Cyrus's POV**The atmosphere was tense and the air was filled with the smell of the fight, of men and sweat, of blood and fire. The once-pristine walls now bore scars of chaos: shattered rock, broken timber, and broken pieces of all things around. We were in the middle of the dead soldiers and we all paused for a moment, panting, trying to catch our breaths. A complete and utter void filled the air, the only whispers of sound coming from the groans of the injured and the far-off ringing of metal.I looked at my friends and estimated how tired they were, as well as how tired I was myself. Agnes was as white as a sheet with dark circles under her eyes, yet she did not hesitate. Otherwise lively eyes, now had a ghostly appearance, the despair of which we had just experienced mirrored in them. Although their sunken eyes looked lifeless, they burned with determination. He was usually calm but now he looked tense with his movements being more articulate than usual. Adrianna stood stiff, her
**Lord Xeik's POV**A candle was lit on the wooden desk creating shadows on papers scattered all over the table in front of me. The quiet in the room was almost suffocating in a way, the only other sounds being the sound of paper being shuffled as I went through the pack’s accounts. As the new and temporary monarch, I had to understand what was going on in the pack thoroughly. It was a lot more work than being the war minister.I sat back in my chair, studying the very disarranged pile of papers on the table. These documents disclosed much more than these typical expense statements displayed. Beneath the rows of the paper of account and records, there were vague signs of something more diabolical. My mind began to put together the evidence and what I discovered left me feeling weak in the knees.There was one document I found interesting. It detailed regular payments to a town I had never heard of home for shape-shifting creatures within our territories. This surprised me because, acc
Cyrus POVIt was still early morning by the time I got back to the royal capital of what was left of Ghysem. The tension and the pervading stench of blood did not weaken my determination, though. I had been away too long. So much had happened when I left that I don’t know. There was Drusus in the throneroom looking tired, as his psyche had recently been through lots of combat.“It is good to see you, your Majesty," Drussus said with a bow. He was dressed in worn armor, that had the remains of the previous battle caked on it, as evidence of the non-stop battle he had persisted in.“Drusus,” I responded. "It is good to see you. Although it is rather obvious the war is taking its toll on you. Give me your report. I need to know everything.”He started explaining actions he had taken due to desperation. His voice remained quite calm as I knew he must be quite drained by now. "Since you had left, the Southern Pack have become more dirty in fighting. Their shape-shifters sneaked into our m
Tom's POV “Why do you have to go there in person, Captain?” Marcus asked. He was one of the southern soldiers that usually had the most questions. "Surely there must be one of us who could help you relay the message for you."I slightly quirked a brow as I kept my expression tough like Volkov. "We've lost many men. That is a very important mission and I do not wish to endanger any of you any further than has already been necessary. The message has to go through, and I have to be sure that the war minister and king who sent me on this errand can understand well enough."I could see my men look at each other but they quickly agreed to what I had suggested. I picked Marfeh and another shapeshifter I knew, a man named Liam to join me. Together we left the camp and started our journey to the South. The trip through the forest was relatively very silent. The chill of the air was countered by fragrances of forest and earth as the only noises were the quiet crunching of the fallen foliage b
Xeik's POV The morning twilight came in through the tall windows of my study, and even though the windows were wide open and the weather was bright and sunny, it was as if some unknown physical force, only the glow close to the edges of the darkness oppressing my mind. The light that was present seemed to falter against the darkness in my mind, the same way that the wind tries to blow away the fog. I walked back and forth, back and forth anxiously. Nothing made sense to me and it felt like my world was collapsing. I honestly wished I had never found anything out, I wished I had not been chosen as temporary monarch. The things I had found out last night tortured me—secret notes to an ally somewhere, receiving stolen money from Ghysem, having a base where shapeshifters were kept for them to be used and I could not forget the black veil that was on King Ares’ wrist. The visions remained fresh as scar. The more I thought about it, the clearer it appeared to me that I needed more informa
**Tom’s POV**As the sun started to rise and warm orange hue sprinkled the room I was given to sleep in. I knew it was time to go back to Ghysem. The fact that I was in the enemy's territory, pretending to be one of them had not let me sleep, my thoughts wove schemes and schemes of lies that formed a single maze in my mind.As I set out, with a new army behind me, a perfect aroma of flowering plants and birds called in the distance. My horse's steps seemed to be more nimble, weighted by the desperate need to push on. It felt as if every shadow in the forest knew the secret I had within me. It was silent other than the sound of the leaves, cracking beneath our horseshoes.Huge trees stood all around, their tops reaching for the heavens as if it were a temple built by the moon goddess herself with the sunlight coming through in spots on the forest floor. The ground was a woodland floor with a bed of fallen leaves.Once we got to Ghysem, I settled the men in and briefed them once more. A
Lord Xeik's POV"Oh," I mumbled, relaxing a little. Then suddenly my defenses heightened, what if Castilla was the one responsible for burning the papers? What if she knew about her father's involvement with shapeshifters, stealing from the South, and whatnot? I dismissed the thought from my mind as quickly as it came, feeling guilty. It was not like King Ares ever included her in decision-making. She did not even attend the early morning briefing that her father had with the noble lords each morning. "May I come in?" Her soft voice floated through the air."Of course," I stuttered, adjusting my robe. "You can come in my lady."The door creaked open slowly. She had a small smile etched on her face as she walked in. Castilla was undeniably beautiful. Her eyes were a warm blue color and her long black hair cascaded down her shoulders. She was wearing a long black dress cinched at the waist and I could not help but stare at how beautifully her body curved in those clothes. Getting a hol
Tom's POVI returned to the camp base quite late at night. The moon was surprisingly bright, illuminating every detail of the night. It cast the shadows of the trees of the nearby forest onto our camp. From a distance, I could hear the light snores of the southern soldiers, exhausted by the journey from the south to Ghysem. A few of them roamed the area to guard against our soldiers from the north. I had put on the appearance of Volkov as I neared the area. "You are back, captain." One of them had sighted me from a distance. He rushed over to greet me. "We had grown quite worried but did not want to leave the base.""Why would you be worried?" I asked without even a slight smile. From the time I had observed Volkov, I knew that he rarely smiled. He was a man who took every bit of life seriously as if he constantly had to prove himself to everyone. His discipline was behind control and he seemed very strict with his men. "I am quite alright.""Did you perhaps take a walk to clear you
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