Lyra's POVI felt my whole body sink into the tempting xkaws of fear. My body ached, my legs went weak as I stared at thw door watching Tristan and thw sky smile on hia face.I kmew better than to assume that hebwas only bluffing because inhave exoreinced first hand how he kept tonhis words. There was nothing that woukd keep him from doing what he intended to do. And with this smile on his face thia deathky grin that he wore; a smile that showed his perfect teeth structure, the charming white color od his teeth anf the beautufual vurvature of hia lips.Though he possesed these features that woykd make him an undeniabke beauty, but when one glanced at him, all I coykd see was the atrocities he poured to the world, the pain he caused people around him and how eveil he was in his heart."I know you believe me when I say something like that" he said, "I've never been one to lie and you know it"."Tristan!" I cried, tears flowing from my eyes, "what donyou wabt drom me? Why are you so inte
Philip's POVIt stunned me that Eunice agreed to what Tessa had said. It seemed like her children were the only thing important to her. They were the only ones that she needed. She didn't care if she was banished or made to walk around naked; all she wanted was her children.She thoughtlessly agreed with the words: "I'll find Tristan for you, and you must get me my child," she said with authority, as if aiming to show she had power over anyone here.She wasn't even more powerful than Tessa; the only reason that, of course, Tessa would hold her in high regard was that she had practically been his mother when the real one left. Tessa also respected her for her age. She always marveled at how that woman who was this old could still look so young.But now everything was ruined. Everything, every form of respect she held for Eunice, it had turned into a war zone in her head as everything was being set ablaze.I saw Tessa walk toward me, and although I saw her already making her way to wher
Asher's POV:Why would Tristan save me?Although I had no reason to believe this man standing in front of me, seeing as his plan had been ruined by Tristan, and Tristan had not been the one who poisoned me nor paid him to do it, I was compelled to believe his words. Surely he possessed some level of contempt for the person who ruined his mission. When I looked into his eyes and saw how angry he looked, how dark his eyes were as he recollected all that had happened that day, I could say for certain that he actually did hate Tristan.Well, there were many other blonde men, and I couldn't jump to the possibility that the person who saved me from him was Tristan. Other than the fact that he was blonde, I needed a little bit more than his hair color. I needed to know something else that was specific."What else can you tell me other than the color of his hair?" I asked with stern, narrowed eyes, trying to make sure I looked imposing enough.From the way he reacted, which was actually nothi
Asher's POV:The advice wasn't that helpful, especially when I had already come to the realization about who he was talking about.A few days ago, I was sure that he wouldn't have been able to afford such an assassin, but looking at it from another angle and hearing those words from the assassin himself, I figured out the reason why I had been in the dark for this long.It was Kaden. It had to be him.There wasn't another person who hates me so much that could have wanted me dead. He was the only one with the means to be able to escape from me like a snake slithering through my fingers. Having lived in the mansion with me, grown up there, he surely knew some secret doors that most servants were clueless about, and with that knowledge, such Kaden must've gotten someone to poison me.However, I had been poisoned outside; it hadn't been in this house.But did that mean that the suspect list had changed?Definitely not. Kaden was still up the list, or rather, he was the only one there.I
Asher's POV:Everything in me was screaming not to believe his words. Kaden had a proclivity to tell lies. Just like Tristan, there was nothing in him that would testify that he was telling the truth, nothing in him could even speak the truth. Instead, his tongue was made only to tell lies.And though the expression on his face mirrored one of confusion; with his eyebrows furrowed and his eyes darting around as if anyone around could give him a befitting explanation. But I knew it was a farce; everything about Kaden was a farce from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet, he was carved in lies.As the seconds turned to minutes, so did my patience start to disappear and metamorphose into rage. The more he kept up with this act of not knowing anything, I was simply getting angry. I was getting so outraged I needed to punch something.So I grabbed his shirt.I was taller than him even prior to this, and I was probably only by a few inches. But somehow, it felt as if I had gained
Philip's POVWhat was I supposed to do?What could I do to a man I used to consider my soulmate? My kin?I had loved this man that was bringing me so much pain and troubles. He used to be my comfort, the only place where I could totally be myself without getting judged or attacked. He had his shortcomings generally, but he was my friend, he was the most important person to me, and my family didn't even come close. Well, except Eunice.Eunice.There were no words to describe how I was feeling, but was I going to indulge in those feelings? Definitely not. I was never going to allow myself to get overwhelmed by my thoughts. Such misfortunes, such betrayal were common in a man's life. There was nowhere that it was written that your family wouldn't hurt you, and my family had brought me so much pain.I can't even mention my sister.And with this pain, I was still supposed to defend my newfound family; I was supposed to do something against my best friend.Granted, when it came to skill and
Asher's POV:The mansion I was standing in front of was grandiose, even bigger than mine. There were flowers growing on the walls, trees placed only a few feet away from the mansion itself, surrounding it as if making a barricade. The windows on the walls were large, making the design of the place more fetching.There had been rumors that this place had been bought rather than built by the owner, and surely, I was beginning to believe it.The structure of the place seemed firm and quite sturdy, looking as if it had aged. There was a fountain only a few feet away from me, and the rushing water was almost loud. Almost.The guard leading me inside was generous enough to wait so I could soak in the beauty of this mansion. It was really one of a kind; the rumors were honestly cruel; they didn't do it appropriate justice.I didn't want to appear like my own place was bad because it wasn't, but standing there like a statue, gawking at the marvelous building, was surely going to send the wron
Philip's POV:Tessa and Michelle stood before me; they were both trying so hard not to look at each other in the eyes. I knew their hands were aching to touch each other, to feel their skin against each other's.Their relationship had happened so suddenly and unexpectedly, and I was sure it was built only on passion because Tessa was a very passionate woman.The two of them had their eyes on the floor, waiting for me to speak up. Earlier, Tessa had made it known to me that going alone to search for the children was going to be hard for her as she was clueless about where to start and would love to have someone with her.Of course, I proposed Matt, but she instantly refused and said that there was no way she was doing the mission with a statue.Her response had been shocking because this was a man she used to be hopelessly in love with, and now she was suddenly tired of him, having no affection for him but respect because he was their leader.I shook my head at the memory, how she had
Tessa's PovIt's been a month ever since what happened. Kura returned to the silver moon pack and from what the news said the economy of he place wss taking a turn for the better. Things were finally looking up for them.I wss still yet to be given a nate and so was Michelle, there wasn't anything better to do than to just continue with our relationshipsMatt as expected became the leader of the pack for a while till Keagan was old enough to return. We all wanted hom as the leader. Philip had seen something in hom, the something he saw in all of us. Other than the fact he was born an alpha, he probably had zeal, he had the strength of a leader.Michelle had gone to meet Lyra, sje had a particular liking doe the kids and loved that about her. There were news of lyra and Asher's relationship probably leading to marriage and I was happy for Gomez finally throwback going to be married to their mates and they were happy.We were all happy for them.The rest of the betas had gotten themselv
Asher's POV"No!!" Tesaa screamed.Emily smiled victoriously asbshe saw the small cottage engulf in flames, she had a satisfies smile on her lips and shebste the projectile weapon on the ground next tonher feetz unknown to her, she setbthe remote control as well."Thwn that's jt, they both are dead."The flames were intense bring everything in the cottage turning it all to crisp, inwas sure that Tessa ws on the verge of jumping intonthe flames asbshe grww sloser yknthe cliff onnher knees and so I quickly hekd her down. Inwraoed my hands around her and then whispered into her ears."You csn kill her now".Tesaa froze. She disnt react to what insaid by looking at me, but rather she just slithered outnof my hold and then rose tonher feeshe tuened to where Emily stood lookingbatbthe flames, haooy that she had brought suxh destruction.Tesaa smirked, "you must be proud"Emily clapped, "you cannot even begin to fathom how excited I am.about thism this is truly a miracle. Thjs js something j
Asher's POVI shuddered slightly at what she said and instantly just started the car. I drove the car and sped of so that I would be driving right behind Emily she was moving so fast out of town out of everywhere and towards the docks. She was going to take a boat sowmehre and there were a large number of boats available for use.She immediately stopped her car and then jumped into one of the baots there.I saw this from the windscreens and madensure that I caught up with her. Tessa was as impatient as I was because she didn't even wait foe.me tonstoo the car before she was already running out and running towards a free motorboat bjust like the one that Emily had taken.I quickly pulled over and huried to where Tessa was getting the boat into the water, I quickly koined her and mived to first start the motor engine. Then it roared to life, I looked behind me andnsaw Tessa's approving glance. We started driving l, as fast as we could so nthat we could be right behind Emily.Emily dorve
Asher's POV"What do you mean by that?" I asked her and i moved forward."Oh," she chuckled, "you didn't realize? I think the person who poisoned you was Steven."I shook my head as I began to feel by body vibrate with the sense of being betrayed. Incident know I'd trusting Devlin's words were the right thing to do but at the moment, it made sense.He was the one that the assasin hadbeen warning me about. He was the person that was close to me thst wanted me dead. I didnt know why hebwas behaving kike that. Why he had posioned me and started tk act like the ruler.I didn't know what j should be thinking about ir even feeling but I felt frustrated. I felt broken."It cannot be" I said to myself.Devlin laughed, "stop lying to yourself, you already knew abiut jt."Somehow, when I thought back, it really was the truth, he had in so many ways done a lot of things. Hehad been the one whonkeot pestering me to go out and get drunk and how can I have possibly slipped away from him and he just
Asher's POVAfter the confession last night, I didn't even know how I ended up on.my.bed, I didn't know how I even slept but as I stared at myself in the mirror, with dark circles under my eyes and a certain fatigue in my.bearing, I believed that I might not have had any sleep last night.I brushed my teeth, and then proceeded to take my bath before I went downstairs to keep searching for anything that woukd kead ne to Philip.But ko matter how I'd love to go over the issue with Philip, s that i can work my way around finding him, i just couldn't even think for a minute. I couldn't understand what was happening nor why it has to be.like this.If Lyra's babies were really mine, did Philip know? Did he decide to be their father regardless? Lyra hsd saud she thought I hated her and all, so was the reason she hid the children from me because sbe thought I was going to deny them? That it was not going you accept and love them?I couldn't helo but winder jow broken she must've bee to even c
Asher's POVI ran my hand over my face and steooed forward to where shebwaa standing, maybe it was the distance that made me hear incorrectly what shebhad just said.Maybe i had been imagining things that she just said that Philip wasnt home.Because if he wasn't here, then where was he?"Lyra, I am not joking"She frowned, "I'm not joking either. I suddenly got tired and then I left the party after searching around for the both of you. What would make you think I'm lying?"She suddenly went quiet and her whose focused somewhere else, "what are you saying?" She asked, "Philip isn't with you?"I shook my head, "he isn't, and if you say he's not here then I have no fucking clue where he is". I said exasperatedly."Thus was what Fiona had saud, she told me that there was nothing i could do to stop their fucked up plan from going into action". I said shaking my head and recalling every bit of my conversation with Fiona. "If I had known, I would've left instantly"."Left?" Lyra's eyes chan
Asher's POVI grabbed a drink off from the tray of drinks a waiter wss passing around. The spaces between people kept getting more narrow and weaving through them became a huge hassle.I downed the alcohol in a go and then kept the glass on a nearest table before finding a way to swim through the sea of people, so that I could use the bathroom.I didn't even know where the bathroom was located.I looked around some more. Everybody wore masks and I was sure even the celebrant had her own mask. I suspected this because everywhere I've looked, I haven't seen her face. Akk I could see were different colors, shiny or dull and just eyes.I wasn't particularly looking for her fir I had nothing to say to her, anybody that could lead me to the bathroom right now was going to do me a huge favour."Asher?"I immediately turned around and saw a woman standing behind me.She wore a silver dress embedded with stones that glistened under the light. Her hair was shirt and brown and so were her eyes.
Philip's POVThe party was all I thought it would be, soft music playing, people talking amongst themselves rather than dancing. Only a few people were on the dancefloor doing nothing really amazing.As we walked further into the place, a waiter holding a tray approached us holding a tray of masks and then presented it to us.Asher picked one and then Lyra did before i settled for mine.I looked at the two of them first and saw the design of their mask, Lyra's own had feathers, jt was blue with shiny stones and quite beautiful to look at.Asher picked something more manly, it was plain black and had nothing quite noticeable. He just tied it around hisbface and instantly he blended with the group. So djd Lyra.I did the same."Well," Asher said, "be careful". Again he was here with his advice. Something inwas not against.I gave Lyra a kiss on her cheek and then decided to go around the olace. We all knew what we wrre doing. We all knew our plans and showing affections or soending the
Asher's POVThe visit to Emily's place had been a waste of time. I had found out absolutely nothing about Tristan. The women kept talking about the upcoming party and the theme they were using and everything else that was no business of mine. Fiona even went as far as to show me all that she had prepared.And when I walked out of there, a headache was already spotting.I had no intention of ever paying a visit to a female friend just because. There was nonjoy from such an activity but only stress.When I returned to Philip's place, I was praying and hoping that hebhad sorted out whatever he needed to sort out with Lyra. I hadkeft thwn with a strangeness in the air. They were aost having a fill out fight iverghe fact that Philip had feelings. Over the fact that he was feeling guilty over betraying his friend.I understood jownhe felt, but unfortunately, Lyra was not even about to hear it. Hwr opinion of Tristan had never been the best but after what he did to her, she was not about to