MasukLUCAS POV COUNTDOWN DAY 1"Welcome!" A lady in a forest green dress greeted loudly as I stepped into the reception with Rosette flanking at my side.I extended my hand for a handshake as she approached, pushing down the ticking clock that rung loudly in my head."We have all been waiting for your arrival—I must say monsieur, the entire city of Carcassonne is completely head over heels with your viral photoshoot," she glimmered."And to be honest, I am part of that excellente majority." She came to a halt, her lips stretching so widely I believed her skin could tear. "Oh, and please call me Viola," she added."Interesting," I answered blandly.She couldn't pick some other name of all the many names in the world.Then she cocked her head to the side, stealing a glance at Rosette. Her eyebrows furrowed, and from the distasteful line that stretched on her forehead, I could smell the disappointment."Something wrong?" I asked, pulling her attention awa
VICTORIA POV “Ugh." I brushed my palm across my face. The memories from last night were a complete fog.How did I get home? The last thing I remembered was the gala. Lucas walking out on me, Emory, Carl, Rosette...— and the chaperone.A cold lump settled at the back of my throat. As panic began to spiral within me, the sharp whistle of my kitchen kettle cut through the silence.My breath caught immediately. Someone was in my kitchen.My hand instinctively scrambled across the nightstand, grabbing a plastic hairbrush just as my bedroom doorknob twisted."Show yourself!" I demanded, my hands trembling against my makeshift weapon."Hey. It's me. I don't mean to startle you," the chaperone said, pushing the door open.What the fuck was he still doing here?—actually noWhat THE FUCK WAS HE DOING HERE !My grip around the brush tightened as I rolled out of bed. "Stand right there!"He cocked his head sideways, his eye
Lucas pov "Do we still have a problem?" Alexander asked, the corners of his lips twitching into a mockery smirk.the entire hall was thrown up in a frenzy, cheering, jamming their cups together in delight. My hands fisted tightly by my sides as I stood beside Rosette, I tilted my head over my shoulders, narrowing down my glares.She knew Maddie was here all these while —,my stomach twisted under my ribs.Maddie's hands, even inside the cage was bound by chains like a raving animal. stripped off her clothes with scattered pieces of food on the iron tray beneath her.her head lifted up slow to meet me.the lines on her face, contoured by trauma, her sad gaze lingered on me for a moment. it was difficult to read what was happening behind and those sad eyes. slowly, she turned her back,picking up a meat from the tray. she dipped it into her mouth. My muscles tensed, as my heart beat drummed loudly against my chest. I dug my finge
LUCAS POV ( Back to present)After a long, suffocating ride of silence from the gala to the airport, we arrived just in time for our flight. A few hours later, the wheels touched down in Carcassonne—the central, beating heart of the Monarchs.To understand how this place operates, you have to understand the protocol.They call it the Train Station. It isn't a physical platform with tracks; it’s a mandate. Anyone visiting the Monarchs must pass through the Train Station in a completely unconscious state.You go under in the outside world, and you wake up in front of the gates of Calvary.It is their ultimate security measure. No one leaves a trail.—"My father doesn't know where I am, and neither do the Calvary Monarchs," I said, leaning forward in the back of the transport truck, desperately inching for a truce. "You might as well kill me first." I said to her."You were sleeping with her, Lucas Lorenzo. And you know I want her," Roset
Lucas’s POV (FLASHBACK)the massive gates ground open before us, and a woman—completely naked, looking to be in her early twenties—stepped out into the light."This way," she said.Her skin shone like grease, covered entirely in a thick, black oily paint. The double-edged sword she held in her right hand caught the harsh rays of the sun, reflecting the glare straight into my eyes.Beyond the gates lay a small, secluded town, its houses arranged in tiers up the face of a steep hill. At the pinnacle stood a tall, imposing structure that loomed over the valley like a dark cathedral.I gasped, the air catching in my throat."How did we get here?" I spun my head immediately to face Maddie, who was shuddering violently by my side. Her expression was pure fright, her high cheekbones completely pale, stripped of all color."Maddie?" I shook her arm rougher than I intended. "Why aren't you saying something?"Slowly, she turned her head to face me
Victoria pov —did he just?, ......Emorys mouth formed the letter O, and he brought his fists to his mouth to fight back the amusement dancing In his eyes,and Carl,?, ....he. seemed rather impressed with lucas,wearing that "I told you Lucas doesn't care about you," look in his face,and honestly, their both expressions were equally valid. how could he say that to me?.... publicly?—"Fine." I blinked back the tears, finding my voice."leave all you want Lucas." I inhaled sharply as he turned to walk away without looking back. "Im sick of how crazy you make me feel,"—this moment you can't get your hands off me and the next, you are a whole different person."my voice cracked."it's exhausting Lucas, so go on ahead—."i swallowed,feeling a pang tighten in my chest. "—you would never love me half of the way you loved Maddie, because you still choose her, you keep holding on,even when you k







