AsherI kept pacing to and fro in my room space, the scene of how I had responded to Akira, replaying in my head like a haunting ghost that wouldn't let me be.The fact that I had raised my voice at Akira for the first time ever made me miserable.Seconds stretched into minutes. Ten and then fifteen minutes had passed, yet I couldn't get myself to focus on anything else, apart from the words I said to my baby sister, Akira."Well, she deserved it," I argued with the thoughts that had gotten me busy.I wanted to convince myself that she deserved the way I had spoken to her and the words I had said to her, but then, there was this nudge at the depth of my heart that kept hitting on the walls of defence I had erected ag
Asher"Tell me, brother, was my maid the reason why you were treated the way you were? Is she the reason why Xenra rejected you?" Akira's words came again, her question piercing through the fog of confusion that had settled upon me, but more than that, it stirred something else within me—anger.I pulled my gaze from her as my lips twitched with a restrained anger, even as her words hit on my nerves."Answer me, brother!" Akira demanded with a sharp, shrill voice."Akira, enough!" I said in a matching intensity, even as I wanted to end every conversation about her annoying maid, which was the reason behind the misunderstanding between us."It's not enough, brother. All you did was transfer your aggression upon my innocent m
XenraIn the cold, dark dungeon of Asher's pack, I sat on the freezing, dusty floor. My legs were pulled up to my jaw, and my hands were tightly folded around them.Somewhere around me came the squeaky sound of rodents as they scuttled and scampered around. Just when I felt I was at death's door, it turned out that I wasn't totally alone.The lonely, deserted cell was tightly secured with iron bars, and as I sat there, I recalled the words of the guards who had sent me in."You better start saying your last prayers, because there is no room for escape for you." He advised, his words dripping with mockery, but if only they knew I had no single desire left in me for life, they would have left me alone in the open.Even if they had left me alone, I probably wouldn't have escaped, as I never stopped wondering if it was better I had died that night, the night Lenhandro had betrayed me.My tears had long stopped flowing; there was not even an iota of strength left in me, and with every pass
LeoRight in my chambers that evening, I couldn't stop wondering why Lena had excused herself earlier, shortly after we had just finished talking about Asher.Although I had earlier believed she didn't blow her cover, I just couldn't shake off the nudge at the depth of my heart that something was amiss."No, I need to make sure everything is still in order," I said to myself as I sprang up to my feet.Without a second thought, I marched towards Lena's room, and after the second knock, she asked me to come in."Hey Leo, what's up?" She asked, with a small smile on her face after she had opened the door."Nothing much, dear sister; you've been gone for some days. I just wanted to know how it all went with you and your MATE." I answered emphatically, after which I snorted in derision."So tell me, how was the visit?" I asked as I settled into her throne chair, spreading my legs beside each side of the backrest.Lena's lips at my words curled upwards into a small smirk, "Like I told you e
LeoAs if Lena could trace my thoughts, she placed her hand on my shoulder, "Easy, brother. Everything is in order." She said calmly.At her words, I snapped back to the present and realised my fists were tightly clenched. Right there, it dawned on me that I had given in to the hatred, deeply seated in my heart.My lips curled upwards, an attempt to assure her that I was fine, even though deep within me, I was seething with fury.After about ten seconds had passed, I recalled we were talking about Asher's real mate before I had lost it, and in that instant, something dropped in my heart."About Fredrick's daughter..." I began, causing Lena to turn towards me, "I'm sure you left no trail." I stated.My words made Lena's brows furrow as confusion etched on her face, "What do you mean?" She asked, her voice a total contrast to the expression on her face."I mean... Fredrick might notice sooner than later that she's missing, and he might trace it to you," I said, my calm voice belaying th
AsherFor the first time ever, I sat at the dining table alone. Akira had sent a maid to tell me she had no appetite for the meal.Never had it happened before. "None of this would have happened if not for that fat pig of a maid!" I muttered under my breath, still reeling from the news I had received from her maid.As I sat there alone, I couldn't even touch the meal. I had hoped we could put aside our differences during the meal.I was going to do everything I could to make sure we returned to the way we had always been, but Akira didn't show up.I paced back and forth across the dining space with my hands folded behind me. Deep within me, I couldn't stop cursing that sack of bones, who was responsible for the rift between me and my sister.After about fifteen seconds of brooding over my anger, I knew I had to do something. Five minutes passed, and I was lost in deep calculations, searching for a way forward. Suddenly, a thought popped up in my mind, and my eyes glinted at the sight
XenraWait! Did I just become Asher's maid? The last thing I wanted was to be close to him, especially not as his maid. I needed no one to tell me how he'd make my life miserable due to his hatred for me."No, I have to do something," I muttered under my breath."Excuse me, Alpha!" I called out to Asher, who was now standing with his hands resting on his waist.At my words he turned towards me, and for the first time ever I saw sadness in his eyes.'What is wrong with him?' I wondered within me. That wasn't my concern anyway; since I had called his attention, I had to press forward with what I wanted to say."It's not like I'm trying to question your authority, Alpha," I began as calmly as I could. "But I honestly think the people who are supposed to be closer to you are your male servant, not a female servant." I stated, keeping my tone low and levelled.At my words, Asher's brows creased into an obvious frown. His anger clearly evident, despite his stoic expression.I had expected
Xenra"Xenra! Xenra!" Zara's persistent call snapped me out of dreamland that day.My eyes screwed tighter as I struggled to snap off my grogginess."What?" I answered lazily; at the same time, I slowly opened my eyes to find out that the room was shining brightly.It was clear I had slept in. After a long day being confined in the dungeon and the drill I was forced to undergo with the male bodyguards the previous night, I felt like I hadn't had enough sleep."It's day already; we were so tired," Zara said. I turned towards her to find her dressed already and ready for a new day. "Go get ready, else you'll be late." Zara's voice came again, dripping with concern as she stared at me with furrowed brows.The worry etched on her face revealed the concern deeply seated in her heart for me.I wanted to say, 'Who cares?' I was tired of pushing on already. I really wanted to lay in my bed all day, but the thought of incurring Asher's wrath and giving him the slightest reason to make my li
AsherIn that instant, my gaze flew to the door, and just as I had suspected, the locks were intact.As I fixed my gaze back on Xenra, I saw her lips trembling as she tried to make coherent words. But the only thing she could say was "I-I-I."The fear written all over her face was unmistakable as she stuttered, which made me even more curious, and my brows furrowed.Seconds stretched on but she couldn't utter a word, at least nothing coherent that I could make sense of. She couldn't even meet my gaze.After about five seconds, she fixed her gaze on me. "I, um... The—the..." She said, but I swiftly interrupted her, even as I decided to go straight to what I wanted to know.At that moment, I didn't need anyone to tell me otherwise; she was strange, and I knew it; something was definitely off about her, and she had just proven it to me, again."Who are you?" I asked her as calmly as I could, "There's no need to lie to me." I said."From the first day, you healed me, I knew there was some
XenraI halted in my tracks as a great sense of hesitation settled within me. My mind was flooded with countless thoughts, and I began to ponder how to go about it.In that instant, it dawned on me that I was only too concerned about their safety that I didn't even think about how to go about it.As my thoughts stretched on, something crept into my heart, a diversion that made my brows furrow."Does it mean Asher likes me?" I muttered beneath my breath, but I didn't even allow the thoughts to settle in my heart before I shook it off."No, it can't be. It's not even possible," I said to myself, my voice heavy with conviction. "Maybe the moon goddess allowed it to happen because she wanted to save them." With that in mind, I quickly shoved off the thoughts as I decided to face the situation, but then I hesitated once more."What should I do? How do I go about this?" I whispered, my mind reeling with countless thoughts.I knew I couldn't just walk up to Asher and tell him his mate was p
XenraIn that instant, I sprang to my feet, and my mind spiralled with countless thoughts as I sought means to get out of the dungeon.My fists clenched with fierce determination, and I marched forward, my steps carrying me towards the entrance of the dungeon room.For the first time ever since I was thrown into the dungeon, I deliberately stared at the gate that held me enclosed, a strong iron gate that stood from floor to roof.As I stared at it, a thought dropped into my heart, but as I pondered on it, I realised it was risky."This wouldn't do!" I snapped out of it, knowing that breaking down the gate would attract the attention of the people in the other cell and the guards."It will complicate everything and make it even more difficult to save them," I said to myself, shaking the thought from my mind.I didn't need anyone to tell me that I'd have to pass through the guards at the various posts to get to Asher even if I successfully pulled down the gate.I knew even if I threw wh
XenraI tried to wrap my head around what was going on and why they had said such a thing like that, but nothing seemed to make sense to me.After about ten seconds of trying in vain, I snapped out of the thoughts that had kept me busy and decided to shove it aside."After all, it has nothing to do with me," I said, shrugging, and then I began to walk back to the spot of my meditation.As I settled in the spot and tried to continue with my training, their voices kept breaking into my thoughts, making it impossible for me to focus.As I snapped back to the present, I couldn't shake off the nudge that had settled deep in my heart, a great sense of uneasiness that kept taking my mind back to the people in the other cell, and I couldn't help but wonder what was really going on."If it was about Akira, why are they doing it secretly?" I asked myself, my brows furrowing as I drifted back into thought, wondering why they really had to hide in the darkness to do whatever they had to do.As my
XenraAfter a long session of meditation and cultivation that day, I stretched my limbs, my lips spreading into a smile as I felt a great sense of peace within me."The past week in the dungeon has been the best in my life," I said to myself and drew in a deep breath.As I slowly opened my eyes, I could feel a great sense of strength and renewed energy within me."No doubt, I'm back!" I said to myself, my lips curling into a determined smile as I felt the surging powers within me."I didn't need anyone to tell me they were back. "This dark dungeon has been a great help to me. Thanks to the calm and quietness."Aside from the fact that I could feel my vampire spirit within me, I could also feel the emergence of my wolf with great intensity.As a hybrid, I had never felt that part of me before, or maybe I had never really given myself to that side of me.But this dungeon has really helped me in aligning with that side of me, and not just that, but to also master the powers and ways to t
LenaAs I pondered what Royce had just told me, something dropped in my mind, snapping me off the thoughts that had kept me busy.My head whipped towards him, and in that instant, I asked, "Did you just say 'hidden dungeon?'" My voice was rushed and urgent."Is that nowhere that fat maid?" My brows slightly furrowed as I stared at him."Yes, my lady, that's where she is." Royce firmly replied. Hearing his response made me snort, and I began to slice the beef on my plate again.As I did so, I continued, "You can just tell the men to start experimenting with her by pouring some of the content in her body. After all, she's useless now to everyone." The words had barely left my lips when I continued savouring the beef again, even as I relished the satisfaction of what I had just said.A light chuckle broke out of Royce's lips instead as soon as he heard my words, the sound of which belied the hesitation in his heart."As long as I like the fact that we think alike, my lady, remember when
LenaWithout saying another word, Akira turned and walked away. In that instant, I turned towards Asher and said to him, "I'm really sorry if I said something wrong," My voice wrapped in feigned remorse. "I didn't mean to offend anyone."Only then did Asher pull his gaze away from Akira's retreating figure and fix it on me. "You should learn to keep your mouth shut," he said, his voice heavy, his words tumbling out in a rush."It's not every time that your opinion is needed." He added, his voice echoing the annoyance that was deeply settled in his heart.As soon as the words left his lips, he stood up and left. His steps were heavy with determination as they carried him back towards his room.In that instant, my lips spread into a broad smile, and I almost couldn't stop myself from chuckling in excitement.Deep within me, I was excited that they had both fallen for my plan.As soon as they disappeared out of my sight, I began humming my clan's song of victory again and picked up my t
LenaI could see the curiosity glinting in Asher and Akira's eyes as we waited patiently for Asher to read the letter.As soon as Asher opened the letter, a slight furrow creased his forehead, followed by a momentary silence, making me even more curious about what he had read."What does it say?" I asked, my words laced with urgency, but Akira didn't say a word as she waited patiently for Asher to read the content aloud.After about three more seconds, Asher began to read."This is a request to you, Alpha Asher, and to your sister, Lady Akira.Having been found as a single and most eligible lady in our time, I request a meeting between Lady Akira and my son Jefferson to discuss a marriage between our families.If it would please you, I request that Lady Akira pay us a visit to get acquainted with my son, Jefferson.Signed: Alpha Scott."As soon as Asher finished reading, he folded the letter calmly, his gaze fixed on what he was doing, but the expression on his face betrayed no emotio
AsherOne week later.Despite how hard I had tried to shove the thought of Xenra being locked up in the dungeon off my mind, I just couldn't successfully do that.For the past week, I had been persistently plagued by the thought of her, even though I couldn't understand why I was so concerned about her.The thought of her and her predicament kept lurking around me, haunting me like a ghost in the dark, making it almost impossible for me to concentrate on anything else.Even though I wanted to justify my actions since she was rude to me, I still felt my heart pierced.Even though I had only wanted to help her. I had gone to the prison to talk to her and see how I could help her, but she was so rude to me, making me look like a fool, making me wonder why I even wanted to help her in the first place, since she didn't need my help.I felt insulted as she threw my words to the ground like something worthless, and that was when I decided to teach her a lesson.I wanted her to show some remo