MasukGenevieve's POV"Just turn that shit off!" Nora grumbled sleepily as my phone's alarm clock rang non-stop. She sat up and threw a nasty glare at the broken nightstand where my phone rested.I almost laughed at her, but I was in a rush to beat time. I had woken up at the ring of the first alarm but didn't turn it off because I needed it to keep me grounded, and five or ten minutes later, it was ringing again. I quickly combed my hair and threw it into a neat bun before reaching for the phone."4:15 a.m.," I whispered as I turned off the alarm."The palace obviously has the highest and most recent technologies, yet it looks... ancient. Why does everyone behave as if we're still in the 1800s?"I chuckled. "This palace holds years of tradition and history. Of course, it'll look ancient, Nora. You don't expect them to let go of years of traditions simply because of technology."She huffed, leaning against the bed's headboard. "No wonder you're mated to the King. You're ancient yourself!"I
Genevieve's POVNora's mouth parted as she stared at me, keenly listening as I told her everything that happened after I went in for the interview until now. She shook her head in disbelief."No, no, wait..." She gulped. "The conclusion is, the Alpha King is the stranger from that night, he's your pup's daddy, and also happens to be your mate?"I nodded slowly."Fuck! This is messy."I let out a sarcastic laugh. "Right? My life is a mess. My family doesn't want anything to do with me, I got pregnant for a total stranger who happens to be one of the most feared supernatural beings, and now, to make things worse for me, he doesn't want me because he thinks I'm a whore who throws herself at any man she sets her eyes on."Tears streamed down my face as I recalled every word he said to me. Even Linda, who was excited that we'd found a second-chance mate, was also whimpering and hiding somewhere in my head—she seemed more heartbroken than I was.Nora simply pulled me into a hug and let me c
Third Person's POV"Welcome to the Royal Citadel, King Kael," King Valerius's deep voice echoed throughout the hall, his emerald gaze fixed on the vampire ruler opposite him.His words sounded welcoming, but his expression revealed the opposite. His tightened jaw, narrowed eyes, and clenched fists resting on the armrest of his chair showed how much he was forcing himself to sit under the same roof as King Kael.King Kael reached for his glass of wine with a smile playing on his lips and raised it toward King Valerius. "It's my pleasure to be here, King Valerius."With a stoic expression, King Valerius also reached for his wine, raised it slightly at King Kael, and gave a small nod. Then, both of them drank from their respective glasses. After taking a gulp from his wine, King Kael placed his glass on the table and looked at King Valerius with his unwavering smile."King Valerius, I doubt you invited me across borders simply to exchange cordial greetings and have a drink." He looked at
Third Person's POVKing Valerius's Chamber...Absolute silence rested upon the royal chambers, broken only by the crisp rustle of silk and the sharp click of cufflinks.King Valerius stood rigid before the floor-to-ceiling mirror, his jaw set in a hard, uncompromising line. Beta Bailey stepped behind him, smoothing the lapels of the King's tailored obsidian-and-silver dress coat, preparing him for the diplomatic meeting with the Vampire King.Beta Bailey had been serving King Valerius since childhood, and they were as close as brothers, but Beta Bailey still got choked up by his King's volatile aura. He tried his best to be of perfect behavior around King Valerius, especially when he was in or getting ready to be in an official mood—like this moment. He knew this was the time to hold his tongue, but the chaotic confrontation in the study was eating away at him."Is something bothering you, Bailey?" King Valerius broke the silence, staring at Beta Bailey's reflection behind him in the
Genevieve's POVKing Valerius's words were still haunting me even long after the door clicked shut behind him. It was just one night of recklessness, just one night of rebellion, and it snatched my dignity and reduced me to the title of a whore!I simply slid down against the cold stone, curled into myself, and cried my eyes out as his raw, disgusted expression wouldn't stop flashing through my mind. There wasn't hatred in his eyes, but the disgust in his gaze was far worse, and it showed his intention clearly—he would never accept me.While I was still questioning my life's decision, the door swung open, and a woman in a maid's attire entered the study."Miss Rivers?" Her head hung low as she addressed me. "Beta Bailey instructed me to take you to the east wing quarters. But first, your companion has been asking for you in the outer courtyard."Right, Nora must be getting anxious. I wiped my cheeks, rose to my feet, and followed her in silence. We passed through the marble corridors
Genevieve's POVThe air in the study suddenly felt thicker, making it hard for me to breathe. Is the Moon Goddess pranking me? The stranger in room 1688, who I never thought I'd ever cross paths with again in this lifetime, is actually standing in front of me, and he's the Alpha King. He's also my second-chance mate.I staggered back slightly as I locked gazes with him. His bright green eyes had faded into a darker shade of yellow, and those pair of yellow eyes held so much fury—I felt the intensity of his anger pricking my skin.While I was panicking, Linda was screaming in my head, "Mate! He's our mate! We have a second-chance mate! We have a second-chance mate!"Exasperated by her overexcitement, I blocked her from my thoughts, and... in a blur, I was slammed against a wall, and a groan escaped my lips. I lifted my head and realized he was no longer standing by the table. His huge frame was towering over me, and his hand was wrapped tightly around my neck as he pressed me against t







