, as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a warm, ethereal light over the palace grounds. The garden, which had been the site of Cyrus’s heartfelt proposal, had been transformed into an even more magical place. An archway covered in climbing roses marked the entrance, their petals a delicate blend of white and blush pink.Rows of chairs draped in ivory fabric lined the pathway leading to the grand gazebo, which was adorned with cascading flowers and soft, billowing curtains. The air was filled with the intoxicating scent of jasmine and lavender, mingling with the sweet fragrance of roses. Lanterns hung from the trees, their light flickering gently in the morning breeze, adding a touch of enchantment to the setting.Inside the palace, Agnes stood before a full-length mirror, her heart fluttering with excitement and nerves. The seamstress had outdone herself with the gown, creating a masterpiece that made Agnes fe
Cyrus has decided he was going to propose to Agnes and this time not as Agatha, but for who she really was; Agnes. Every detail had been meticulously planned. The garden, a secluded and serene spot within the palace grounds, had been transformed into a romantic haven. Lanterns hung from the trees, casting a soft, golden glow, and a pathway of rose petals led to a small gazebo draped in sheer, white curtains. The sound of a gentle stream nearby added to the enchanting atmosphere.Cyrus made his way to the garden, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Theo, walked beside him, offering silent support. They exchanged a brief nod before Theo slipped away, leaving Cyrus to await Agnes's arrival.Cyrus had informed Eunice, Adrianna, and a few other ladies of his decision. So the ladies had deceived Agnes there was going to be a tea in one of the palace gardens. Only for those with high class. Eunice had told Agnes that she was only heading the other slaves in prepari
Theophilus stood at the edge of the clearing, observing the scene before him. The war had left this part of the kingdom in shambles, but now, with peace restored, the arduous process of rebuilding had begun. The air was thick with the scent of earth and freshly turned soil as workers unearthed the entrances to the underground shelters where the people had sought refuge during the conflict.He walked through the village, greeting the townsfolk who were emerging from their subterranean hideouts. The once desolate and war-torn area was now a hive of activity. Men and women toiled side by side, lifting beams, hammering nails, and repairing the damage. Children, their faces smeared with dirt, played amidst the construction, their laughter a hopeful sign of better days to come.Theophilus paused at the entrance of one of the larger shelters, admiring the ingenuity and resilience of his people. The structure, hidden beneath a thick layer of earth and foliage, had provided safety and refuge d
Lady Asher's screams echoed through the dimly lit chambers of the southern palace, the sound waves reverberating off the stone walls. Sweat drenched her body, soaking through the linen sheets as she clung to the bedposts, her strength waning with each contraction. The midwives hovered around her, whispering words of encouragement, their hands steady and practiced as they guided her through the agony.The air was thick with the scent of herbs—rosemary and lavender—mingling with the coppery tang of blood, a primal smell that signaled new life. King Ares paced outside the room, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and anticipation. His footsteps echoed down the corridor as he awaited the arrival of his heir. The southern palace was bathed in moonlight, casting an ethereal glow over the proceedings.The night air vibrated with tension as the kingdom held its breath, awaiting the cry of the newborn prince. And then it came—the final cry, piercing the night. King Ares rushed inside, hi
The days passed in a haze of stolen moments and whispered promises, each encounter between Ashlynn and Ares leaving her breathless and yearning for more. Her heart ached with the weight of her secret, the burden of hiding her true feelings from the world.But on a day before she was to return to Ghysem, she realized something was amiss. Her monthly blood flow had not come, and a subtle queasiness had taken up residence in her stomach. Her heart pounded as she sought out Ares, her feet carrying her to his chambers with a sense of urgency.She found him poring over maps and documents, his brow furrowed in concentration. The scent of parchment and ink filled the air, transporting her to a world of ancient tales and forgotten lore. He looked up as she entered, a smile lighting up his face, illuminating the room."Ashlynn," he said, standing and crossing the room to embrace her. His arms wrapped around her, warm and reassuring, holding her close as if he'd never let her go."What brings yo
Lad—Ashlynn,” she said in a shaky voice, her words little more than a breath. She originally had meant to say her title, Lady Asher, but there was something about the warmth Ares was giving her that made her change her mind.Ares' eyes were shown in delight. "A beautiful name for a beautiful young lady!" he exclaimed, awed by her queenly form. Her midnight locks flowed down her back like liquid ebony, highlights of chestnut shimmering in the light. Her emerald eyes were so deep, it felt as though they could look into his very spirit.Their talk had flowed along easily, as water flows along a gently inclined plain. They had said nothing for hours.Not only did Ashlynn possess ravishing beauty, but her intellect, her passion for art, and the gentle strength she exuded intrigued Ares. Her laughter was music to his ears.Ashlynn was intrigued by the layers of Ares’ personality- his intelligence, his underlying kindness beneath his mantel of dominance, and the faint glimmer of vulnerabilit
A sad smile graced Lady Asher's face. She took in a deep breath and then wiped a nonexistent tear as her mind floated back to her younger days.The tension of the war that had separated the North from the South had eased up a bit. It was not forbidden for citizens of Ghysem to venture into the South or vice versa. It was during the winter, and Lady Asher Ashlynn's husband had been sent on an errand by the king.Life was beginning to bore her, and she did not want to feel like a burden to her friend, who was queen. Usually, she would spend her whole day with her best friend, but her friend had duties to attend to, and she often felt like she was in the way.Ashlynn had seen the whole of the North, and her curiosity often made her wonder about the depths of the South. When she was a teenager and the war had happened, she had lived in the North all her life, and her dreams of visiting the South were crushed.She did not have any children, so there was nothing to stop her. It was the perf
Soldiers had been dispersed all over Ghysem and the south which has now become a part of Ghysem. They had sent word to other neighboring packs in the West and East so there was no place for Lady Asher to hide. Each day was spent in anguish and constant nightmares for Cyrus. He kept seeing himself hanging from the ceiling with a black veil on his wrist. Other times, he would see Agnes; her face contorted in pain as she swung from the ceiling, a black veil tied around her wrist and anytime he cut the rope, trying to save her it would be too late.He would end up bringing down a lifeless body.Then he would wake up, covered in sweat and panting heavily like he was fighting a physical war. Tonight was one of those nights Cyrus was drenched in his sweat. His breathing was ragged and then his hands shaky with fear. He felt around the bedside table for a lantern and a match, then struck it to flame the lantern. He sat up properly this time and looked towards where Agnes lay, to be sure she