ANNA'S POVBoth the Alpha and I were distracted from our conversation as we watched the young lady walk towards us.She was about my age although her eyes looked older, the telltale signs of hardship and a painful life aging young eyes.She walked with her head high and purposeful steps but one could see that it was all a mask for the fear that was in her.She looked entirely out of place, her bland, cheap clothes a striking contrast to the magnificence and beauty of the palace.She looked unsure and there was a hesitant look about her, as if she was not entirely certain about what she was doing.Her whole demeanor attracted me to her and I was eager to know what she was here for.Her eyes flitted from Alpha Lartes to me while our eyes were both fixed on hers.She went on her knees when she got before the Alpha but I could see the struggle it took her to do it. Immediately, my heart went out to her."My King, I am your humble servant, Abigail Penwell," the lady said and I was amazed a

ANNA'S POVOnce again, the room was as silent as a graveyard."I need a name," Alpha Lartes said.Abigail was quiet.I said a prayer to the goddess to come to Xavier's aid. As much as I hated the fool, I couldn't let him die.Not now and not by Lartes' hands. If anyone was going to kill Xavier, it should be by my hands and on my terms."What is the name of this person you talk about?" Alpha Lartes asked again. I could hear his anger growing in his voice.He was trying his best to keep his cool. I could see from the rhythmic tapping of his feet that there was a rampage broiling inside of him."I am scared my King," Abigail said."Scared of what?" Alpha Lartes bellowed. "I have assured you your life and I don't intend to go back on my words. If you tell me what I need to know, you will live. But if you refuse to talk, then so be it," Alpha Lartes said his voice threatening.I could see the emotion I had noticed about her as she first walked into the throne room. It was regret.She now k

XAVIER'S POV I held my breath as I awaited my death sentence.Abigail still did not glance at me even as my uncle referred to me.I had always thought that I was not scared of death but right now, as I awaited Abigail's response which could lead to my death, I realized that no matter how tough one was, death was its humbling factor."Do you know what I will do to you if you don't talk? I will sit you upon a hot stove, your hands tied behind your back while you watch as I rip out the tongue and eyes and every single body part of your family members piece by piece till all that was left was an unrecognizable block of torso," My Uncle said in a voice so genuine and sincere one had every cause to believe he was going to make good on his threat."I won't kill you. You shall live, daily on the brink of death, wishing so dearly for it but never getting it," My Uncle continued.My Uncle was never one who threatened. He felt like it made him look weak. He believed in just doing and no one wou

ANNA'S POVI listened for her footsteps but I could not hear anything. She was obviously careful so her footsteps would not make any sound.I sniffed the air trying to see if I would pick up her scent but there was totally nothing. She had masked her scent too. She was wise. She had made sure no one would be able to track her down.I should have given up since the odds were not in my favour but I could not let her get away. I needed to meet her. I needed to understand what was going on because it did not make sense to me.I knew that Xavier had a hand in the rebellion against his Uncle thanks to what happened the first day I arrived but I still could not believe that a coward like him who could not even stand up to his uncle would be able to lead an entire gang so notorious it made the almighty Lartes worry and would earn such loyalty from them.I needed to know if he was just an informant from the palace, a role which would make much sense as cowards were known to be snitches, or if

ANNA'S POV"Not really, but what did you expect us to say? You claim Xavier is a traitor and your proof to that is the fact that he got engaged. Doesn't that sound like a joke to you?" The first male voice that had spoken said again."He is a traitor! Don't you guys see? Why would he keep his engagement away from us? He claimed his Uncle forced him into it, is that not something we should have known? He always seemed to update us about everything going on in the palace and between him and his Uncle so what made this one different?" Abigail said.The anger in her voice was so strong, I could feel it from where I was.And her words clarified my suspicions. Xavier was not the leader of the rebels. He was only their informant.And in Abigail's defense, I agreed that he had not done his job by keeping his engagement a secret."He may have his reasons Abigail!" Another male voice thundered from within."Of course he did! Tell me why he had the mind to attend a party when our lives were bein