Arlen’s red eyes quivered as he boldly embraced Roxanne. “I’m sorry,” he bowed sharply after letting go. The tears came on their own, without his permission.Roxanne patted the drops away with a handkerchief. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. You did what you had to. I, on the other hand, contributed to your suffering for years. Can you forgive me?”“Only if you won’t scold me for dropping out of school and eloping with an alpha.”“In your defense, you did get locked up in prison for something you were innocent of… and he was an alpha who loved you beyond sentiment,” Roxanne smiled. A burden melted away as she got to hold the young man again.“Lady Maren…” Rufus bowed to her.“I’m only here because of my father and my brothers,” Maren avoided his eyes.“I understand.” Rufus felt the lie in her voice, and it stirred something fussy in his chest.“Prince Arlen, we have to get to your father at once if we wish to end this war. My aunt and I will vouch for your innocence.” Axel’s kind s
Zavian and his group were the first to enter the city. Their role was to create a major diversion, so Theoden and the rest could sneak into the southern castle gates, from where the pressure would be less. But again, this place was weirdly empty. As they advanced forward, there was finally some sign of life: scores of soldiers standing guard at the entrance.Leading the men, Zavian charged at the disciples who appeared to be unmoved by their aggression. Once their swords struck the enemy, they disappeared into thin air.“Huh?” Zavian scrunched his face in awe. He shrugged off the feeling and gave the signal to keep moving. Carrying forward, they saw a different set of troops, leading them away from the main castle walls, towards the coast to another fort. Like blind mice, they attacked again. Killing them did not work because they too vanished upon contact.This left the invaders confused and highly spooked. They began to murmur amongst themselves, slowly falling into the trap by taki
Reed packed light for the journey - just enough to keep them warm in case they couldn’t reach the next town. It was a dicey gamble, but he pinned his hopes on going south. Wandering into the vast unknown of forestry was far from ideal, yet it was a better option than heading for the borders where clans lay in ambush. It wouldn’t be safe.Seeing Julius so calm and composed made the alpha want to protect him with his last drop of blood. Julius did not complain or fight back as they walked the path to freedom. But after hours of trekking, Reed noticed his companion was starting to slack behind.At first, he believed Julius was simply hesitant to leave, but then he saw a change in the beta’s breath - and the tired look in his eyes. Reed hadn’t realised the talisman could drain Julius like this.Reed levelled with him, took the beta’s hand without warning, and draped it over his shoulder.“What are you doing?” Julius’s cheeks reddened as the alpha crouched slightly and lifted his weight.“
Roxanne did not tarry when she received word from her nephew. Gathering a few men, she put things in place and left her homeland. It took days traveling by an airship, but she finally touched down in Kellet.“Axel, you said it was urgent.” Roxanne managed to stay composed despite her troubled mind. She was never one to show emotion, though she never imagined Axel would have company. “Queen Basma, Lady Maren…” She was surprised to see them.“Aunt, we have to stop him,” Axel said helplessly.“Nephew, what’s going on?” Roxanne’s brow scrunched. Axel sighed, glancing at the women before speaking. His statements were precise and brief, but Roxanne needed stronger reasons to meddle in her brother’s warfare.“Why would Theoden call it off after all Arlen Braddock did to the great clans?”“My nephew has done nothing,” Queen Basma interjected with a sarcastic smirk.Roxanne raised a brow. “Your nephew?”“I raised that boy. He is incapable of striking the innocent - not for the likes of your de
"You seem distant. What's on your mind?" Owen had served dinner by the fire, yet his companion hardly touched his share. "It's just me and you, Julius. You're safe with me.""You have to take me back to my Master," Julius pleaded. Reed was not a man he could hurt without hurting himself."You really care about him," Reed said."Do not look at me that way," Julius' lips curved into a dubious smile. "Master Arlen and I are like sworn brothers - a soul flame. One does not go without the other.""Hmm... I figured. But where does that leave me?""You?"Their eyes met in awkward silence. Not even the night could stop Reed from getting lost in that glow."Buried somewhere in my soul... Pfft... I'm sorry, I don't know where that came from," the beta said, scratching his head and looking back at the fire with a flushed face.Owen grinned, staring closely at the man next to him with a profound longing. The Prince was right - there was something else besides rage inside this beta. Without holdin
Julius thought he had fallen into a dream when he woke up in an old bed, cooped up in a different setting than the one he slept in the night before. Sitting up, the world appeared brighter. He could hear the shrill melody of birds chirping and a rushing stream sweeping over pebbled rocks. There was a faint throb in his head, but it subsided as he gathered himself.A pair of straw slippers sat beside the bedpost, along with a bamboo hat perched on the side.Julius' mind remained blank even as he stepped outside the wooden hut. The tranquillity of nature greeted him with a glimmer he had not seen in days. His feet stumbled a few times as he moved further away from where he had slept. When they came within inches of the clear stream, he stopped. Something about this stillness felt off- too off for someone like him."You're awake."His gaze shot away from the water. He adjusted his footing as the familiar voice approached, attached to a tall, healthy man. Thick dark brows, kind eyes, a we