Chapter 33

Leo's POV 

It was another night. Just like every other. I sat in my room, looking out at the sky as the moon spread its glow down on the earth.

My mind wandered, several thoughts scattering as I pondered on what my fate was.

It was all hard to believe, yet it was true. How would my people believe this? Diane was someone that they all waited for her death like it was what their happiness depended on, without realizing she was the same woman they were waiting for the vampire goddess to give me as a queen.

My eyes gazed at the ring in my hand, the same I had used to switch our scent back then in her pack. The same thing my grandmother mentioned was about the woman I was fated to be with.

Was she lying about that?

I couldn’t tell, but all I knew was that something strange was going on.

Like some sort of horror scene, I watched her turn into a ravaging vampire beast, an untamed monster that would destroy everything in its path.

She was no longer the weak, defenseless girl who would cower at the slightest threat. Instead, she was the fear that would snatch everyone’s breath.

The beast in her was exactly the same for a vampire lord, which could only mean two things. She was either the vampire lord herself or my queen as the vampire lord.

I was scared she would attack me when I entered that room because it was obvious she had no control over the dreadful creature that had taken over her.

It was the first time it would surface, but who knows when it will be its second? What if it goes out of control and becomes a threat to us?

After all, Diane was a werewolf gifted with such powers. She might be a hybrid, but that doesn’t change the fact that we are still enemies to her first nature.

As I leaned there in thought, a knock broke in, and I moved to the door and opened it.

A royal guard was standing there with his head bowed a bit.

As he raised his head, I recognized him to be the man I secretly assigned to keep watch on Diane and give me updates about what she was going through, since I hardly got to meet her.

My heart skipped as I saw the tension in his eyes.

“Hey, I hope you didn’t come with bad news! How is she? What happened?” I asked breathlessly, my eyes peering at him intensely.

“You need to come to the palace right away. I don’t think she will survive it.”

“Survive what?” My eyes widened, my skin crawling as my mind wandered about what it could be.

“Not only has she lost the baby, but they are about to run the deadly virus test on her after Zena claimed she was found bleeding black blood. The doctors also confirmed it. Right now, she is strongly suspected to be a demon.” He spilt, and I felt a storm of rage blast through me.

“What are you saying? What are you telling me? Are you joking with me?” My voice roared like thunder.

She lost my baby!

How?

And they are running what test?

“The king ordered that you should be left out of it for a reason I don’t know. I had to sneak out and deliver this news to you. Diane doesn’t seem to be who they are painting her to be… She…”

I couldn’t wait to hear whatever else he was saying as I ran past him with speed, my feet thumping with sheer force that mirrored the fury burning through my veins.

I hope all this turns out to be a prank because Zena will face my wrath in full force. I will show her how deadly I can be when what I treasure the most is tampered with.

The moment I entered the palace, four guards blocked me from going further.

“What is this?” I asked with a fierce look. Although they shivered in panic, they couldn’t move away, unable to disobey King Zaiper, my father, who had ordered them to stop me from going further.

“Son, I didn’t call for your presence here.” He seethed. “Go back to your room!”

“What is going on with her? "What is happening here behind my back?” I snarled, a deep growl rumbling from inside me as I fought to hold the fire inside me from bursting out.

“After she finished the pregnancy test, and we found out she didn’t have the baby anymore. We didn’t think it was necessary to involve you further because right now she is nothing but a slave of the enemy, and we…”

“I thought I would take her for the test myself?!” I bellowed, my heart heavy as I saw how broken Diane was.

She lay there with her hair disheveled and scattered all over her face. Pain, anguish, and despair filled her soul. I could feel every bit of it because the bond was still there.

Even with her wolf dead, I could still feel the mate bond.

“I’m sorry, but we didn’t see it as so important that you be the one to take her to the hospital.” My grandmother muttered with a shrug. “Zena and I went to the hospital tonight, and the doctor exposed her lies! Right now, we have to make sure she isn’t a trap from the wolf pack.”

“We suspect her pack now works with the demons to destroy us.” My father added, and it was like a spark to the rage inside me. I was feeling my unhinged beast, fighting to be set free.

They had beaten her into a stupor and fed her deadly insects that were inflicting grueling pain inside her stomach.

I could see the container Zena was holding in her hand that contained the insect.

“Can we deliver the most important news to him already?” A voice I didn’t expect sounded in my ears, making me turn sharply in the direction.

“Liam??” I exclaimed, my eyes widening as I saw him step forward.

“Buddy…” he called, and we both hugged tightly.

“When did you return from your endless vacation? I really thought something bad had happened to you because there was no way to reach out to you.” I narrowed my eyes at him and immediately caught the wolf scent on his body as though he also using the charm we use for the mission in Diane’s pack.

“He had been my secret eye all through your mission, and that is why I believe all you said, because he confirmed them to be true.” My father chipped in, and I squinted my eyes at him, realizing at that moment that he had really betrayed his loyalty to my father for me.

“Yeah… . How are you doing, bro?” He laughed, his eyes gleaming with happiness.

“I’m great. Just a bit sad I didn’t have the baby I thought I had…. I was thinking she had my baby!”

“That shouldn’t bother you when you can easily have another with anyone in this kingdom. Anyways… our target has finally arrived, and she looked so vulnerable!” He spilt, sending a wave of hope through everyone.

“Why did you say so? Alpha Kane would give his life to protect her.” I said doubtfully.

He laughed. “That is what we thought, but it isn’t that way! This midnight, we met in the river late, and she wasn’t with any guard whatsoever! I wished you were there with me. She would have been our captive immediately.”

“That is why you will both return to the mission. An emergency one that needed to be finished in seven days. No slacking. No mistake. No weakness! We must get her to weaken Kane!” My father's voice thundered in the room.

“It is a trap…” Diane’s weak voice broke in, and there was silence as everyone’s attention shifted to her.

“What is this thing saying?” Zena spat, hatred reeking in her tone.

“How is she even here hearing our plan? She will leak it to her people! Fuck! Let’s kill this evil girl!” Mara, the chief maid, hissed, looking at the king for approval.

“You are right. She has no unborn baby to use as an excuse for her evil craft now, so what are we waiting for? Give me the order.” Zena added with a maniac smile.

“If you want me dead, there is a way to make it honorable for yourself!” Diane said aloud, and everyone waited to hear what she had to say. She stood up straight with defiance, her fists clenched and fierce eyes peering straight at Zena.

“How about we have a duel to death after ten days of preparation?”

A loud silence fell in the room.

There was shock and uncertainty in everyone’s eyes, especially Zena's parents, who suddenly developed doubts about the challenge.

I smiled inwardly, trusting Diane as if I was sure her beast would show up.

“Did you agree with this?" He faced Zena. "It would be a thing of pride to kill her that way in front of everyone in this kingdom.” My father said to Zena who had a big smirk on her face.