Deception

That sound stood different from the round of cheers and hollers. A feminine sob caught his attention, causing him to snap his gaze toward his left. Zip. The silver-edged spikes of the whip connected with his skin on the back, peeling away a chunk of flesh as it left. A hiss of pain slipped out of his lips as a sharp pain shot in alarm. He heard it again. Muffled and choked out. Another sob. His bloody gaze swept around the crowd, searching for the source. He could only smell the Vampires. Interesting. The whip connected again. This time, he purposefully made a noise of pain. Loud cheers erupted from the crowd and it was all he could do not to roll his eyes. While it hurt like hell he never gave them satisfaction by making a sound before. As expected, the sound came again in the form of a strangled cry and his blazing Amber gaze connected with deep topaz blues. Aluxious sucked in a sharp breath when the whip cracked again. Tears trickle

Reyna paced back and forth in her chamber. Her mind preoccupied. Her parents would arrive anytime today. That would stop Killian from killing the Lycan king immediately. Perhaps, she could take this to her father’s attention. He’d stop this madness. Light footsteps reached her door. Celia entered a moment later. “Princess, your parents arrived earlier than scheduled. They’re on their way to the Royal chambers.” It was close to midnight. They were scheduled to arrive in the morning. “Good. I hope my mother would have the time to speak with me.” “You can’t. The King had called the adviser and the councilmen in the parlor for a quick drink. My orders are to bring you there.” “Oh.” A frown tugged the corner of her mouth down. “What’s the hurry?” She nodded at her maid and walked to the parlor. Applauds and cheers reached her ears first. Then came the boom of her father’s proud voice. "Ah, there's my son. My King!" Their mother, Ria

The sun skimmed over the horizon. Bright orange hues dimmed soon as the darkness took over with a roar. Reyna watched as the last rays of the sun, set for the season. The cold would break soon. Unlike the Chelmer Peaks, the sun didn’t shine here in Barmount during the winter. Six horrid months of bone-seeping winter. And there, nestled along the valley of The Silver Volcano was the kingdom of Lycans, Selene.   Her eyes could still see clearly through the dark. In the distance, red balls of fire breathed light, illuminating the surroundings. The mundanes hurried from the woods into the outer walls through the narrow path. Arms filled with dry woods, their steps were slow but determined. The deep tunnels of Barmount castle were occupied by the slaves. They stored their wood to keep them warm during the merciless winter. As she watched, another group of men entered. Carcasses of deer and animals alike hung from their shoulders. The last hunt of the season.

Aluxious eyed the disgusting vampire with so much dismay, he'd never felt for anyone in his entire life of twenty-eight summers. Whenever he saw him, the bile rose from the pit of his stomach. His mother had passed away when he was just a baby and his father followed his mate shortly, making him the ruler of Selene. From there, it hadn't been an easy clear cut path. He'd battled fair share of overconfident and opportunistic males, who wanted the thrones for themselves. He killed to survive since he ascended the throne by default. Now as he watched the leeches brought in the females who'd been tending to him over the weeks of his confinement. Their loyalty to his ancestors had kept him alive. Aluxious had lost track of time in that shit hole. Wasn't it spring when he was taken? He frowned unable to remember. Inside him, the beast stretched its limbs. How long had it been? He clenched his jaws. The shift was going to be ugly––brutal. And my beast wi

Aluxious slipped in and out of control throughout the journey. The beast wasn't strong like he used to be. That gave control to his human side once in a while. His anger snapped when he noticed the little Vampiress following him. She had no business here. He spared her once, but not anymore. He knew the leeches would follow and he set the trap, anticipating every moment. The stuttering heartbeat from within the fallen tree bark was hard to miss. She thought she was clever, but even the remnants of that animal weren't enough to mask her unique, feminine scent. Instead of engaging her like he wanted to, he jumped over the tree log and waited. The Vampiress trusted him like a naive fool she was. This prey can wait, but others can't. Aluxious knew he should keep running, the need for revenge forced him to stay put. He came here with a purpose. A purpose he didn't get to finish. Soon... The leeches unwittingly brought him a step closer to his goal.