Rameric's POV:
“What makes you say that?” I asked as I knelt beside the padded slumber. She was still lying there on her back with her eyes looking up as I reached over and gently yet delicately took her hand in mine. I rubbed the top of her hand as I turned to look back at Raiven who was pacing back and forth. "Have you ever seen anything like this before?" I asked him as I stood up and turned to sit down on the edge of my padded slumber.I did not know what to do seeing her in this state. She has already had so much happen to her while she was here. First, she was taken from me and nearly lost her life because of it, all while I was figuring out what I wanted to do with her. Then after her return, she experienced the most painful thing by getting stitched up without having anything to drink before that which might have helped to dull the pain even a little. Later, Merial was no help in making her feel wanted here so I ended up exiling her. She came into her first hRameric's POV:I pulled her closer into my chest as I had my arms wrapped around her. We all remained silent for a few moments allowing her to get out some of the frustration she was keeping inside. She needed to release some of this pain in order to help herself calm down. Only after, could I ask what she meant earlier when she said everything was her fault. She was the one sold as a slave to my pack. She did not make anyone take her or cause any of that stuff to happen, so how could she even think that any of this was her fault? She even needed help in retrieving her little brother from that poor excuse of a man. After another moment, I adjusted my arms as I moved one of my hands under her chin and lifted it softly. I wanted to be able to look at her. I wanted her to know that she was not going to be judged for her emotional state. I know some packs did not care about their slaves when they would cry for the ones they left behind, but she was my mate. If holding
Alasia's POV:Rameric was holding me in his arms as I held him tightly by the neck. I don't know how to describe it, but something about his touch seemed to help soothe whatever mood I was in. I knew I was fearful about what had happened in my past. However, I also knew the kind of evil man that Bo was. The more I thought about this, the more I wondered if he truly knew how afraid I was of Bo. He was not there when Bo and my stepfather would talk about all those horrible things on top of what they wanted to do about me. It still makes my skin cringe when I think about it. The one feeling of being repulsed by that man every time he looked at me. At the time, all those years ago, I did not know what they were discussing, but I am beginning to have an idea now. They would take those women and young girls from their homes late in the middle of the night to a place they would call, Rayless Keep. I heard a few times that it had a black door. Those young girls would be t
Alasia's POV:Here I was again, placed in this position where I was sitting there on the edge of this larger bed staring at, at that thing. That one thing that I had the experience of, ...! Even my thoughts did not want to finish 'the thought'. Was it so hard to say, even if it was in my mind about what I did earlier? That thing that I. What is wrong with my mind?! Why can I not say what I did with it? I guess I did not realize I was staring at it as he lowered his hand right in front of it and started to point upward. I almost jumped when I saw his hand and the look on his face. "If I didn't know any better I would say you were a little distracted," Rameric said cunningly as I looked at him. I could tell that my cheeks got hot right then as he looked at me the way he did. "I am sorry, I...""You need not try to defend yourself to me," he said as he picked up the new set of bottoms and put one leg in them. Then, when he put his other leg in and pulled th
Rameric's POV If there was one way I knew how to help my mate relax, I would surely try to do just that. She looked at me while she was supported on her elbows as I held the back of her knees. At that moment, I slowly lowered myself until I was positioned on both knees. She watched my every move as I kept my focus on her facial expressions. I could tell that even though she did not make a sound, her lips were giving her away as if she did. I continued to look at her as I laid her knees down to the sides and I moved my body closer to her. My member flexed as it wanted to be released. It knew what I had in mind, but this time, it would have to wait. This was her turn to relax, not its turn. Every so gently, I moved my hands along her skin from the inner side of her knees, along the inner side of her thighs, and stopped just shy of the gentle folds of delicate skin. With the tips of my fingers, I dragged them along the edge of the delicate skin till I was right below her navel. I looke
Rameric's POV:She leaned into me, deepening the kiss. I could feel the passion coming from her as she turned her head to the side, moaning here and there. Suddenly, she swiftly pulled her head back away from mine as she inhaled sharply. She was almost to the point of needing to cough. I guess she needed a breath of fresh air. Then I thought about it. It may have been a bit hard for her to breathe with me sucking on her mouth the way I was. After she seemed to relax a bit more than before, she calmed down and laid back with her head again on my padded slumber. With her staring up at me, she looked like she was more relaxed than I had seen her so far this evening. I looked down under me and noticed that she was still completely bare. I was only wearing the bottoms I had put on earlier. I could tell that my member was still flexing and wanting to be set free. "Are you alright?" I asked her softly, as I wanted to make sure she had sufficiently caught her brea
Alasia's POV:I continued to lay there on Rameric's arm as I slowly drifted off. He was right after all. I did need to stop overthinking about everything that happened to me and get some rest. I guess I could rest a bit more soundly tonight as I did not have to worry about Brazen being in the hands of that man whom I used to call my stepfather. I know what he was like when I was around, so there was no telling what else happened to Brazen after I was not there to help protect him anymore. Or, at least for the last few days while I was not there. As I lay there with my eyes closed, I thought about what Rameric had done earlier for me and how he was just trying to help me relax. It was hard for me to relax after all. After everything that I have been through, it was honestly hard to even do that. At least I knew Brazen was going to be safe, so that helped some.Before I knew it, I was dreaming some strange sleep dream. The next thing I realized was that I was sit
Alasia's POV:What just happened to me? What did I just experience? Was any of that real?! Or, could that have been another vision that was playing a trick on my mind? Well, it could have been just a bad sleep dream, couldn't it? I looked around the room and I could tell that I was in the same room that I knew Rameric had laid down with me earlier. What is happening to me?"Alasia, are you alright?" Rameric suddenly asked me as he sat up and pulled me closer to him by putting me across his lap. "What happened? You screamed. You know, you can tell me anything."I looked at him directly and tried to speak. I tried to open my mouth so I could tell him what I had just seen, but for some reason, I could not do it. I could not believe that I could not tell him what I had just seen. Why was I not able to tell him my vision? I could not even mention the fact that I had a vision! "I can't," I said suddenly, full of fear, as I could not speak about it."You c
Alasia's POV:I continued to lie there scared, not knowing what to do. Why was I placed in this kind of position? To which I would have to kill the only person who was ever nice to me. The only person who ever meant anything to me other than Brazen. The only person who did what was necessary so that I knew I was safe. My stepfather never did anything like that for me. The only thing he did was flaunt me in front of his cousin, Bo. My mother was the only other person that seemed to care, but she was no longer living. She left me all those years ago to put up with my stepfather all while watching out for my little brother. In a way, I hated her for leaving, as I did not know why she left us. I still loved her dearly and yet, I miss her more than anything. I was so upset at everything, I did not bother to stop the tears as they ran steadily from my eyes. I was looking to the side and could tell they were starting to make a small puddle in the center of Rameric's ch
Vladic Regime's POV:When we walked over to the table, I ensured Sir Lavion had her take a seat where her position would be with her back facing Brookli's position. The last thing I wanted was for her to see my daughter before it was the proper time to do so. Until it was absolutely necessary, that is. Once she took her seat and was seemingly comfortable, despite her nervous posture, I took my seat on the opposite side of the table. I then turned my attention to one of the maidservants standing there just inside the doorway of the room they had entered from. They had not been dismissed, so they knew not to leave my presence unless they were told to do so. "You there," I spoke using a tone that I only used when calling the servants. Once I gained all of their attention, I looked back at the young lady and said, "Go and grab her a glass of water." She even turned around to look at all three women to see which one of them would be brave enough to move. When she looked back at
Vladic Regime's POV:I walked into the little cottage and took a quick look around. I was extremely displeased with the fact that not only was she not in sight. She was nowhere to be seen. From my understanding, she was supposed to be waiting here for us. Or, so that is what I understood. When the front door was closed once again, I turned around and looked at Sir Lavion."Where is she?" I questioned him, trying to keep my tone at a lower volume. The last thing that I wanted was to frighten her more with my powerful aura as I was trying to inquire as to her position if she was there somewhere."I understand your frustration, sire. Rest assured, she is in that room over there," Sir Lavion mentioned."What is she doing in the other room?" I asked, turning back to face him once more and furrowing my brows at him."Well Sire, she was injured and quite dirty upon her arrival," he started to say as he walked around me to stand over by the door she was behind. "Even the clothing she
Vladic Regime's POV:I paced back and forth in my office, occasionally, looking out the window. I had wondered how long it was going to take before Balmerian got back to me, letting me know that his work was completed, and we could move forward with my plans. I looked forward to finally ridding myself of a long awaited enemy. However, I would have to wait until the proper time to do it. The question is how exactly would that task be accomplished? I was so lost and thought to the point that I did not hear when someone knocked at my office door. When I had yet to respond, the door suddenly opened slightly, allowing Emeric to poke his head inside, trying to see where I was. As he watched me, he saw that I was still focused and had yet to notice his presence.Just then he cleared his throat as he said, "Sire?"At that moment, I turned around to face him as I was now hovering above the floor before I said gruffly, "What?! Can you not see that I am busy with thought!?""That's just
Alasia's POV:This little cottage was even cuter on the inside. I have to say, from the outside, you would not expect it to look like this on the inside. Whoever did their carpentry work did an immaculate job on it. They definitely had some skills if they managed to do all of this. If I compared the little hut I used to live in with this one, this one would be a complete castle compared to the nature of that little hut. This little cottage even had nicely made wooden floors too. It was very well done and very well tended."Good afternoon, Sir Lavion," said a young woman who opened up the door when he got close enough. "It is a pleasure seeing you again. What brings you ..." "Fetch hot water," said the man as he walked in the door. He even made sure to take extra care in turning me to the side, making sure I would not hit the posts of the door. "I had already sent for Balmerian. He should be here before too long.""Very good, sir," she said as she closed the door again. "I
Alasia's POV:I'm just not sure what to say at this point. Why is everything happening to me? First of all, why did that lady do what she did? And why did the horse bring me here? However, should I stop this man from trying to help calm it down? It did seem to get out of control, and I was to the point where I didn't know what to do. I sat there on the seat holding on to the reins as this man came up and placed his hands on either shoulder of the horse, helping to soothe its temper."Here now, easy boy," the man said, rubbing his hand gently along the horse's neck. I still held the reins very tightly as I was in complete shock at what just happened. My arms and legs felt like they were on fire with the sensation of being thrown onto the rocks on the side of the path. When the man had finished with the horse, he grabbed hold of the reins from the side and walked up to me. "Here, let me help you with that," he said gently while using a reassuring tone. "Where did yo
Rameric's POV:"Take them away," an older man said loudly enough as he walked to the edge of the crowd, coming into view. Everyone stopped talking when they heard him speak. He seemed as if he could be the oldest man in this village. When he got close enough, he looked directly at me as he said, "You sir, I do know you. I may not like what you do, but I understand there has to be business, or else there will be chaos. There has been enough bloodshed here in our little village. We have enough to tend to after the fires are extinguished. All thanks to the likes of those who take from others that they view as less fortunate than themselves. We do not wish to deal with the remaining few all on our own. Take the remaining invaders away. I only ask one thing of you and those of the company you may keep. Ensure that they never come back here."At the conclusion of his words, Raiven walked over to the old man and placed a hand on his shoulder as he said, "It shall be done
Rameric's POV: "The good people of Sorghum!" I projected my voice as I walked over to the village square. I was trying to gain the attention of the villagers as they were yelling at the invaders. They chanted at the men being held in the center of their village encircled by wolves. "Hear me!" I exclaimed. Finally, after a moment, it was quiet enough for me to continue. "As many of you may know me. You also may not agree with the business I conduct myself, but you do know me. You know that I run the business of the slave trade in these lands. However, these men here," I said as I pointed to all of them encircled. "They do not come with the appreciation of civil exchange. They also choose to be reckless over the civil barter system. They choose torment over talking peacefully. Today this all ends!"At that moment, I turned around to look at them, the men still hovering on their knees. Some were holding onto their injured limbs with the ones less injured if th
Rameric's POV:We went around the opposite side of the building, not having to worry about being seen, as most of the villagers were already in the central part of the village. They were trying to put out some of the fires these invaders started. At least there were not a lot of children in this particular village. It was run by older, more experienced farmers. Rager made sure to keep the young woman close, as he would nudge her with his nose periodically to keep her moving along the path we were headed. She was sobbing lightly as we went along. I was pleased that she was not too loud with her sobs as the last thing I wanted was to draw any more unnecessary attention as to our presence. When we got to where we could see what was going on in the central part of the village, I noticed that there were only two more guards standing there next to the caged wagon. One was standing on the ground by the back, and the other one was still sitting on the front seat, waiting
Rameric's POV:This was not the first time Rager and I had set up an ambush for an enemy that was about to lose their lives. The one thing that I knew he really enjoyed was being able to sever the head from the rest of the body. He was so clean about it too. As they would walk by, he could just pluck their head right off their shoulders. They would fall silent in the pile right where they were standing at the time. Rager would chomp on the head a couple of times before spitting it out too."All right now," I said as I pointed in a particular direction. "I want you to go over there and do as I told you. However, if you do not do as you are told, then you know the consequences of what your actions will bring."With that last statement, I used my Alpha tone, but I spoke softly enough that only she could hear me, while the rest of the men around the corner would not be aware of our position. I watched as she did what she was told, walking over to the end of the build