Bearing the weight of rejection Lisa’s POV Meeting Anita was always a good thing. She made me so happy that I didn’t think about anything else. She was my closest companion. “I will be leaving to see my mother, Linda,” I announced. “Isn’t that too early, ma’am?” Linda asked. “No,” I replied, opening the door. “I’ll be right back.” As I left the room to see my mother, I encountered my enemy. “Isn’t this the king’s mate?” she sneered. I ignored her and walked past. “Stop right there,” she demanded, grabbing my arm. “Are you deaf?” She yelled and dragged me back. “I ask you to stop.” I folded my arms and grinned as her bitchy look amused me. “Who are you to stop me?” “I am his true mate and queen. You’re just a breeding machine,” she mocked. “You should respect me because I’m his queen.” “Really? A queen who is unable to bear his child?” I retorted, my voice thick with contempt. I smiled, enjoying my own cruelty. All of her blood drained from her face. She looked at me in dis

Deception and retribution. Maria's POV In front of him, I was being kind to her. I even asked him to let her dine with us, not because I was happy, but because I wanted to prove to her that her mate belonged to me. But why? Why wasn't everything going the way I wanted? I even pretended to be sick. I was frustrated that my attempt to win Alex's sympathy had failed. Why weren't things going as planned? Was this due to her? It was all because of that damn girl. I didn't see why he had to make her stay with us. She came here to steal what was rightfully mine—the queen's throne. "My queen, are you still thinking about that nasty girl?" Miranda asked me. She was the maid assigned to me by Alex. She was a loyal maid, and what I like most about her is that she could easily be manipulated. It was time to show off my best acting skills. The thing I knew how to do best. I started tearing up. "What else can I think of if not her?" I wailed. "Miranda, can you stop calling me your queen? I am y

I’m the QueenContent warning: This chapter contains a violent scene. Please skip it if you are not interested. Thank you.Lisa’s POV“Ma’am, are you okay?” Linda asked, sitting next to me. If I said I was fine, I would be lying. My body hurts. What did I do to deserve this? I didn’t do it. Why don’t they believe me?“I’m not fine, Linda,” I responded in pain.“I know you’re innocent. You’ll be fine, ma’am.”“Do you believe me? Do you think I didn’t do it?” I asked, hoping someone would believe me. Her response astonished me.“Yes, madam. I believe in you. You couldn’t have done that,” she replied. “I’ve been taking care of you. I’m proud to say that I know your character. You’re not the kind of person to do something awful. I’m puzzled as to why the king can’t see that you’re being framed.”In pain, I looked around just to see her face. She had no idea what her words meant to me.“Thank you for believing in me, Linda. You don’t know how much it means to me.”“Ma’am, can I say somethin

King Alexander's Struggle. I'm not in love with her. King Alexander's POV: I had been thinking about her. I wondered why I couldn't seem to get her off my mind. "Don't tell me that you're in love." I heard Keen's mocking voice. "Do you love her?" "Hehe! You must be joking, Keen," I smirked. "How can I love her when I'm in love with Maria?" "Are you sure about what you're saying, Alex?" Keen asked. "Are you truly in love with Maria, or do you just care for her because she saved you?" "I wonder why you think that I'm in love with her, someone who isn't my wife." I heard someone knock on the door. "Yes, come in." I said, cutting off the link. Marcus walked in with Maria, and I was furious to see them together. "Why are you both coming in together?" I asked, staring at my beta. "Tell me, Marcus." "Don't tell me you're jealous, Alex," Maria snarled as she approached me, wrapping her hand around my neck. It was rare for her to do this in Marcus's presence. "What are you doing?" I

Fury unleashed.Lisa's stance."Are you awake, my lady?" I heard someone ask. I wanted to open my eyes, but they felt heavy. What exactly was wrong with me? Slowly, I opened my eyes to see Linda's troubled face. "What's wrong, Linda?" I asked, attempting to sit up, but every part of me hurt like hell. "I want you to take it easy, my lady," she mumbled as she helped me sit. "What's wrong?" I asked again. "Do you not remember anything, my lady?" She questioned me. "What should I remember?" "Nothing. It is for the best, my lady," she groaned. She wasn't herself. "Ha!" I screamed out. I felt like I was dying. "What's wrong, my lady?" I cried, holding my head. "My head. It hurts so much. Please make it stop." "I need to go get the doctor. Wait for me, my lady." Linda ran out, but she was back soon. "Are you feeling better now, my lady?" She inquired, holding me. "Yes, I'm feeling better." My head hurts less now. I could remember everything. I could remember what those crazy coup