Mag-log inNeither spoke for some seconds, then Xavier breathed in."It took a lot of effort from both sides, but it was what the Alpha of Blackwood wanted. It was the only way we could merge and strengthen our packs against the rogues' attack." Xavier let out a soft sigh."I lost my mate to a rogue, and I couldn't afford to lose any more of my loved ones, and that was why I agreed to marry her sister."Kallias almost sneered. "I heard her body was unrecognizable."Xavier nodded. "But Alpha Raymond was still able to identify her.""How?" "Through her birthmark."Kallias squinted his eyes. "Birthmark?"Xavier nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. It's a small mole on the palm of her hand."Kallias eyed him. "The two of you must have been close enough for you to remember the details." He almost couldn't hide the snarl."We were mates after all. Though I know it isn't right, I still miss her to this day."Kallias' lips thinned, and he glared at Xavier."Leave."Xavier thought he hadn't heard right, and he r
By the time Kallias and his troops arrived at the event, people were already gathered and had taken their respective seats.This was one of the rare occasions an official was allowed to host a ceremony beyond the citadel. It was mainly for constructing new allies and gaining new investors who were willing to spend their coins on the realm's progress, and any sane person who could afford to be in a place like this never missed it. It was also an opportunity to get close to the King.As soon as Kallias arrived, Lord Lim, the host, and his servants rushed to meet him."Your Majesty." His voice raised on a high tone. "You are most welcome."Kallias handed his horse's leash to one of the servants, and they also attended to his aide's and guards' horses.Then Kallias turned to the man who still stood before him, trying his best to offer Kallias one of his best smiles."Are they all here?""Yes, Your Majesty, but we couldn't begin without you.""But you could add new names to the invitation
Maids walked into the King's chamber with different clothes draped over their arms, and they held them out to the King for him to choose from, and Kallias moved from one maid to another as he tried to choose one.After some minutes of pacing, he pointed to a crimson tunic with grey trousers, and a grey long-sleeve coat to be worn over it.The maids got to work, dressing him up. One of the maids combed his long hair until it settled on his shoulders in perfect strands.Then, after they were done, they left him, and the royal aide came in and shut the door."Is the horse ready?""Yes, Your Majesty." "And what about what I requested?""That's why I'm here."Kallias glanced at him. "What did you find?""The Alpha of Blackwood is dead.""What?""He died months ago, and now a new Alpha has been appointed."Kallias squinted his eyes. "The new Alpha is Xavier, isn't it?""Your Majesty is correct. I found out the ascension was done some weeks after the late Alpha's death. It was the right thi
Kallias tilted his head sideways, then to the other side, and he exhaled. He felt lightweight, and the stiffness in his body was gone.The headache that had been pressing down on him was no longer there.He glanced at the jug seated on his table. A cup sat beside it, filled with the tea Adriana had made. He had asked his attendant to brew it.Kallias took the cup and sipped slowly as he thought of last night. The look on her face after he told her to give him a massage. She had shifted close to him on the bed, and he had caught her eyes lingering on his bare chest for some seconds before she had looked up at him."I need you to rest your head on my lap." She had said to him, and he hadn't wasted any time and had laid his head on her lap, closing his eyes and waiting for her to start.She wasn't lying. The moment her hands had touched his scalp, working on the rips of muscles knotted in his head, the pain he had felt had eased away.His eyes had remained closed, and he didn't know whe
A small gathering, mostly palace workers, gathered around a pile of wood.They all wore black, their faces sober as they stood quietly, waiting for the corpse bearers.They came moments later with a tarp on their shoulders. The head maid lay on it, and her body was wrapped with a white binding that also covered her face.Once or twice, a light sob broke out as words were offered in memory of her. She had been dearly loved by everyone. She was one of the oldest workers in the palace and had been like a shield to the newly appointed ones until she had fallen ill.Adriana hadn't known her, but she also felt the loss. She was standing with some of the royal slaves and servants, and she also wore a black dress.The body was laid onto the wood slowly, and everyone was given the chance to pour kerosene on the sides of the wood; then the King was next, and he poured the last bit.He was handed a burning piece of wood, and he placed it on the remaining pile, setting it ablaze. The flames licke
"She died a few minutes ago. I was informed by an apprentice sent by the royal physician. He was on his way..."Kallias tried to register what the royal aide was saying, but the roaring in his ears didn't let him hear the remaining words.Just one word rang in his head."The head maid was dead."And it brought back memories he thought he had gotten over. They resurfaced, and it felt like yesterday, when the royal aide had rushed in to break the news about Rhea's death.He had gone out of the palace that fateful day to conduct the research he had been doing about the cure. He had just gotten back when the news was broken to him, and he had run as fast as his legs could carry him to her bedchamber, where she had been treated. A memory of how he had scrambled to the ground after he had seen her gaunt body lifeless on the bed flashed through his mind, and his body shook.That was the first time he had ever cried. He hadn't cried when he had watched his father die slowly, the black magic
Adriana's eyelids fluttered open and she opened her eyes slowly.The first thing she saw was the moon nestled between the clouds, its silver light shining down on her face. This was a beautiful night and on a normal day Adriana would have enjoyed gazing at it feeling at peace, but now peace was far
Alpha Raymond stared at his soon-to-be son-in-law like he had grown two heads.Xavier's lips quivered and he repeated the exact words he had spoken a moment ago.“Adriana is dead.”“How foolish of you to say that about my daughter!” Alpha Raymond snapped.“I didn't want to believe it as well, but i
Adriana fought against the hand clamping heavily on her mouth but Ton was stronger and he succeeded in forcibly dragging her away.Adriana's hands came up to the hand on her mouth and tried to remove it but it came down only an inch and she bit down hard.Ton snatched his hand away mumbling curses
Adriana held the wall for support, feeling like her world had come crashing down.She couldn't deny what she had heard within this door.Xavier was having an affair with her sister.The realization hit harder than their words and her despair turned into rage.How dare they?How dare he deceive her







