로그인Alastair’s POV "The new appliance line is exceeding projections," one manager reported. "Pre-orders are up thirty percent from last quarter.""The international distribution deal is proceeding smoothly," another added.Everything was running smoothly. Profits were up and the company was thriving. I knew all of that but there was only one thing that truly concerned me. "And the game?" I asked, stopping on my tracks. “I haven’t gotten a report yet.”Silence fell like a hammer.Every face in that lobby suddenly became very interested in their shoes, their phones, the ceiling… anywhere but me."Your Majesty," one of the senior managers, a man named Gregory, cleared his throat. "We've been meaning to discuss the game development project with you."I waved at him. "Discuss away.""Well, sir, we feel that perhaps the resources allocated might be better used elsewhere.” He cleared his throat and straightened his shoulders. “The game is... well, it's quite ambitious, and the returns are unc
Alastair's POVIrene lay sprawled across my bed, the early morning light filtering through the windows and catching the dark strands of her hair. Her face was peaceful in sleep, unlike the defiance and anger that radiated whenever she looked at me. I never imagined I would see her like this. My hand reached out before I could stop it, my fingers brushing against her cheekbone. Her skin was soft and warm.‘Mate,’ Todd stirred, pressing forward with singular focus. ‘Our mate is finally sleeping by our side.’I jerked my hand back.No. This was dangerous territory because Irene was a means to an end. She was just a vessel to carry my heir, nothing more. Getting attached to her was a weakness I couldn't afford.I stood abruptly and left the room, forcing my mind to focus on other things. I had a business waiting for me and a game that consumed my thoughts more than it should. So I should think of anything but the omega sleeping in my bed. By the time I reached the main hallway, Hay
Irene’s POV I peeled it off, hating the way his eyes trailed and lingered on my skin like I was a snack he wanted to devour. “You’re a tyrant.” I hissed, wanting him to feel a fraction of my hatred. He just shrugged lile he couldn’t care about my opinion. “Move faster, dove. We don’t have all night.” I gritted my teeth, swallowing the retort on my tongue as I took of my jeans then my underwear followed. Finally, I stood naked under his stare. The urge to wrap my arms around myself was strong but I shoved it down and stared at him boldly, He grinned, like he could tell what I was thinking and I hated that reaction more than anything.He stepped closer, toying with the rope in hand. “Have you ever heard of the Japanese style of fucking?” His voice was velvet over steel and I refused to respond. He shoved me onto the mattress, flipped me onto my back, and began winding the rope around my wrists and ankles.The knots bit into my skin, spreading my limbs wide and pinning me open. H
Irene’s POV I thrashed against Alastair’s iron grip as he hauled me down the corridor, my bare feet scraping over cold stone. Cam’s tearful begging echoed down from his room and my heart tightened with pain. Alastair didn’t even look the least bit concerned. He truly was a heartless bastard! What kind of father treated his own son like that!? “If you lock me away a thousand times it won’t stop me,” I snapped before I could help it, all the rage I was holding back poured out all at once. He only grinned, looking clearly pleased by the insult. His grip tightened around me, I was struggling to even keep up with his long strides but Alastair didn't even bother to slow down. We were heading towards his private wing, I realized with horror. “W-Wait!” I yelped, tugging against his hold but he was unrelenting. “Where are you taking me!?” He looked over his head, those pearly white flashing in the darkness. “You said I couldn’t stop you, right? Well, I don’t want to anymore.” My sto
Irene's POVThe lock took forever to open, my hands shaking with urgency and fear. Finally, it gave way, and I slipped inside.Cam's room was bright, the walls painted with clouds and stars. There were toys scattered about, a shelf lined with books and there was an adjacent room that looked like a closet.On first glance, it was everything a child could want but Cam wasn't there."Cam?" I called softly.A whisper came from behind the bed and I stiffened. I followed the sound to find Cam crouched in the corner.In his hands, he was weilding a makeshift weapon. It was a sharp piece of meta, tied to a stick with strips of cloth.“… and then I'll hit him really hard," he was saying to Jossy, who was curled up beside him. "And he'll have to let Irene go, so we can run away together.”My lips curled into a small smile. "Cam," I whispered, tilting my head to the side. His head snapped up and his eyes instantly went wide. "Irene?"He moved so fast he nearly tripped over Jossy, throwing his a
Irene's POVThe dungeon was cold and dark, just as I remembered from the stories I heard the servants whisper about. Bare stone walls, minimal light filtering through a small barred window high above. There was no bed, just the cold floor and my own thoughts.Alastair had kept his word. I wasn’t given food or water throughout the day.But I had gone through worse. Through years of servitude, beatings from my brother and nights when I went to bed hungry because there wasn't enough to eat. This was nothing compared to that.So instead of wallowing in self-pity, I sat in the center of the room and meditated. I thought about Master Elias's assignment, the one where he asked us record ourselves singing and analyze our performance. I was too emotionally devastated the day before to really think about what I wanted to sing.But now, in the silence and darkness, the answer came to me.The lullaby about the wolf who loved the moon. It was the same one that made Alastair's eyes go strange w
Irene’s POV I couldn't run or fight, the only thing I could do was lie there and wait for the pain.This is what I am. This is what I've always been. No matter how many people I beat, how much I pretend to be strong, this is what happens when…A foot flew through the air, connecting with Icarus's
Irene's POV“You bitch!”I could almost hear his voice from all those years ago. I could nearly feel the sting of his fist against my face. My throat clenched and for a second, all I could do was stare at the man who had sold me like livestock. Icarus Slater was never an older brother to me. Iron
Irene's POVThe rest of the day passed in a blur of classes and assignments. Dance practice was invigorating but something about moving my body to music helped quiet the noise in my head, at least temporarily.I signed up for piano lessons, figuring that learning an instrument would deepen my unde
Irene's POVHe leaned against his desk, looking at me with something close to disdain. "Let's not pretend this is about talent or dedication, Miss Irene. We both know why you're really here."My heart was skipping terribly. "I... I don't understand.""You're the King's breeder." He said it like an







