CHAPTER NINETEENThe King’s Birthday 2Ashier sat on the throne, his posture regal and his gaze piercing as he watched the game unfold before him. The archers were skilled, their arrows hitting their intended targets with deadly accuracy. But his attention wasn't on the game itself. It was on the slaves who were forced to participate, their lives on the line for the entertainment of the royals.As he watched, he kept scanning the crowd, hoping to feel a connection with someone, anyone. He knew that he had to find his mate, the one person who would complete him and bring an end to the pain that had haunted him for so long. But as he looked around, he couldn't feel anything. There was no spark, no feeling of recognition or familiarity.He let out a sigh and leaned back in his throne, his eyes scanning the crowd once more. He felt a sense of unease settle in his chest. What if he never found his mate? What if he was doomed to live with the pain forever? He pushed those thoughts away, foc
CHAPTER TWENTYThe Execution 1Ashier wiped the last traces of blood from his mouth and nose with a paper towel, and took a deep breath. The pain was still there, a dull throb in his chest, but he tried his best to hide it as he walked back out to the park. He saw that the game had ended, and let out a sigh of relief. At least he wouldn't have to endure that pain for a while.He looked over at where Blair was lying on the ground, and his heart sank. He didn't want to accept her as his mate, but he couldn't just leave her there. He wondered what he should do. He couldn't take someone like her as his mate, but at the same time, he couldn't just leave her there, and the pain was also too much for him to bear.Ashier looked over at Blair and stared at her, his eyes scrutinizing her whole body. He looked at her closely, studying her features. She was human, weak, and fragile. But there was something about her that intrigued him. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he felt drawn to her. I
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONESaved AgainBlair's heart raced as her name was announced and her crime was revealed to the pack. She could feel the eyes of everyone around her on her, judging her for her actions. She trembled as she heard the verdict, knowing what was to come next. Her whole body shook as she tried to hold back tears, trying to keep herself composed.She watched as the executioners came forward to take her away. Her steps were shaky as she followed them, every part of her body aching from the punishment she had already received. She couldn't believe that this was the end of her life, that she was going to die here in this place.As she was brought to the execution ground, she saw the altar where the sacrifices were made to the goddess. She knew that she was going to be offered up as a sacrifice, her blood spilt to appease their deity. She was terrified, her mind racing with thoughts of what awaited her beyond this life.Blair watched as the executioners read out her crime and the
Chapter Twenty-twoThe SaviorAs Ashier and Blair walked, she threw his hands off and turned to him, “Why did you save me again? Why do you keep saving me after everything that has happened?” She asked.Ashier gave her her no response, he shook his head and grabbed her hand, “Come with me, you have no right to question me!” He shouted.“I’m not questioning you, I’m only asking why you keep putting me in danger and passing out judgments for me to be killed or punished then saving me after that, what exactly are you up to?“ Blair asked, “What do you want from me?”“Just keep quiet and follow me human! I have had enough of your talks.” Ashier yelled and grabbed her hand again.“I have a name, don’t just call me human,” Blair yelled, “Humans are better creatures than you lots. You are just a beast in human skin, you are all murderers, killing people for fun. You are a beast!“Ashier tightened his grip on her, making her cry out in pain, “Say another word and I will kill you by myself,” he
Chapter Twenty-threeLoosing His EnergyAshier walked into his chamber with Alisha following closely behind him. As they entered the room, Alisha immediately began questioning Ashier on his actions earlier that day."Why did you stop the game, Your highness? And why did you save that human slave, Blair?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion and concern.Ashier hesitated, unsure of how to respond. How could he explain to Alisha that Blair was his mate? The idea of sharing such a personal and vulnerable piece of himself with someone else was almost unbearable. He had shared everything that has happens to him with Alisha, she was more like his mother since these whole thing began.He tells her everything but he couldn’t tell her this, she would be so disappointed to know that a mere slave was his mate, and a human at that.They all saw humans as betrayers and traitors, they were nothing but murderers and this is why they enslave every humans they capture, how could he tell her that
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOURThe King’s Birthday; Day 2 (The Kiss)The morning of the second day of the birthday ceremony was filled with excitement and anticipation. The sun was shining brightly and there was a gentle breeze blowing. The maids came into Ashier's room and started to prepare his bath. They filled the tub with warm water and added fragrant oils to it. They then helped Ashier to undress, leaving a top and just his shorts in as he got him into the tub. Ashier had never been completely undressed as he had to hide his wound away from everyone.This was the reason he chose to bath by himself on a normal day, but it was important to let the maids do it on the days of the event.The warm water felt soothing and relaxing as they scrubbed his body clean. He forgot all his worries at once and focused on the present, he wanted to make good use of the moment and live in it as much as he could.Who can tell? This might be his last birthday on earth, this might be the last one he was going to
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVEThe King’s Birthday; Day 2 (Help!)Blair sat in the dimly lit cell, with her knees drawn to her chest and her back against the cold stone wall. She couldn't believe what had happened earlier that day. Ashier had kissed her, and she couldn't stop thinking about it. Her mind raced as she thought about why he did it. He had been acting strange, saving her whenever she was in danger and getting worked up whenever anything goes wrong with her. Blair couldn’t tell why he keeps doing that.She brought her hand to her lips, tracing them as she remembered the feeling of his lips on hers. It was so unexpected, yet it felt so right. She wondered why he would kiss her and then turn around and insult her. It was as if he was trying to push her away, but at the same time, he couldn't resist her.He didn’t even apologize after kissing her abruptly, he didn’t apologize which was very rude, Blair just couldn’t tell what he was up to, what was his main motive?Blair couldn’t tell, s
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIXSaved By Him AgainBlair's heart was pounding as she struggled against Prince Theo's grasp. She screamed for help, tears streaming down her face as she feared the worst. “Let me go!” Blair screamed and tried to push him off her, but he was too strong for her, and he had already overpowered her.“Why should I let a sweet girl like you go?” He laughed and grabbed her clothe, and he tore it at once, leaving her almost naked, “You have a beautiful body!”Blair cried, “Let me go please, leave me alone!”Suddenly, the door burst open and Ashier stormed into the room.Without hesitation, he grabbed Prince Theo and threw him across the room, delivering a swift punch to his jaw. Theo stumbled backward, dazed and disoriented. Ashier turned his attention to Blair, pulling her into his arms and holding her close."It's okay, Blair. You're safe now," he whispered, his voice soothing her frayed nerves.Blair clung to him, her sobs subsiding as she buried her face in his chest. S