Hakeem From Empire Age Novels & Stories

Should do what I always did and put the empire first. But I didn’t move. Just stood there in that hallway outside her room, listening to Nico’s voice murmuring something I couldn’t make out, listening to Nina’s quiet responses. And I made a decision. I wasn’t my father. I wouldn’t be my father. Which meant I had to let her go. Even if it killed me. Even if she was the only thing that had made me feel human in years. I had to let her go before I destroyed what was left of her.

Every chapter had mattered. But none of them had defined me alone. Pierce found me there as the sun began to set. “You came here for the ending,” he said. “No,” I replied. “For the truth.” “And what is it?” I looked out across the water. “That the empire was never the company.” He nodded slowly. “What was it then?” I turned toward him, smiling gently. “The empire was the woman who refused to disappear.” We walked back home under a sky painted with the last colors of sunset.

The city lights blurred. Elara pressed her palm to her belly. The life inside moved again, a tiny stubborn beat. She whispered, “I will keep you safe,” and did not know if promise was brave or foolish. A message flashed on her phone: CONFIRMATION: TRANSACTION COMPLETE—from Adrian’s office. She swallowed hard. The words felt like a lock. They drove through streets bright with other people’s lives. The car turned into a quieter road. Elara watched the city recede and thought of names—Victor Hale, board members with polite faces. She thought of how easy it was for men to turn rumor into law.

Enforcers lead their own crews, my warriors & muscle. The Shadows work separately. Surveillance. Infiltration. Intelligence. They report to me alone. Even the Omegas evolved — Quartermasters, Ciphers, Fixers. Logistics and information win wars just as surely as claws. “Alright, chaos,” I murmur under my breath, “Let’s see what you’re planning today,"

she whispered, voice low and silked with satisfaction, “when you move before your enemies know there’s a game.” Imani was many things. But foolish wasn’t one of them. She’d noticed the shift in Dr. Hakeem’s demeanor weeks ago—subtle at first: a longer pause before speaking, a tightening in his jaw, averted eyes when she mentioned Regan’s name. But the last time they’d met, the change had been undeniable. His guilt had begun to bubble to the surface, and with guilt came danger. Men like Hakeem—men with decency buried beneath duty—were the most unpredictable. They began noble, but when their peace was threatened, they folded. Or worse, they fought. And Imani had no patience for either.

“And the family you chose… Dio mio, Stefan, I never thought you would bring this kind of shame upon us.” Yes, I anticipated a scene, this was Nonna after all. I could only imagine what my mother’s reaction would be likely be. "You of all people should know I never act without purpose," I said, my voice sharp, restrained. "Every decision I make is calculated. You backed the elders when they gave me two options marry or step down. And God knows I won’t surrender the empire I built with my own blood and sweat over the last ten years. So yes, I chose to marry but on my own terms. She is my decision.”

“We were building something with that kid. He was our key. And he traded us for a king’s bed.” The older man smiled. “Let’s take everything back. Rip open the empire. Make them bleed from the inside out.” “What about the drive?” “He still has it. I’m sure of it. Dominic may have taken the pouch, but he didn’t get the drive. That boy kept it—probably out of fear, probably out of guilt.” “And now?” “Now, we use it.” The tall man stepped away from the table, grabbing a black envelope from a drawer. “Send him a gift. Let him remember who made him.”

There was silence in our living room as we sat thinking of what the morrow would bring. The time for the annual tribute had come. Every year, fifteen halfbreeds from the South, East and West were sent to the capital in the North. This was done to show loyalty to the King of the Alphas. Alpha King Alcius Thane. Unbeatable in strength and Wisdom, he was basically a god. A direct descendant of the moon goddess. A Lycan.

My eyes quickly read the writing in front of me, and my brows started to furrow at what I was seeing. ‘From the rapid increase in the number of the town’s soldiers along with the appearance of advanced weapons on the battlefield, I believe that the town of Amber Leaves has formed an alliance with the neighboring empire and are receiving their help in this war. Samples of advanced weapons collected by soldiers seems to be of the same type that is currently in used by the other empire. With these reasons, I am led to believe that the town of the Amber Leaves has betrayed our empire and this war if not dealt with swiftly can lead to a war between the two empires…’

He suddenly recognized the helpless orphan he had tortured so long ago. Devrim's eyes narrowed. "That is not my name. I am Emperor Devrim, husband to Her Majesty, Empress Aurora and foremost warrior in Valiant. I will defeat you." Ledford was shocked by the revelation. But it changed nothing. This man beneath him must die. The Captain pulled a knife from his belt and leaned back to finish off the Emperor. In a swift movement, Devrim pulled his knees to his chest and kicked Leford with all his might.