chapter 1

He never came back

Those words had been written in Bianca’s heart and erasing them would be impossible. She could remember how Harry came to her two days ago. He was as optimistic as ever and he gave her no reason to worry. But now, it was all over. He was dead.

**

“Bianca! Go rinse the sheets!” The head maid ordered. Bianca ran outside to heed her command. If she didn’t run, it was seen as being proud. An omega like her was supposed to be humble and allow herself to be trampled upon. The reason wasn’t far-fetched. It was all because she was an omega, the lowest sect of Karth, the werewolf world.

About her origin, Bianca was a war slave originally from the Ironfang pack. However, a bloody war ensued eighteen years ago between the Ironfang pack and the Drakonvale pack. The Ironfang pack ended up losing most of their territories and thousands of their people were taken as slaves. Bianca was one of them.

She was given the surname, Rock, a name given to war slaves like her. Slaves were meant to serve for their entire lives. All they could ask for was a good owner. As for Bianca, she was sent to the palace, the most noble and probably one of the best places. She didn’t have to starve nor did she need to entertain men with her body. That was a life good enough for a slave.

But everything changed after she met Harry.

Harry Ember was the only son of the noble family of Ember in the Drakonvale pack. His family had a long history of being warriors and Harry was one as well. His father died in the war sixteen years ago and at a young age, Harry became the head of his family. He was rather skilled and he ended up becoming one of the most important warriors to the Alpha of the pack, Alex Drakonvale.

How Harry and Bianca met was nothing short of magical. Bianca had been denied lunch for coming five minutes late from the stream to fetch water.

“But I’m hungry. We didn’t have breakfast either…” Bianca murmured. However, the supervisor heard her.

“What did you say?” The supervisor looked into Bianca’s eyes. Her eyes were cold like those of a beast. She got angry frequently but rarely in this manner.

“Nothing, milady. I was only muttering to myself…” Bianca responded, eager to get away from the danger zone.

“You must believe I am foolish!” The supervisor was infuriated. “Guards, this lowly thing has insulted my authority. Drag her out and flog her!”

That sounded like trouble and Bianca was aware. However, there was nothing she could do. Two maids grabbed Bianca and dragged her out to the guards. Bianca was in tears even before the whip landed on her back. The two evil-looking guards must have wanted someone to flog so badly. Bianca was tied up as she whimpered like a baby. The supervisor was smiling. She had been looking for a means to establish her authority and Bianca showed up readily.

“Flog her till her legs are battered. Don’t go easy on her!” The supervisor chanted. The first whip caught Bianca’s right leg and bruised it immediately. Just as the second whip was about to land, Harry appeared just like her prince in shining armor.

“Stop!” Harry shouted. Everyone looked up but Bianca didn’t see him then since she was tied up. The supervisor blocked Harry’s path, sizing him up from head to toe. Harry didn’t break eye contact. He was just as confident as ever.

The supervisor was confused about who Harry could be. He was dressed in a noble robe which could only mean he was from a prestigious family. However, she didn’t know who he was. Before becoming the supervisor of the maids, she worked outside the palace so she knew almost every son from every noble family. However, Harry’s face brought no memories to her. Thus, she concluded he must be trying to impersonate someone from a noble family.

“Identify yourself, young man!” The supervisor exclaimed.

“Harry Ember,” He replied.

“Ember…” The supervisor muttered. “I must have heard that name before. Even at that, you have no reason to interfere in the issues of the inner palace, young master.”

“I am Lord Harry Ember, the head of the Ember family. You shall address me by my formal title, supervisor,” Harry told her firmly. He looked at Bianca and the gaze in his eyes changed. He was angry. “Why is that young lady tied up there?”

“It is the inner palace business, Lord. Please take your leave already,” The supervisor looked into Harry’s eyes. Even though she was afraid, she knew if she showed weakness here, none of the maids would ever fear her again. She had to be resolute.

“I order you to free her!” Harry said firmly.

“And who in the world are you to give me such an order? You might be Lord outside the palace but can’t you keep your arrogance aside? One more word from you and I shall report to the palace’s butler or even the commander of the royal guard,” The supervisor said confidently. She believed that Harry would be scared now. After all, who didn’t fear the commander of the royal guard?

But Harry smiled. He removed an identification tag from his pocket and almost shoved it at the supervisor’s face.

“I am Lord Harry Ember, the new commander of the royal guard!” Harry said with a smile on his face. The supervisor fell to her knees and began to shake. Now she could remember. He was the famous warrior who had conquered the rebelling forces at the Eastern border. Now that she had wronged him, he might as well order her death.

“Forgive me, my Lord. Sorry, forgive me, Lord Commander. I am just a foolish woman who is getting accustomed to palace life. Have mercy on me, Lord Commander!” The supervisor begged. She feared so much for her life that she was teary.

“I gave you a command, didn’t I?” Harry asked her.

“Release her!” The supervisor shouted at the guards. “Release her right now!”