CHAPTER FORTY ONE**Lyrien feels something isn't right the moment he rode into his village. A full, desolate feeling suffocates his chest and a clawing sensation of loss that he cannot describe. A terrible feeling pools in his stomach. Lyrien rushes inside the hut that his mate is meant to be resting in."Rene!" He growls out the name, but there is no use; the emptiness of the room greets his gaze. His mate isn't there. Rene is gone!Lyrien whips around, fury reflecting in his eyes. He disobeyed him!His little mate ran off as soon as he left!Lyrien feels a dreadful gut clenching sensation, Just how long has Rene been planning this escape?Since the beginning?He has been a fool to let his guard down and trust Rene!Lyrien's narrow gaze ignites like heated coal, shrouding with suspicion as he spots the fur coat on the floor of their hut.His lips twist in realization when he sees the shattered cup. . . The basin of water that has been knocked off. All signs of a struggle. The
CHAPTER FORTY TWO**Lyrien has never been so impatient to the point of insanity, he is enraged to the core, fear that he may already be too late clawing his insides, his tensed muscles threatening to explode. "It's you, you must know something, where did you take Rene?"Yara pales at Kai's accusation, faltering at Lyrien's ominous gaze that suddenly flashes at her. "Don't be absurd, you're close to him but don't charge me for something I didn't do!" She fires defensively, "You already threatened him before; you are jealous of his child. Is this why you hurt him?" Yara's face turns to ash when Lyrien approaches deliberately, his steps threatening. "Do you have something to do with this?!" Lyrien's voice booms, spreading an unnerving chill to everyone present. "No, I don't know anything about this. You k-know how that. . . I'd never go against you," Yara stammers in fear, but Lyrien is already beyond listening, anxiety thickening his senses as his cold words slash the air slowly
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE * * It is naturally impossible to dissolve a mate's bond. . . Javier is bluffing, Rene knows it. "I currently have this trial going on; if it's successful, Rene, even an omega can become stronger, surely not like an Alpha, but there will suddenly be an improvement. I'm thinking that this may also work with weakening your bond, so even if Lyrien gets hurt, you will be fine." A sick feeling twists in Rene's stomach, his mind racing with the implication of Javier's words. Those omegas trapped outside. . . "You're using them for trials? They are people, not animals! How can you do this?" Rene demands, his voice trembling from anger. Those young males are separated from their clans, and most of them even look underaged; they can be no more than fifteen or sixteen winters at most. Javier's unbothered expression doesn't change, "Most of our warriors are dead, If I'm going to defeat the Dahomes, I need to build up an army quickly. . . " Javier halts, seeing Ren
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR**Rene stands frozen, a prolonged silence stretching between them. Right this moment, as he gazes at Kyra, his heart is pounding so hard in his chest, threatening to shatter his ribs as Eren's words replay in his mind. "What happened? Not happy to see me?" Rene's eyes narrow as Kyra approaches even closer, covering up the distance between them, her eyes brims with hurt as though she has done nothing wrong, and Rene snaps. "I know everything now, you deceived me. You murdered my mother," The raw emotions tear through him, making his voice crack.A deep part of him wants to cling to the hope that Kyra is innocent. . . That Eren had only lied to him and that all Kyra's kindness had not been fake. Kyra sighs, a look of relief brushing her expression, "So, you know it now? I guess I don't have to pretend to like you anymore; it has been so difficult, you know. . ."The stabbing pang of betrayal and anger sears through Rene's heart. It's true.All of Eren and So
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE * * The distant feminine scream snaps Rene's gaze open. His eyes land on the crusty ceilings; the cry just now sounds like Kyra's voice. His body is still tensed from the emotions he has been forced to suppress. Javier had locked him here inside the hut, and two Alphas are guarding the only exit from the room. The sound of wood unlocking whips Rene's head towards the door. Javier enters, and two servants walk behind him carrying trays of food. Rene's gut clenches with hunger, but at the same time, he refuses to touch anything; his queasy stomach will not allow it. He also doesn't wish to receive any kindness rendered by Javier. Javier sighs when Rene shows no reaction to the meal; he quietly waves the servants off and crouches down to sit on the space beside Rene on the mattress. He ignores the resentful glare that Rene is shooting in his direction, "I'm sorry about your mother," Rene doesn't respond or even acknowledge that Javier has spoken. Javier
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX**Adrenaline propels Rene into the woods, his heart pounding wildly, nearly tripping over the sea of bodies lying dead on the ground. The air in the forest is pungent with the smell of blood and death. The rough edges of tree branches scrape Rene's body, adding to his wounds. He trips over a few fallen trees, yet he doesn't stop; each step is filled with desperation. The sound the horses are closer, he needs to get to them quicker. . . To tell them to save Lyrien before it's too late. He crashes hard against an unforeseen object, and a burst of air explodes from his lungs, leaving him gasping as his gaze lifts to see the warrior gazing down at him. Horden. Both males stare at each other with rapidly growing tension until Horden steps forward, forest leaves crunching beneath his booted leg. Rene's heart coils with apprehension when Horden's fist tightens around his weapon, an Axe. . . "I think this is quite a familiar scene; Your brother also tried to escape
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN**Lyrien bursts into the village. He holds a motionless Rene close to his chest.Hearing the faint beat of Rene's heart motions Lyrien to move even faster, the gruesome sight of the blood continuing to seep out of Rene's thighs pushing him over to the edge, and he is on the verge of losing control.“Get the healer immediately,” Lyrien orders,“She’s already waiting inside,” Kai responds, glancing down at the beaten body of Rene and his face turns a sickly shade of white. Lyrien paces like an untamed wild beast in a cage, watching basin upon basin of water, all drenched in his mate's blood, being taken out. The healer pulls out a mixing bowl and attempts to feed Rene, but his mouth remains frozen shut. Lyrien hastily grabs the paste from the healer, crouching down beside Rene, patting his cheek in a manner so tender compared to the turmoil raging in his heart."I need you to swallow this, please. . ." The desperate plea slips past Lyrien's lips for the first ti
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT**Over the next couple of weeks, Rene's health slowly returns under the care of Amala.After that first night, he woke up only a handful of times. When he did, it wasn’t for very long, and he didn’t speak. Oftentimes, he would just stare blankly into space and cry grievously.Kai came to visit frequently, and today, even Haesir accompanies him; Rene looks behind them, and his expression becomes sullen with disappointment.Lyrien still hasn't come to see him. Not even once. Rene has been unconscious but he knows this.Kai, seeing Rene's depressed eyes, shares a conflicted glance with Haesir. "Lyrien was badly poisoned during the fight, I'm sure he doesn't want to worsen your situation by coming here,"Rene's face remains blank, unmoved by Kai's words. Kai sighs aloud, watching Rene suffer in despair consumes his mind with sorrow, not knowing how to pull Rene out of this dark state is eating his heart alive. Rene closes his eyes again and Kai pats his cold hand
This is not an update!Dear lovely readers, I'm deeply sorry to inform you that I won't be able to update for a short while. I recently did a minor surgery on my eyes, so I'm advised to stay away from my laptop. I'll be back soon with more interesting chapters, please bear with me, I love you all. Thank you for all your supports, once again, I'm deeply sorry.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN * * "I want to mark you so deeply" Lyrien continues, grazing strong fingers down Rene’s exposed collarbone, "That even the stars know you’re mine.” “Lyrien,” Rene whimpers, dragging Lyrien from the daze he seems to have fallen into. “I want to spend every second here in this hut rutting with you, knotting you deeply until you cannot think of anything else, but me!” " he whispers, leaning even closer so that their lips nearly brush, but even so, their gazes remain magnetized. “So, I want to bury myself in you and forget the rest of the world exists. Is this... love?” Lyrien’s voice cracks at the end— with something fragile. Wounded. A moment passes silently, and then helpless frustration flashes across Lyrien's face. “I guess not,” he whispers. “Maybe because, I only know how to take, how to conquer and to own, perhaps this is all I'm capable of, Lyrien becomes blurred under Rene’s tearful gaze; the lost look in his mate's eyes, which is c
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN * * From a young age, Lyrien had been driven with the sole purpose of conquering lands and strengthening their clan. To redeem his bloodline. He had cut off every emotion that was linked to being weak, seen as vulnerable, and unfit. Engraved so deeply within him was the unwillingness to walk in his father's path and make the same mistakes. He had never wanted a mate nor to share a bond with anyone, and on the rare occasions that he did allow himself to think about it, a mate was only a means to an end. A power symbol. A tool for breeding. One would lead. One would submit. Simple. Controlled. But his very principle shattered the day this fair-headed omega stumbled into his life, sacrificed to him, and Lyrien had eaten his prey. Tasted the forbidden fruit. Even back then, Rene had radiated so bright, something so fragile, yet so beautiful, flooding that dark space with his warmth and light. And before Lyrien knew it, the icy wall he'd spent
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN * * Rene inhales deeply and the smell of breakfast wafts into his nostrils, and all of a sudden, his stomach feels very queasy. Sighing, he climbs off the bed; much to his luck, Lyrien is nowhere in the hut as Rene disposes of the unpleasant-smelling food. If Lyrien finds out that he has been skipping meals, there's no doubt that he will throw a fit, but these days, Rene has zero appetite; perhaps this is also an aftermath symptom of the heat he recently underwent. His attention shifts to the door, the loud voices outside gnaw at Rene's curiosity, but the first step he takes outside the hut fills him with instant regret. His feet sway as dizziness attacks his whole body. Ugh. . . Not again! The morning air is cool but Rene's skin feels overly warm, his breath hot. When will these symptoms pass? But Kai had told him it's normal to expect a few changes until his body readjusts to normal cycle. It shouldn't be this severe. Why are my own thi
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE * * Luca stiffens slightly as his eyes land briefly on the particular female who watches him with a strong flicker of hope in her eyes. Deranged, dark eyes, but then it is to be expected that she has completely lost her mind. "Brother. . . You came to see me, right?" Yara grips the metal bars to her cell, her stomach is bigger now, heavy with child. "I knew you wouldn't entirely forsake me," For some seconds, Luca's gaze roams Yara's now scrawny features; her eyes are sunken and red; she is certainly not doing well in this foul-smelling environment. "I'll put to birth any time soon, I cannot give birth here! Lyrien changed his mind, right?" She laughs, high and broken. "You're here to get me out, I know you are! Does he want the baby now? Will I become the Lady Chief? Why won't he want me? I was there for him first!" She suddenly screams, tears assaulting her eyes at Luca's dead expression. Luca's expression tightens, at this moment, he doesn
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN * * Tears spill freely down Soral’s cheeks now, hot and silent. His body aches in too many ways to count, but it's worse in his chest, his heart feels like a raw, open wound. “I'm scared. . .”He grasps Vidarr tightly, meeting the barbarian’s dark, now lust-filled gaze. “What are you afraid of?” Even now, Soral cannot bring himself to answer. A past already forgotten, perhaps speaking about it will manifest it into existence. Late into the night, the fires are now dim, but the pair does not need an external source to keep them warm. Soral's exhausted body drifts off and for the first time in a long time, the nightmare visited. He dreams of the old village. A slave to serve the noble Akleris, but Soral hadn't always been a slave. For the first five years of his life, he had parents like every child. “We are family, aren't we? Selling you will feed us for a week, can you not do this much for your family?” “Besides, you are an omega, keeping you
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TEN * * Soral blinks twice, his frantic mind scrambling for a response, how did the conversation suddenly sway in this unwanted direction? What prize is this barbarian even talking about?! Soral's hand flies towards his neck, as though to shield it from Vidarr's lazily wandering gaze, his body quivering with sudden chills. Only a few moments ago, he thought he'd completely wrap this barbarian around his fingers. . . Or had he not? "So. . . Mark or not?" Vidarr drawls, shattering the momentary silence; a concealed smirk tugs on his lips as he watches his flustered prey. Soral feels ensnared by the mysterious gleam in Vidarr's eyes, is fate toying with him? How can he suddenly demand this?! "No mark!" Soral shakes his head vehemently, he knows only little about mating bonds, but he knows they will become family in the truest sense if he bears this Alpha's mark. . . Such an intimate tie, yet, meaningless to those who have them. He doesn't need blood tie
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINE * * Soral whimpers, leaning up, his lips trembling as he joins it to Vidarr's "I’m yours. I need you." Vidarr’s control shatters. He seizes Soral’s mouth in a brutal kiss, plundering him without mercy. His hand yanks at the breeches clinging to Soral’s hips, ripping them down roughly with one hand, exposing him to the cold air—and to him. Soral clings to him, matching the kiss with frantic hunger, their bodies colliding as Vidarr fills him up in one solid thrust. Vidarr doesn't stop until he fills completely, and Soral, who adjusts past the initial discomfort, doesn't know if he can survive the pleasure of it all. Vidarr's hips rock into him with soft, unhurried movements. The pleasure is a slow build, bringing them higher and higher with each thrust. Their heavy breaths mingle together, bodies slick with sweat as each minute passes “Vidarr . . .” Soral whimpers, his fingers digging into Vidarr's shoulders as his scrotum tightens; Vidarr reaches
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT **"He stays outside," Vidarr's voice rings with cold finality, slicing through the chill air, leaving no room for argument.Soral stares at the smaller cottage, which is isolated some distance from the larger one he shares with Vidarr. His chest tightens."At least, for tonight, can't he—""No."The flat, dead tone silences him.Soral bites his lip, glancing at Tyr, who shrinks under Vidarr’s glare. Fear flickers in the boy’s eyes. Soral’s mind whirls with questions, so many things only Tyr can answer—what had happened in the village, how he'd ended up with Yori.They hurt him.The thought squeezed Soral’s heart painfully. His shoulders slump with resignation when Vidarr doesn't soften. Vidarr has agreed to take the omega with them, but he would be damned before letting him invade his and Soral's space."Now," Vidarr’s voice drops, dangerously soft; Soral gazes up at him as he continues "How about you finish what you started earlier, omega? Your litt