KILLIAN My breath hitched the moment the cold metal got pressed down on my neck. A pair of pitch-black eyes glared down at me, and a pair of gloved hands gripped tight unto the blade. "You sent you?" I asked between clenched teeth. The face was masked, making it impossible to view the expression on his face. "My lord says your time is up. You shouldn't have dared mess with him," he muttered in a throaty voice that shook at the end. My eyes dimmed and I began to wonder which of the Alphas would dare try to assassinate me. I slowly reached for the gun I had on me and pulled it out. "Well… tell your boss you tried your best to accomplish the task," I mumbled, and before he could slit my throat with the blade, I pulled the trigger into his abdomen. He froze and his eyes widened in horror. Drops of warm liquid fell on my thighs, causing me to groan in disgust. I pushed the rogue off me and snatched the blade out of his slackened grip before reaching for the mask over his face. I
VALERIE I watched her pour the tea in silence, a smile plastered against my face. She straightened up after pouring the tea and sighed loudly, a smile on her face. "Here," she chipped and pushed the teacup closer, grinning widely. I chuckled, grazing my finger over the tip of the cup. "Anything else?" I asked. "Of course not, I just want to make sure that you are alright," she said. I raised my head and forced a smile into my face to please her. "Well… as you can see, I am fine," I replied in a sharp tone that made her brows raise. "Why do you talk that way with me, Valerie?" She asked. The happiness in her voice slowly faded away. I tilted my head to the side and folded my hand over my chest. "You're just a maidservant? How else do you want me to talk to you, huh?" I taunted, adding a mocking laughter at the end. His brows knotted, and I saw shock dart across her flushed face. "I can't believe this," she muttered, scoffing loudly. I felt happiness swell up in me as I st
VALERIE We swerved our heads in the direction of the scream, and my eyes dimmed when they fell on Michelle. I narrowed my eyes, the worry that sprang up in my heart slowly settling down."Shit!" Garam spat in rage and let go of my neck. Michelle marched towards us, her eyes blazing in anger and her clenched fist swinging beside her. "You bastard!" She growled and grabbed his collar, throwing him off me. His back slammed against the wall and it cracked while he groaned out in pain. "What the fuck did you do to Damion?" She groused and slapped him hard on the face. My brows raised in surprise as I watched her land hit after hit on him. She raised her fist to slam his fist for the umpteenth time but he grabbed her fist, shoving her back. He staggered up and wiped the blood that dripped from the cut on his lower lip. "You are no different from me, bitch!" Garam spat at her. She was taken aback by his outburst, and for a moment, they stood still, fuming in anger and glaring at e
VALERIE (Asmodeus)I hummed as I analyzed the bracelets before me. I smelled of citrus and the suffocating scent of Valerie Garrett. "You should try this on," Bianca said, extending a bracelet towards me. I raised my head in her direction and stared down at the pearl bracelet dangling in her outstretched hand. I forced a smile into my face and took the bracelet then slipped it around my wrist. I stared at the pearl bracelet strapped around my wrist and chuckled in excitement.It was hard to believe that Valerie lived happily in the Nox household while I was locked away underneath the freezing dark waters of the Isle of the Blessed.A cold touch on my shoulder caused me to flinch in fear. I sighed in relief when I saw Bianca's face staring down at me with worry etched against her face. "You seemed to be lost in deep thoughts," Bianca blurted out. I forced a smile into my face and shook my head. "No, no, it's nothing serious," I muttered, adding a low, nervous laughter at the e
VALERIE (Asmodeus)Damion glanced at me again and looked away, fidgeting slightly in his seat. I smiled ruefully and swerved my head in Michelle's direction. Her eyes locked with mine and she quickly looked away, shivering slightly. My lips twitched in excitement at how I had trapped them in my nest. The only way they could escape was to obey my words and demands. I looked at the woman again, knowing exactly how to use them as my pawns to accomplish what I had in mind. "The Lycan kings aren't here yet?" The Luna Queen asked for the fourth time since everyone arrived and took their seats. "No, my lady," her maidservant replied and she sighed in disappointment, shaking her head. "Luna, are you sure they'll come? I heard that they hardly attend gatherings," the woman muttered. The Luna pouted in anger and sighed again, unable to defend her sons. "I wonder who told you that," a hard voice echoed in the hall and everyone swerved their head in the direction of the voice. My throat
VALERIE (Asmodeus)The hall was silent as all eyes were fixed on Michelle, demanding an explanation for her behavior. My fist clenched under the table as I glared warningly at her. Sweat broke out on my back as I thought of ways to stop her without creating more suspicions around me. "I think we're being attacked," Michelle blurted out. My nails sank into my palm and my throat knotted, my burning gaze fixed on Michelle's face. She turned and stared at me, her lips twitched into a smirk. She turned and faced the Luna again, that sinister smile lurking around her sharp dark eyes. "There is something that I must confess, Luna," she mumbled I figured out that she might have nothing to lose in this as Damion was behind her and would support her against me. I had to do something before it was too late. "Luna…" she paused and looked at me before facing the Luna, fake tears gathering in her eyes. "There is a—" I screamed in agony and gripped my stomach, dropping out of my chair. E
MICHELLE A smile spread out across my face as I watched her struggle to stay alive inside Valerie's body. "Give it up, Asmodeus, Valerie Garrett has returned," I snarled. Her head jerked up, and she growled in fury, then leaped towards me, knocking out my hand, which gripped her shoulder. Her hand reached for my neck and she pushed me roughly, hitting my back on the wall. My heart skipped but I maintained my stance and sank my nails into her flesh, sinking my teeth into my bottom lip. A dark cloud darted across her eyes and her grip around my neck tightened. "What did you say about my father, bitch?!" She growled in rage. I stiffened in shock and my eyes darkened as the realization hit me Valerie was back. She had subdued Asmodeus, and she wasn't just back to dominate her body and save the Lycan kings; she was back to seek revenge, to destroy. "If you didn't hear what I said then you wouldn't unlock yourself and come out," I wheezed, struggling to breathe as she choked me.
KILLIAN Lucian pushed the door open and walked in when we got no response after countless knocks. I trailed after him into the room and slammed the door shut behind me. My eyes fell on a body under a duvet and I needed no one to tell me that she was the one curled up in there. "Little Val?" Lucian called out to her but got no response. I sighed in frustration and made to move closer but Lucian held me back.My eyes dimmed in shock at his strange behavior towards me."Lucian?" I muttered, slowly getting enraged.He turned and faced me, dropping his hand which held me back."You've caused enough trouble for everyone. I'll advise you to stay away from her if you want her to be happy," he muttered, and my heart clenched in fury."You think I'm the cause of her unhappiness?" I scoffed in disbelief, glaring at him.He took a step closer, his brows furrowing together."If you hadn't started this mess in the first place, little Val would have been alright and happy," he spat.I balled my
MICHELLE I stood at the edge of the crowd, forcing a smile as Adriana danced with her sister, Arlene. My heart would always skip a beat every time she turned to look at me with an evil glee in her eyes.I needed no one to tell me that she planned on exposing me, but what I feared was the time she planned to do that.The music stopped playing and the Luna Queen grabbed a glass of wine, hitting a spoon against it.Everyone stopped what they were chattering about and focused on her.The Luna Queen smiled so happily, making my heart bleed. Whenever I saw her on that podium, I would always be reminded of the sadness on my mother's face before she died. That should have been my mother's throne, that should have been her place.If Luna Jasmine hadn't killed my mother back then, perhaps everything would have still been right. I wouldn't have to be intimidated by her mannerless daughter."It is time for the cutting of the cake and the announcement of a new age!" She announced and a loud ovat
VALERIE I walked into the large grand hall alongside Bianca, holding my head up high. A gasp slipped out of my lips the moment I stepped into the hall. It gave a charm that noroom had ever given. The ballroom stretched wide, its polished marble floor gleaming under the light of massive crystal chandeliers. Ornate gold-trimmed walls rose to meet a vaulted ceiling painted with delicate frescoes, while tall arched windows let moonlight spill across the room. Velvet drapes framed the windows, and soft classical music floated through the air, echoing the elegance of the atmosphere."Bianca, why does this place look so lovely?" I whispered, my eyes gleaming.She chuckled and nudged me playfully, a smile on her face."This is the grand hall of the Blood Moon Pack where every royal ceremony and gathering is held. Perhaps in the future, you and the Lycan kings will get married in this hall," she muttered and the smile on my face dropped."What?" I gasped.Her brows raised in confusion and
KILLIAN I walked down the dark hallway, swinging the blade in my hand and a cigarette stuck between my lips. I reached a door and punched in the passcode. The door rolled open and I walked into the room. The lights turned on, and my lips stretched into a smirk when my eyes fell on Alpha Cameron, who was struggling to remove the tapes tied around him. "Alpha Cameron, long time no see!" I laughed loudly, waving the blade in the air. He murmured but his words weren't delivered due to the gag on his mouth. "You want to say something?" I asked, grinning. He nodded his head, his eyes pleading. I chuckled and covered the spaces between us, then tore out the gag. He gasped in relief and sucked in some air, muttering words of gratitude. "A low-ranked alpha like you tried to step up to me? That is crazy!" I said, huffing loudly. He panted, refusing to say a word. I took a long drag at the cigarette and bent down, grabbed his hair."Tell me, who sent you?" I asked. He raised his eyes
MICHELLE "Your bath is ready, my lady," my maidservant said as she trudged into the bedroom. I smiled lightly and got off the chair that I was sitting on then shuffled into the bathroom. "Any news?" I asked her as I dipped my body into the warm water. "Did you prepare my gift?" I asked. "Yes, my lady," she responded. I smirked and took the body scrub, lathering my body with it. I would give Adriana a kind of gift that she would never forget. Not just her but everyone that would attend the birthday party that would be held tomorrow evening. "Your dress for the birthday ceremony has been delivered, my lady," the maidservant poked her head in and said. I smiled lightly and hummed in response, dipping my head into the water. Perhaps I could fulfill my mother's wish of finishing what she started and still be with the ones that I had always dreamed of being with. That would be killing two birds with a stone, and that was a method I had always been perfect in, even when I was a ch
ADRIANA My eyes batted in confusion and my lips trembled. "How can I argue with a dead woman? That's crazy!" I blurted out, unable to understand her words. Noah leaned closer, his eyes fixed on Diana. "Look here, Diana, I don't think it's the same woman. The woman behaved like every normal living being, she isn't—" "Hold on!" Diana said and took the phone, zooming the video. "Here, do you see that mole? That woman had that mole," she muttered, pointing at the small mole on the woman's face. "Who is this woman to you?" Noah asked while I replayed the video, searching for clues that would prove Diana either right or wrong. "She was my homeroom teacher in middle school. I attended her funeral with my parents," she muttered. "What killed her?" I asked. "Influenza," she mumbled. I peered closely and finally realized something strange about the woman. "Why is her skin tone different?" I muttered. Noah and Diana stopped talking and swerved their head in my direction. "What?" I
ARIANA Noah sighed and followed me out, laughing mockingly behind me. "Can you stop?" I snapped when I got to the parking lot. "Don't tell me that moron is your boyfriend—" "Was!" I corrected him, "Besides, I was just helping him become relevant." Noah stared at me in silence, his head tilted to the side while I fumed."You are pained, aren't you?" I scoffed and shook my head. "The only feeling I'm having right now is regret. I can't believe I let that leech go after the money I've given him. He'll pay for it all," I snarled, smirking sinisterly. "Now I know why you didn't break his skull in there," he chuckled and lit a cigarette, leaning on the car, beside me. My phone rang and I cursed loudly, bringing it out. I narrowed my eyes when Diana's name flashed across the screen. I accepted the call and placed the phone to my ear. "Are you in town? Let's meet up at our spot," she said. I felt relief wash over my body and I hummed in agreement. "I've had a terrible day, this i
ADRIANA I kept complaining about the blind lady as I marched out of the restaurant, swinging my bag in my hand. "Calm down, Ari, calm down!" Noah groaned as he trailed after me. I huffed and leaned on my car, filled with anger. "I need to go to an apparel store. I need a change," I muttered and slipped into the car. "Should I come along?" Noah asked as he stood by the door. I looked at him and hissed loudly. "Do you want to leave me alone?" He chuckled loudly and threw his hands in the air, strolling over to the other side before getting in. I ignited the car and drove off, still fuming in anger. "That trash had to get in when we were in the middle of something important," I complained, stepping on the acceleration pedal. "Come on, I've told you to let it go—""Don't tell me that shit, Noah!" I snapped. He shrugged lightly and sighed, reaching for his seatbelt. "How's Arlene?" He suddenly asked. I scoffed and twitched up my lips in disgust, feeling a slight pain in my ch
MICHELLE "You?" She gasped and sprang up. Before I could part my lips to defend myself, she slapped me hard on my cheeks. A sharp sting washed through the cheek she slapped and my eyes slammed shut. "You wench!" She spat and grabbed the cup of chocolate, emptying the rest of the chocolate drink on my body. "Adriana, I think that's okay," the young man pleaded, striding towards her. "No, it's not! This dress costs 3000 dollars! I doubt if she has ever earned that much before!" She snapped, glaring at me. I gulped hard and bowed slightly then picked up my face cap. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bump into the waiter," I muttered. People had already gathered around and some were even recording a video. "Sorry? You ruined my dress! How are you going to make up for it?" She snarled curtly. "I'm sorry!" I repeated, unable to come up with another word. "Stop saying the fucking sorry!" She yelled, stomping her feet on the ground. I flinched, staggering back while surreptitiously gl
MICHELLE I paced around my room, biting my nails in fear as Valerie's words kept echoing in my mind. I couldn't sleep all through the night and I had been glued to the window since daybreak, looking out for Adriana. Out of the four of them, Adriana had been the most cunning of them all. She had always had ulterior motives beneath the smiles on her face. Though, the shocking part was that I never expected her to add me to the list of the people she hated. I thought she loved me, I thought she wanted me to be with her brothers. I never knew she hated me and was just looking for the right time to strike. I was sure she wouldn't just dig into my life but also use my words and actions against me. I had to find out what she knew and get rid of anything that would destroy my image before the Luna and the entire Pack. I sighed and walked away from the window then slumped down into the bed, cupping my face. The door opened and my maidservant walked in with a tray of my favorite fruits