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Id	Vlad	Saved	Scrape Time	Status	Scrape Result	Title	Body	Cta Type	Link Url	Page Name	Page Profile Uri	Page Like Count	Enddate	Cta Text	Caption	Display Format	Link Description	Link Url	Creation Time	Page Profile Picture Url	Page Entity Type	Current Page Name	Startdate	Actions
2,746,280	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Made in South Carolina, U.S	✨What a perfect swimwear for you!✨ It will look stunning on any body type and any age. Not only is it elegant, this swimwear doubles your charm 💕.	LEARN_MORE	https://www.vyfos.com/collections/swimwear#a_p_337	Vyfos-Clothes	https://www.facebook.com/100088500146273/	7,953	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	vyfos.com	IMAGE	Free Shipping Over 79 USD \| Free Return Within 30 Days	https://www.vyfos.com/collections/swimwear#a_p_337586	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481252136_866543205537994_6261213024102963884_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8MXadeMtxE4Q7kNvgH1CJRX&_nc_oc=Adim4G6kSlBao3_gB7j9jp1RIUNhjLh7r67Fs6ullwCRXa2HTAWItr3jOCeIXXMQsDP5Qwrfi74TpIvVTVdPSBE7&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A22zFSpBgrwGvmsoX7bwgo7&oh=00_AYDT5ki3Qxw6gWQKhdrcNbha-G5kJwOETVRlOkadrzbmQw&oe=67CB8BF9	PERSON_PROFILE	Vyfos-Clothes	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,745,902	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2745880}'	No	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Apply now to claim		LEARN_MORE	https://publicdebtrelief.com/blog/us-loan/f/debt37	Information Worth Sharing	https://www.facebook.com/100067527021508/	6,893	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	publicdebtrelief.com	DCO	{{product.description}}	https://publicdebtrelief.com/blog/us-loan/f/debt37206/index.php?ad_id={{ad.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&campaign_name={{campaign.name}}&source={{site_source_name}}&placement={{placement}}&cpid=8f46694f-fcd2-4f99-8bdd-ad94d6c76faa&lpid=4aede943-625f-4545-94c3-c12d2396ba66	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481175679_1211762743853919_8958753994131493849_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=G0nYySSRmfYQ7kNvgFPcAjB&_nc_oc=Adiep-EM-wllx6nK3_IEXFj9liroAkIOHTF0pWVqmYw-K41YtwUEQoi0tmiFiQyBUX5iOu-9Vu_B-uhYsFXR7I-C&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A9mcL7i9CVkf0wZcG0GPsVf&oh=00_AYAb3lLoBQEJopn5MBljl_ql8un9ieq_GtlaLuJ-4o0RWQ&oe=67CBA9E8	PERSON_PROFILE	Information Worth Sharing	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,746,025	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Attention! Do not read in public！👉	Chapter-1. Broken “I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.” — W. B. Yeats ~~~ [Xanthea Plath] I limped into the graveyard, clutching my broken arm with the other hand. Blood mixed in the rain trailed down from my shoulder to my elbow, down my wrists, making its way to my fingers that clutched the small bouquet of forget-me-not flowers. Every flower of the bouquet was crushed and marred with blood-stains. The blue ribbon that once tied the flowers together was long lost. The white gown, soaked by the downpour, hugged my body as if it sought to suffocate me. Inked scarlet, its hem absorbed the black tint of the ground as it glissaded over the sharp blades of overgrown grass. Today was my mother’s twenty-third death anniversary and my twenty-third birthday. I forced another step on the muddy grounds of the graveyard with my sprained leg. A thick curtain of rain obscured my already blurry vision. Streaks of rain trailed down my cracked glasses that hung loosely on my nose. Panting and stifling my moans, I dragged myself closer and closer to my mother’s grave. Perhaps it was the tears in my eyes, or perhaps it was the rainwater tracing its way down my face. The only sensation that wasn’t a struggle was feeling the coldness of the rain being absorbed against my feverish skin. My ribs hurt with every breath. ‘No matter how much of a struggle it is to breathe, you never stop breathing. Because you know the struggles are only temporary. What’s permanent is life that death has not yet kissed.’ My mother’s words echoed in my head. I gritted my teeth, taking a deep breath even when it hurt. Tears stung into my eyes as I gulped down the trembling lump clogging my throat. I found my mother’s gravestone. Freya Plath And below her name carved on the white marble gravestone was the epitaph — “Forget me not.” I didn’t need much effort as I sank to my bruised knees and offered the blood-stained flowers to my mother’s memory. I bowed until my nose touched the ground and finally broke into tears. The flood of emotions that had sustained me through the harrowing journey finally snapped. I had never met my mother when she was alive, but now she lived through me. And through her diaries, she had come alive to me. My heart filled with an unfathomable warmth and the utmost respect when I thought of her. I knew her closer than any daughter would have ever known their mother. I knew her like a friend, like a secret keeper, like an equal. Through her words, I knew her heart and now it feels as though my heart had been replaced by hers, filled with her smiles and laughter that I never got to see or hear. Yet I felt them all so closely, it hurt. I fell in love with everything this woman was and everything she could have become only if the alpha’s eyes didn’t fall on her. My mother was an omega, just like me. It was a world of cruel hierarchy, where the alpha commands over all the dreams of everyone in the pack. Under his command, an omega wasn’t allowed to dream of anything greater than their rank granted. We dwelled at the bottom of the food chain. Our value was confined and limited to serving the ones who held the higher ranks. But my mother dared to dream. She dared to have wings to fly high and higher were her ambitions. So high it seemed impossible for an omega to achieve in this world of power, ranks, and politics. Her wings that I broke by coming to life. Because after that, my mother’s eyes were too lifeless to dream anymore. So I replaced my eyes with hers, transplanted her dreams into the sole reason for my existence. And now, if I am not her dreams, her words, her ideals, I don’t know who I am. They say you can’t miss a person you’ve never met, but I miss every second of my life as I imagine how my life would have been if she were still alive. Maybe my bones would have broken less, perhaps I would have lesser scars. Perhaps then I wouldn’t be so lonely. Perhaps I’d know what love felt like. But my mother died during the delivery and so the illegitimate daughter of Alpha Valdimir Virgo was born of an extra-marital affair. Obviously, everyone in the palace hated me. Maybe things would have been different if I inherited my father’s alpha genes. But I was grateful that I didn’t. I’d rather have a strong mind and a warm heart than brute strength and a cold ego. More than anyone else, I was an eyesore for Luna Meesa Virgo. She couldn’t tolerate the mere sight of me. She wanted to throw me out of the palace the moment I was born, but Alpha kept me in the palace until I turned eighteen and then he asked me to leave. I shifted into a small house that my mother owned, which itself was an exceptional feat for an omega, since most couldn’t afford it. They lived in either the servant quarters or in the shabby slums. I didn’t even know how badly those eighteen years of my life had broken me. But after beginning an independent life in my mother’s home, I started healing. My mother worked as a florist in the royal palace. She loved her job of cultivating flowers and medicinal plants. Her knowledge in herbology surpassed every book I’ve read so far. She wasn’t just cultivating, but creating new varieties, new species. She mentioned it all in her journals, diaries and books, the legacy she left behind for me. Alpha now had an heir to the throne, twenty-two-year-old Nikolai Virgo, the crown prince. And a legitimate daughter, nineteen years old Nathalia Virgo. Both of them were born with true alpha genes. I received monthly maintenance money from him, but I never used that money. Ever since I left the palace, I have worked to support myself and my studies. I didn’t want anything to do with the royal family or its people. I had been preparing for the International Medical Entrance Exams for years. After qualifying for that exam, I was planning to leave the pack for good. Or that’s what I thought. The entrance exams were tomorrow. “They knew, mom. Luna knew how important this exam was for me. That is why they did this to me…” I broke down into sobs. “How do I write the exams with a broken hand?” Chapter-2. Drifting fate [Xanthea] I left my apartment in the afternoon when the sun gently hid behind the mammatus clouds. I grew Forget-me-nots the whole year for my mother’s death anniversary. Picking some of the most vibrant flowers, I tied them in a blue ribbon. I put on the best formal decent gown I had and set off for the graveyard. I got down from the bus a stop before my actual stop because the roads ahead were out of bounds for the public. There was some inter-pack car drifting competition organised by Nikolai. I knew I had to hurry before the event began, so I decided to walk to the graveyard since it wasn’t too far. The road was the fastest way, but maybe I shouldn’t have taken the road. *** I had walked a few metres ahead on the road when I heard the roaring of engines and several cars zoomed past me at a speed that made them look like mere glowing lights flying by. One of those cars stopped at some distance and started driving in reverse. It was a brand new grey supra. Lowering my gaze, I increased my pace. “Want a lift, sis?” Nikolai put his elbow on the window, patting his car. He drove the car slowly, matching my pace. “You know, an omega shouldn’t be here at this hour. Alphas from all the packs will be here tonight. What if someone kidnaps you? Or does something worse?” A shrill laughter came from the passenger seat. “Come on, brother! They might just run their cars over her ugly face of hers. How could someone look at such an abomination and not want to crush it?” Nathalia sniggered, rolling the chewing gum across her mouth. “Now. Now. Lia. Don’t be so harsh, or she’ll start crying again. Like good old days,” Nikolai stopped the car. They exchanged some glances, and Nathalia and Nikolai stepped out of the car. Keeping my eyes low, I tensed up when they approached me. Clenching the forget-me-nots, I hid them in my gown’s fabric. “How rude of you? Ever since you left the palace, you didn’t even come to visit us once. How ungrateful can a bitch get?” Nathalia hit my shoulder, and I stumbled back. “Woah! Calm down. It’s been a while since we saw her. Go easy on her,” Nikolai’s gaze darkened as it ran over me. I dug my fingers into my flesh as I clenched my trembling fist. “Going on a date, sis?” I shuddered as his aura thickened. The threat behind his words held me in a chokehold. Restlessness built in my chest as I instantly shook my head. “Then where are you going with flowers in your hand and dressed so prettily? You might not be living with us anymore, but you are, unfortunately, linked with the royal family. And if you were to stain our reputation by acting like a slut then as you brother, it’d be my responsibility to put you in your place?” He growled, towering over me, and I cowered. I pressed my lips together, and I shook my head. “I-I was… going to visit my mother's grave. It’s her death anniversary t-today,” I stammered. There was a sudden shift in his darkening aura. “Oh! It is indeed your birthday today. Happy birthday, sis!” I flinched when Nikolai reached out to touch my shoulder. “Oh, come on. We’re family, sis. And until you were doing something that you shouldn’t be doing, I would never hurt you. Ok! As a birthday gift, let me give you a ride to the graveyard. These roads will turn scary soon. Cars will run wild here. I don’t want you to get hurt badly.” Nikolai turned to Nathalia. “Lia, you can join Karl in his car, right?” Nathalia gave me a nasty smirk and nodded. “Of course.” “Hop on, sis!” He opened the car door for me. “It’s our omega mother’s death anniversary. Let me correct my mistake and drop you safely to the graveyard. I know a shortcut. Come on! Get in! It’s a dangerous road ahead.” Nathalia scoffed with a menacing smirk crossing her face. “I’ll keep a watch from behind.” Another car stopped, and Nathalia got into it. Nothing they had ever done to me had ever led to anything good for me. I had been an eyesore, proof of Alpha’s infidelity. So, luna had always done everything she could to keep reminding me how illegitimate, unwanted and burdensome I truly was. She had taken every chance to hurt me in all the ways she could. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. And luna’s biggest weapons to inflict all that pain on me had been Nikolai and Nathalia. “Get in, sis. Trust me, I am truly concerned about you,” Nikolai yelled as several cars zoomed right across the road. “Father will be upset if you get hurt or some random car hits you. Ever since you left the palace, we rarely meet. Let’s catch up.” I should have run the other way, but several cars stopped by. Boys and girls took out their head out of the window, laughing and giggling. Nikolai seized my hand in a bruising grip, and I yelped slightly. “You don’t plan to embarrass me before those insects, do you?” He spoke through his gritted teeth. “Be my good doll like you’ve always been and get in while I am still being nice.” He hissed. Blinking back the mist in my eyes, I entered his car. The foreboding screamed at me to not enter his car, but he had left me no other option. “Put on the seat belt,” Nikolai said with a dark smirk cutting through his face. I fumbled with the seatbelt, but put it on. In a matter of a few seconds, I was tightly clutching on the seatbelt, trying my best not to crush the flowers. The car was racing at its extreme limit. I looked at Nikolai, who seemed to be enjoying himself handling the steering wheel deftly, making his car drift on the road. The car turned in circles with the rest of the cars and there were moments almost every second that I thought the car was going to crash into the others. Nikolai laughed. I shut my eyes tightly. “Sis! Open your eyes! I am going through all this trouble for you! Enjoy!” “Wooohooo~~~” Nathalia hooted, taking half her torso out of the car’s window that drifted into circles right behind Nikolai’s car. She shot fireworks into the sky and several other cars followed the suit. Soon, enormous flags of several packs fluttered in the car as their cars flew by. The rear wheels of almost all those cars were hidden in the fog created by the drifting tires on the road. “P-please slow down…” the words trembled out of my lips. “What? I couldn’t hear you, sis! Say that louder!” Nikolai mused as raced the car towards a steep curve. Covering my face with my hands, I shut my eyes tightly. He drifted the cars along the curve, and I was pressed against the seat. “Let me out!” I screamed, panting. “Please, let me out!” Nikolai gave me a hostile side look as he sped, tearing against the winds. “With pleasure, sis…” he smirked, unbuckling my seatbelt. The door opened on my side and before I could realise, he pushed me out of the speeding car. My right hand and left leg crashed against the road before I rolled and skidded on the black road. A sharp pain numbed my body before I completely blacked out for a few seconds from the impact. The road cut through my skin like a blade until the world finally stopped spinning. I laid on the road for I don’t know how long, but in the daze, I remember crawling towards the Forget-me-nots when Nathalia’s car zoomed inches away from my fingers, crushing the flowers. Her laughter thinned as her car, and Nikolai’s car drifted in circles all around me. Now and then, Nikolai’s car would zoom right past me and I would try to avoid coming under the tires by rolling over. “Please… stop…” I don’t know if my words left my lips or not. My body was shivering badly. “I am sorry. I am sorry…” “You should be sorry!” Nathalia spat. “Sorry for being born! You should have died with your mother, bitch!” “No Lia! Had she died, we wouldn’t have such a great toy to play with. Let’s play a little more. Let’s see how well my car’s brakes are. Stay where you are, sis! And pray the car doesn’t drift over you, ha-ha. I am going to do a small experiment! Everyone back off!” Nikolai roared, and all the cars circling around me emptied the road around me. Nikolai reversed his car until he was almost out of my sight. Crawling to the Forget-me-nots, I picked them up and then put on my cracked glasses. I had to get out of that place. The roar of the car’s engine haunted the road as the headlight flashed right into my eyes, blinding me. Nikolai accelerated the car right towards me. My hand clutching the flowers fell limply to my side. My heart gave a painful throb, and I knew what raced towards me was my death. The car came closer and closer and— Screech! Chapter-3. Important guests [Xanthea] The engine gave out a majestic roar as an unknown car drifted right between me and Nikolai’s car. An ugly screech of the tires against the asphalt, left behind bold tire marks on the road. Then the car raced right at Nikolai’s car. I gasped as my heart pounded horrifyingly at the sight. Two other cars zoomed in, flanking Nikolai’s car from the rear. The three cars trapping Nikolai’s car decelerated until all the four cars came to a stop. The rev of their engines rattled me to my bones. The loud thunder cracked in the dark cloudy sky, snapping me out of my paralysis. I scrambled to my shaking legs. Limping, I tried to get away from all of them as far away as I could get. Nathalia glared at me, but the crowd rushed towards the four cars. Using the other as a facade, I tore through the crowd. I hadn’t even covered halfway to the graveyard when it started pouring down. By the time I was in the graveyard, my body was struggling to breathe. The numbness made the pain stand out even more. The cold of the rain caressed the pain throbbing in every inch of my body. As if through the rain, my mother was telling me to pull myself together and keep moving forward. ‘It is in times like this the conviction of one’s dreams is tested and it is the turning point in one’s life. What you decide at that moment either makes you or breaks you.’ My mother’s words came to me and I don’t know how, but I pulled myself to the hospital. For the first time in my life, I used the money Alpha had been sending to get myself treated as best as the hospital could offer. The x-rays showed my ulna was broken and there was a hairline fracture in my wrist. It would take at least a week to heal with the best medication available. Alpha’s healed faster, but omegas had weaker healing abilities. There was no miracle I could perform to heal my hand, so while I stayed in the hospital that night, I practised bubbling the circles with my left hand. During the exams we gave our answers by bubbling the one of four option bubbles which we believe to be the correct answer to the question. After the night’s practice, I was able to bubble the circles. The next morning, I left the hospital and took a taxi back home with my plastered hand. The doctors said I should stay in bed for at least a week for proper healing. But I convinced them to prescribe me some best painkillers to get me through the day. I was working completely on painkillers. I just had to go through this day and the exam. After that, I could finally rest a little after four years of working tirelessly. The exams would start in the afternoon. I reached the centre an hour before. The organisers of the exams asked about my hand and all I told them was I met with an accident. It was a three-hour exam with all objective type questions. One out of the four options was right. One hour into the exams and I was struggling with my broken hand and left hand. Two hours and I was halfway through the questions. The effect of the painkiller was fading away. I solved questions through the pain. The organiser entered my room and strolled to me. She leaned in and whispered. “Please come with me outside,” she said. “Out? But I still have one hour—” “Please, just come out. You are not eligible to give this exam anymore.” I froze at her words. At that moment, it felt like my entire world had come crashing down. “W-what? But why? I filled everything—” “Please, just come out with me. Don’t disturb the other candidates.” I bit back my tears. “I will. Please, just let me complete this exam. This really means everything to me. Please?” “I am sorry, but we have direct orders from luna. His highness, the crown prince, is here to take you. We are extremely sorry, but there’s nothing we can do.” My heart dropped as soon as I heard Nikolai was there. “P-please…” I begged, gulping down the tightness building in my throat. “Just half an hour. I am begging you. Please…” My heart thundered in my chest as if it would break all my ribs. She gave me an apologetic look. “What’s taking so long?” Nikolai stormed into the room. Paralyzed, I widened my eyes. Tears welled up in my eyes and my mouth dried up. My stomach twisted and dropped with every step he took. He stopped near my table and winced at the question paper and answer sheet. He smirked as he leaned on the table and whispered, “were you preparing to run away from the pack again, sis? You found a legal way this time, didn’t you?” “Please. Please don’t take this away from me,” I gasped, as tears trailed down my frozen eyes. “Please. I’ll do everything you say, just let me… ah!” He grabbed my upper arm and, with brute strength, pulled me to my feet. “I am extremely sorry for disturbing you guys. As you can see, my sister is hurt and we are extremely worried about her wellbeing. That is why my mother asked me to get her back to the palace. My naïve sister doesn’t know what’s good for her and what’s not. I apologise for the disturbance she caused.” I struggled to free myself from him when he yanked me closer, whispering against my ear, “stop! Or I will break every bone in your body.” “Please. I am sorry. I promise I will do better.” Even though I knew it was useless, I tried to talk to him as he dragged me through the empty hallways of the college and threw me in his car. I pressed my hand against the glass as he slammed the door on my face. “Please, Nikolai! Please, just half an hour. Just give me half an hour. I promise I will come with you wherever you want.” I wasn’t begging; I was desperate. He got in the driver’s seat and I clutched his hand before he could start the car, “please Nikolai. Please, just once! I have never asked for anything. Just once, give me a little time. Let me complete my exams. Please.” I bowed in front of him. “Breaking your hand wasn’t enough. Should have broken your legs as well. Ugh! But mother said not to hurt you today!” He hit the steering wheel. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed my cheeks. “Don’t you understand, sis? You are not even allowed to breathe if we don’t approve of it. You thought you could give this exam without us noticing?” I yelped as he grabbed my hair. Pain throbbed through my head. “Don’t you remember your promise? You said you would be my obedient doll. What’s with this defiance? I am already fucking frustrated. Don’t get on my nerves anymore. I came all the way here to pick you. You don’t appreciate it even a bit, do you?” He left my hair with a jerk. I clenched my jaws, trying to remain as silent as I could. Pinning me against my seat, he put the seatbelt across my chest and hands. Nikolai started the car and drove it out of the college. I watched the college go farther and farther away from me and so did everything I was living for. “I am warning you, if you tell anything about this broken hand to father, I will make it worse!” “AHH!” I muffled my cry as he clenched my plastered hand. “Now, sit like a good girl and no more crying. Although I love the way you look when you cry, you need to look the best tonight. A family dinner and there will be very important guests. So mother wants me to make sure you are in your best behaviour.” Chapter-4. Offering [Xanthea] The maids gingerly removed the plaster from my hand and wrapped it in fresh elastic bandages. I sat in front of the ornate dressing table with shut eyes. I didn’t want to look at myself, not when Nikolai’s unsettling gaze scorched disgustingly over every inch of my body. I wore a thin, white undergown that concealed nothing. It clung to my body, revealing far more than I was comfortable with. A sick churn bubbled up in my stomach with apprehension when he approached the dressing table, ordering the maids to leave. I clenched the gown over my knees into my fists. He placed his hand on my shoulder, the searing warmth of his palm sinking into my bare skin. I tensed up, bringing my shoulders closer to my neck when he leaned closer to my ears. “Now, wouldn’t you look prettier with this piece of cloth off you, my pretty doll?” My fists trembled as he slipped the sleeve of the undergown down my shoulder. He took a sharp breath with a chuckle, distancing himself from me. “Look at you tremble, sis! What did you think I’d do? I am your half-brother. Come on! How disgusting can your thoughts get? I was just joking with you. Take these painkillers and be on your best behaviour, sis. I am not joking when I say these are important guests,” he said. His hand slid over my fist. “Take these painkillers. Trust me, I am only trying to help you. It might be a long night for you,” Nikolai forced open my fist and put the painkillers in my palm. “Here’s your water. I know you won’t be able to hold with your right hand. Let me help you drink.” I stared at the pills in my palms. Shutting my eyes, I swallowed them, allowing Nikolai to help me drink the water. “Good doll,” he said, running his thumb across my lips, wiping off the water. “If you were this obedient all the time, I wouldn’t have to go through all the trouble you force me through. The maids will now dress you up.” He left and the maids soon entered the room when I finally looked at myself in the mirror… The bridal veil ran down from my hair all the way to the floor across the gown. The one who looked back from the reflection was a pretty bride dressed in a lavish full sleeved, off-shoulder, revealing white wedding gown, just like a doll. I guess that’s what I was always supposed to be. A doll for someone to dress up. A doll who had no mind of her own, the one who had no luxury to dream or think for herself. I was always supposed to listen to others and have no opinion of my own. That’s what omegas have always been. I lowered my gaze. I didn’t even want to look at the one standing in the mirror. My stomach convoluted with foreboding and apprehension. Why was I dressed like a bride? What was going on? What exactly was going to happen to me? What did Nikolai mean when he said it would be a long night for me? The door opened, and someone entered. From the sound of heels striking the marble, I knew it was my stepmother, Luna Meesa Virgo. I held my gaze low as she took me in. “She looks perfect. Bring her when I call,” she talked to the maids and left. I had a powerful urge to ask her why I was wearing a wedding gown, but I knew it was better to let things unfold according to them than to question or fight them. I slumped back on the white and golden couch. My heart thumped louder with every ticking of the clock. Hours later, something happened that had never happened before. Alpha Valdimir entered my room, and I instantly sprang to my feet. It felt like blood had drained off my body as he stood near me. But at the same time, I was a little hopeful about something. I didn’t know what I hoped for from him, but it was all in vain. In the twenty-three years of my life, this was the third time I was standing face to face with him. He was never cold to me or hostile like Luna Meesa, Nathalia and Nikolai. But he was never warm either. He was my father, but we were complete strangers. I bowed, keeping my gaze low. He contemplated me for a while before he spoke. “You are… getting married to the…” he gritted his jaws then continued. “… to the triplet Alphas of the Infernal pack tonight,” he said in his usual calm voice and a hint of hesitation. My breaths had stalled in my chest as the meaning of his words sank in. “I thought it was… important that you know and understand… the situation. The Alpha King has chosen our pack this year to make the offering to the demon lords. I had no choice, Thea. Nathalia is too young. The fate of our pack is… now in your hands. As your father, I don’t want this to happen to you—” “Please leave,” my voice trembled as I turned away from him. Tears brimmed in my eyes. “Thea…” Pain knotted into my chest. Suffocation tightened into my throat as I forced those words from my lips. “An alpha is offering an omega from his pack to the demon lords to protect his pack and his people. There’s nothing more to this situation, your highness. You could have sent your servant to relay the message like you always did. It’s not like you ever considered me as your daughter. And if by any odd chance you feel guilty, then think yourself forgiven, for I never expected anything from you.” The bitterness mixed with fear and pain made me speak words that I never could have dared say to him otherwise. And I instantly regretting letting my inner thoughts come to life in front of him. I don’t think he was there to say a sorry. Maybe he was there to warn me or tell me to behave myself. He let out an exasperated sigh. “Is there anything I can do for you?” Tears trailed down my eyes. Words clogged my throat and all I could do was shake my head. “I am sorry, Thea. All of this happened so suddenly since yesterday, even I don’t understand how things led to this. It’s Alpha King’s order. So, I hope you understand the gravity of this situation.” Of course, I knew what it meant to be offered to the Triplets. I knew how serious the situation was. Now that I knew the reason for wearing the wedding gown, its fabric felt like molten silver on my skin. I was being offered to the Triplet alphas. There were three Pack Realms in this world — the Earthly Packs realm, the Celestial pack realm, and then the most dreaded pack ever, the Infernal pack realm. The Celestial pack was known as the purest pack and was ruled by the Moon Goddess herself. It consisted of immortal werewolves, descendants of the angel, dragon, or god races. The Earthly packs relied heavily on the blessings of the Celestial pack, which was believed to be a pack hidden in the sky. The Earthly packs realm consisted of the twelve werewolf packs inhabiting mortal werewolves. The Virgo pack, my pack, was one of the Earthly packs. Each pack was ruled by an alpha and the Alpha King ruled over all the twelve alphas. He was also known as the Alpha of the Alphas and he was responsible for maintaining peace with the Celestial pack and the Infernal pack. The Infernal pack was infamously known as the pack of the underworld or hell, and it was ruled by the triplet alphas or the demon lords. The Infernal pack was also inhabited by the immortal werewolves, but they were all descendants of the evil, the demons, the curses, the banished and the ones who turned rogue. No one knew why, but it started three years ago. Every year, the Alpha King chose an Earthly pack to make an offering to the Triplet alphas of the Infernal pack. From what everyone believed, offering the demon lords a bride of royal blood every year was the only way to maintain peace between the Earthly packs and the Infernal pack. No one knows what happens to the brides in the Infernal pack. But by the end of the one year time, all those brides from all the Earthly packs were found dead in the most gruesome way and hung outside the royal palaces of the packs they belonged to. The triplet alphas took over those fallen packs and ever since, their inhabitants live at their mercy. I gulped hard, trying to manage my breathlessness. But everything was turning dark in front of my eyes. I held my head. Nausea tore through my chest, cold fear rattling through my bones as I imagined myself meeting the same gruesome end. Until today, three brides have been offered to them and no bride had survived those ruthless alphas. All of them were alpha blood. I was an omega. I wouldn’t survive a day— “Thea!” Alpha held me before I slumped to the floor. A cry escaped my lips when he held my broken hand. I instantly withdrew my hand from him. He tensed his brows. “Thea, are you hurt?” I restlessly looked around the floor and shook my head. He seized my hand, making me wince. He made me sit on the couch while he sat beside me. He lifted the sleeve of my broken hand. His furrow deepened when he saw the bandages wrapped around my arms. “How did this happen?” He asked. Nikolai’s warning rang in my head and my mouth turned drier than it already was. “Alpha!” I heard Luna Meesa’s panic-stricken voice as she stormed into the room. Catching her breath, her wide eyes fell on my hand and then at Alpha. Rage flashed in her eyes as she glared at me. “Did you know she was hurt?” Alpha asked and Luna Meesa’s aura instantly shifted. “She’s hurt?” she strutted towards me. “I didn’t know. Why didn’t you tell me you were hurt when I asked you before?” “What happened, Thea?” Alpha turned to me. My breaths sped up; tears streamed down my eyes. Luna grabbed my shoulder. I supressed a wince. “Yes, sweety. What happened? Tell your father, how did you get hurt?” Her tone was sweet to ears who didn’t know the threat lurking behind that sweetness. Sniffling, I licked my dry lips and said. “I-I… fell… from the stairs.” “Oh my! That is why I didn’t like the idea of her shifting to Freya’s house. She’s all alone there and you know she never shares anything with us. She doesn’t even consider us a family. Or else she would have told me,” Luna Meesa said. There was a knock at the door and the royal doctor walked in. Luna Meesa glared at me and then at Alpha, looking as shocked as I was. Alpha got up from the couch as the doctor examined me thoroughly. He told father about my broken hand and sprained ankles. “Father…” Nikolai entered the room. “Is Alpha King here to take her?” Father asked, facing him. Before offering the bride to the Triplet Alphas, the Alpha King collected the brides himself and then took her to his kingdom from where she was sent to the Infernal pack. “No,” his stern voice hinted of fear. “They are here…” he panted anxiously. “The demon lords are here themselves.” Blood froze in my veins. Doctor and Alpha blocked Nikolai from my vision. But I wished he said he was joking even when I knew he wasn’t. “They sent a messenger. They’ll be here by midnight,” Nikolai said. “Call an immediate meeting in the court,” Alpha said and Nikolai hurried out of the room. Turning towards Luna, Alpha said. “Get Nathalia ready for the offering. Thea can’t marry the Triplets in this condition.” Chapter-5. The decision [Xanthea] Luna Meesa’s face lost all color. “What? Alpha…” He raised his hand, silencing her. “We don’t have time for arguments. It’s an order and I expect you to follow it.” With that, he left the room. Luna Meesa shot me an outraged gaze. She flounced in front of me and slapped me across my face. The stinging pain pulsed through my cheek like a thousand needles, overwhelming my senses. “Are you happy now?” She snarled at me. “You’ve finally destroyed my family! You and your filthy blooded mother!” I peered blankly at the floor. A mix of emotions crashed upon me, strangling my heart with their unforgiving claws. Her grip tightened on my broken arm as I stifled my cries into mere whimpers. For the first time in my life, I felt as if I deserved the pain. The royal doctor lowered his gaze. It was nothing new for him. After all, he was the one to heal me for eighteen years after every time they broke me. He never asked about my wounds. All he did was treat me, keeping his mouth shut just like today. She grabbed my cheeks with her other hand, her nails dug into my cheeks. My eyes stung with tears at the pain. I clenched my jaws to arrest the sob in my throat. “Useless and burdensome, as you always were…” “Mother!” Nathalia burst into the room, breaking into tears. “I don’t want to marry them! I don’t want to die! Mother, please do something!” I had expected Nathalia to unleash her anger on me, but she clung to Luna, sobbing bitterly. We shared the same fear in that moment and maybe that was what bound us. Nothing really matters when you can see your death right on your doorstep. Especially not when death was coming to marry you and take you away to the underworld as an offering. Another agonizing hour passed, with Nathalia’s sobs and cries echoing the fatal silence of the palace. She was in another room, but I could hear her painful cries all the way to my room. I didn’t know what the royal doctor had injected into my hand, but the pain had lessened. I gently cradled my broken hand, wanting to feel relief, but restlessness gnawed at my chest with every passing second. The air inside and around the palace was thick with a kind of fear that came with the threat of an impending tsunami. A fear of destruction with no escape. All we could do was let the tsunami pass and hope to still be alive once it had. I was left alone in the room, forgotten now that everyone’s attention was on Nathalia. The sound of the clock had become much more pronounced and so did the hurried footsteps in the corridors. I rose from the bed and paced near the dressing table, fidgeting with my fingers as restlessness grew wilder in my chest. I wanted to go back home to my mother, her diaries. Maybe then I would find some courage. My head snapped up as my room door creaked open. This is what I feared the most. He is going to be mad again! He'll hurt me again. With bated breath, I looked at Nikolai, who wore a deep frown when he entered the room. But his face turned impassive as he took me in. His eyes widened in a daze as his gaze traveled down my body to my wedding gown, lingering on each detail. My heart hammered against my ribs. “I didn’t tell Alpha about my arm. I promise. He… sort of… found out on his own. I didn’t tell him anything about you or the car thing…” I spoke in a breath, well aware of what was coming regardless of my words. He wasn't going to trust me. He stepped closer and I shut my eyes, my body trembling. He is going to hit me… But he stopped. I glanced at him, confused. His gaze flickered briefly to my breasts, with a sneer he gritted his teeth and stormed out of the room without a word. I took a quick gulp. What just happened? The voices in the corridors grew louder and more rushed. So did my heartbeats. I looked at the watch. It was ten minutes to midnight. I could no longer sit back in that room. I walked out of the room. Walking some distance in the corridor, I heard Nathalia whimpers. “Brother please. Do something. Please… they’ll kill me. You know them, they are devils,” Nathalia clutched Nikolai’s hand, pleading. She was dressed in a sparkly white wedding gown, adorned in the best of diamonds. Something she always flaunted, something that no longer held value. I lowered my gaze. At least there was someone she could plead with. I would have to bear it silently. A knot formed in my chest, tightening with Nathalia’s cry for help. “They are in the pack, you should… prepare yourself, Lia. Stop crying. You need to look… good for them,” Nikolai said, clenching his jaws. An unfamiliar powerlessness lingered in his eyes. Nathalia broke into silent sobs. She had been crying for hours now. Her eyes were red, her voice hoarse, but she kept pleading sometimes with Luna, sometimes with Nikolai. Both of them could only listen. “It’s all my mistake.” Nathalia slumped against the wall. “It’s karma. That is why this is happening. It’s all my fault. I broke her hand. It was my idea…” I widened my eyes, feeling a strangling pain throb in my chest at her words. “I am the one to blame. It’s all my fault…” she slumped against the doorframe. As the clock struck midnight, the main clock chimed loudly. Nathalia’s eyes widened, tears streaming down incessantly. “No, no.” She ran into her room, slamming the door behind her. A sudden gravity filled the palace as the air crackled with power and dominance. The demon lords, the triplets, had arrived. Nikolai banged on her door. “Lia! Open the door! Lia! Don’t do this! Shit!” He mumbled, punching the wall helplessly. For a moment, he remained calm, probably mindlinking with the Alpha. Then, with a forceful push, he opened the door and dragged Nathalia out. She was no longer screaming. Suppressed sobs were the only sound that escaped her lips. I watched it all hiding behind the wall. Nathalia’s teary gaze met mine before she was dragged away, and her face kept flashing in my eyes as if it might remain imprinted in my mind forever. I pressed my hands over my mouth, breaking into tears. Leaning my head against the wall, I slumped to the floor. Holding my aching head in my hands, I cried until I could no longer fight the weight of my own conscience. With the support of the wall, I got up. Lifting the hem of my wedding gown, I ran as fast as I could with my sprained ankles in the empty corridors of the palace. Everyone had gathered in the ballroom for the marriage ceremony. Even the maids were nowhere to be seen. I ran through the web of corridors, finally stopping when I reached the backdoor of the ballroom. That was the place from where the bride would enter the hall. I could feel the heavy aura lurk in the air. Panting, I hesitated for a moment before finally making up my mind. I saw Alpha waiting with sobbing Nathalia, hidden in the darkness. I didn’t dare glimpse whatever ceremony was going on in the ballroom. The ballroom had been hastily decorated for the marriage ceremony, yet it looked gothically beautiful. Dark clouds rumbled in the sky with thunder and lightning, adding to the frenzied ambiance. The crowd surrounding Nathalia parted to make way for me. Luna Meesa’s bleary gaze fell on me, but she didn’t react with hostility as usual. I stepped closer to them. Nikolai blocked my path to Alpha and Nathalia. “What are you doing here?” He spoke through gritted teeth. “Came here to enjoy our suffering?” I met his eyes, my voice unwavering. “Only you can find happiness in someone else’s suffering, not me.” Nikolai frowned; rage dimmed in his eyes with a glimpse of tears. Gulping down the lump in my throat, I passed by him and everyone else until I was face to face with Nathalia and Alpha. I looked into Alpha’s eyes. “I offer myself to the demon lords. Please let Nathalia go,” I said. The crowd seemed to gasp in unison. Nathalia stared at me in shock. “Now enters the bride with Alpha Valdimir,” a voice echoed from within the ballroom. Everyone stood frozen until Luna Meesa yanked Nathalia away from Alpha. “Thea… daughter…” Alpha looked at me, his eyes unreadably warm. Raising my hand over my head, I pulled down the veil over my face. Lifting my right hand as high as I could, I placed my hand over Alpha’s arm. Alpha didn’t say another word. I had nothing to lose, and my death would be no one’s loss. I never had a family. No one would cry at my death. I would no longer be the reason for someone’s pain. If I was lucky, I might meet my mother. Maybe then I could apologise properly for disappointing her. In the end, I couldn’t fulfil her dreams. The very day I had already lost everything that meant something to me. ‘You can live with regrets, but guilt… it kills you every day you live.’ Mother’s words flashed in my head. Nathalia stumbled to me, proffering the bouquet of Forget-me-nots in my hand with her trembling hands. She dropped her gaze when I looked at her through the veil as I took the bouquet from her hand. I shut my eyes and inhaled deeply as the lights fell on me. Alpha held my hand gently as we strutted down the aisle. The ballroom filled with decent claps. My gaze remained fixed on the red carpet beneath my feet. My steps faltered halfway to the altar. A dark stain crawled from the hem of my gown all the way up to the fabric on my chest and sleeves, turning the white wedding gown into a black gown. Even the veil over my face had turned black. A shudder ran down my spine as the Forget-me-nots in my hands turned into a bouquet of red spider lilies. I almost dropped the bouquet, my chest heaving faster. Steeling my heart and tightening my grip around the bouquet of spider lilies, I made my way to the altar. Alpha let go of my hand at the foot of the altar. Three figures stood on the altar. Chapter-6. Soul pact [Xanthea] Squalls gushed into the ballroom, announcing the arrival of a storm. I stood near the foot of the altar as they swirled around me. A quiet gasp escaped my lips when a swift wind fluttered my veil off my face. Entangling with the free strands of hair, the winds tucked them behind my ear. My breaths shivered when I realized it wasn’t the touch of the air that brushed past my cheeks. Goosebumps ran all over my body as another zephyr caressed my neck. I parted my lips, letting out a silent, shaking breath. ‘Sweet.’ A whisper kissed my ear. Pressing my lips together, I gulped hard. Seconds felt like an eternity as I lifted my eyelids. Maybe those seconds were enchanted, or maybe my existence had come to a halt. But something surreal lingered in the distance between us when my eyes locked with the three demon lords. I half-gasped and half-gaped at the three of them. My heart pounded faster and faster as the three of them gazed back at me with their dark and cold eyes, holding the mystery of the night. The power they emitted was so overwhelming it made my existence seem insignificant. They were dressed in shades of gray and black three-piece suits that hugged their well-built and tall frames in all the right places, highlighting their chiseled features that only enhanced their otherworldly sinful charms. Their sharp jawlines and palely handsome faces drew me into a blank space and their alluring eyes trapped me in an abyss. I could feel my fear amplifying with every heartbeat. Danger lurked in their eyes and it appeared they had already possessed my heart, my body, and my soul. There was no escaping them, but I wasn’t sure how long I would survive them. Or maybe there was no survival in this marriage at all. There was only surrendering. Surrendering my life, my fate and my destiny to them. As long as I surrendered to the three of them, I might survive. “Requesting the bride on the altar.” The voice of the man, dressed in a hooded black robe from head to toe, brought me out of the triplet’s bewitchment. Stalling my breaths, I gingerly walked up to the altar. It felt as if, even if I breathed the wrong way, they would break me apart. I didn’t dare look at any of them again. There was no priest on the altar, but a sorcerer. In fact, there was no one anywhere close to the altar. I glanced at Alpha, who peered at the triplets, then lowered his gaze when he looked at me. My breath hitched as a shudder ran through my body when one triplet held my chin. He lifted my chin, making me look into his eyes. Up close, his light gray eyes were even more predatory. And my heart ran wild, just like a prey. An unsettling dread ran down my spine, breathing in the same air as him. His gaze dropped to my parted lips. Sucking in a quick breath, I lowered my gaze, pursing my lips. He let go of my chin and stepped back, standing in the middle of the other two. I stood in front of them, clutching my hands near my belly even tighter. “We are here to witness the soul pact being formed between the Infernal Triplets and the Earthly princess of the Virgo pack, princess Xanthea Virgo,” the sorcerer said. “A wedding.” I knew a wedding with the demon lords would be anything but normal. But a pact? It wasn’t just my body they’d claim in this marriage. They’d imprison and imprint my soul with theirs. My nails dug into my skin as tears stung my eyes. Is this really how my life will end? A soul trapped for eternity in the shadows with no escape, no light, no salvation? “Alpha Raven Xipher step forth and create the first soul pact with your bride,” the sorcerer said. The Alpha standing left to the gray-eyed Alpha stepped closer to me until he stood right in front of me. His brown eyes contemplated me. He had long hair tied in a ponytail, his hair styled in a wolf cut. “Look into my eyes,” his deep voice cut through my chest. His words were impassive and colder were his scrutiny. The sorcerer walked close to us and lifted a double-ended dagger between us. I peered at the dagger that hung in the air, levitating between us. My mouth turned dry at the sight of the sharp blades. “Princess Xanthea Virgo and Alpha Raven Xipher, I will request you to stab your ring fingers at the ends of the pact dagger,” the sorcerer said. The handle in the middle of the pact dagger had a huge gem that looked as if glowing blood was constantly flowing in it. I stepped back, curling my fingers into fists. Raven held my gaze, and my body stiffened. My body wasn’t under my control. I involuntarily stepped closer to the pact dagger and stabbed my ring finger at one edge of the dagger while Raven stabbed his ring finger at the other end. The double-ended dagger sucked in our blood and the gem in the middle hilt glowed even more red. A sharp pain ran through my body as, for a few seconds, it felt like I was having a heart attack. I struggled to breathe. Holding back my tears, I clenched my chest. I glanced at Alpha Valdimir, pleading for help, but all he did was lower his gaze. Everyone in the ballroom stood with their heads low. My head snapped back towards Raven. It seemed as if invisible hands were controlling my body. I looked into his eyes as the sorcerer read. “Do you, Xanthea Virgo, entrust your body, blood and soul to Raven Xipher, your lord, your owner and your first husband?” I bit my lower lips, letting out a moanful sob. I wanted to run away and hide somewhere far away. A grave seemed like a safer place to belong than with the triplets. I wish I had an option to die. But I chose this destiny for myself. I had to take the responsibility. “I-I… do,” I said, through the pain. “Do you swear your eternal loyalty, obedience, and submission to him and his will?” the sorcerer asked. “I… do…” I said, breathing heavily as a feverish sensation ran up my spine. “Do you promise to accept the punishment if you breach the first two vows?” I knit my brows as tears trailed down my cheeks. “I… do!” My words came out as a moan. “And do you, Raven Xipher, tie your soul to hers?” “I do,” he said, stoically. I stumbled back as I got back the control over my body and I instantly withdrew my finger from the dagger’s pointed end. “Alpha Ezra Xipher step forth and create the second soul pact with your bride,” the sorcerer said. This time, the eyes that forcefully locked with mine were deep blue. He had short, frivolously styled hair. A mischievous glint flashed in his eyes when he saw my tears. My body was under Ezra’s control. I was losing control, even over my tears. I stabbed my ring finger again at one end of the dagger while Ezra stabbed his ring finger on the other end. “Do you, Xanthea Virgo, entrust your body, blood and soul to Ezra Xipher, your lord, your owner and your second husband?” the sorcerer said. I accepted the same vows with him as I had with Raven. “And do you, Ezra Xipher, tie your soul to hers?” “I do,” he said in an amused tone as he took me in. “Alpha Asher Xipher step forth and create the third soul pact with your bride,” the sorcerer said. Ezra stood back while the gray-eyed man with ruffled shoulder length hair. With him, my body was more under my control and he waited for me to stab my ring finger with the dagger’s end instead of forcing me to do it. “Do you, Xanthea Virgo, entrust your body, blood and soul to Asher Xipher, your lord, your owner and your third husband?” The pain during the vowing process was no less excruciating, but at least I was ready for that pain now. “I do…” my voice was weak. “And do you, Asher Xipher, tie your soul to hers?” “I do,” he said, holding my teary gaze. “I pronounce their souls pacted. In the words of the earthly realm, I pronounce them married!” The sorcerer said, and polite claps filled the ballroom. The double-edged dagger in the sorcerer’s hands turned and twisted itself until it took the form of a pointed thorny crown with glowing blood adorning it as gems. “Alphas, I request you to place this crown on your bride’s head and seal the pact for eternity,” the sorcerer said. The triplets held the crown and placed it on my head together. Its thorns and pointed ends pierced through my skin and hair. I could feel blood trail down my forehead, over my face. I shut my eyes, feeling my blood leave behind its fleeting warmth on the cold skin of my eyelids. The crown got heavier and heavier on my head. It felt like I would be buried right under its pressure. Every inch of my body was throbbing with pain like I had never felt before. It was worse than having a broken hand. My soul was tearing apart, and I could feel it in my veins. The ballroom spun before my eyes. My vision faltered and so did my struggle to fight the pain and stand strong when I was breaking from inside. My chest heaved faster. Before my failing body hit the ground, Raven grabbed my upper arms. Ezra held my shoulder while Asher’s firm arm wrapped around my waist as my back rested against his chest. “You can’t be weak, wife. You now have three husbands to please. Tonight’s the night we claim you. You can’t let a simple wedding tire you, for our nuptial night holds trials far more demanding.” Ezra whispered huskily, tucking my hair behind my ear. My heart pounded with its left over strength as I shook my head slightly. “Please…” I succumbed to the darkness before my words could find their voice.	LEARN_MORE	https://website.metronovel.com/share/middle_new/iz	Read till dawn	https://www.facebook.com/61567792898853/	64	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	website.metronovel.com	VIDEO		https://website.metronovel.com/share/middle_new/izlci22eo5ik1zvieh33pxt0?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481669112_1357519415294270_6182887243939953080_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JRO4O_eQ1rQQ7kNvgF-OlCr&_nc_oc=AdgA509oy-3y9L6dAFp8R_DXW6dQbIgp-Q_Z7NRny9HXTVe3a5UrxaVByv9GmHd_vd6uL3v_alh8atBPHETgG3LL&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AbDdNPepPh_daNmHzKmYl4u&oh=00_AYA6es1tWP6hZbYbARB39uY29AAd5FKd5EhsNk4QgueqmQ&oe=67CB99DC	PERSON_PROFILE	Read till dawn	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,746,042	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2746040}'	Yes	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758			INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=leet.	L23	https://www.facebook.com/61553306189579/	4	1969-12-31 18:00	Install now	play.google.com	VIDEO		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=leet.vidmatic.vidmatic	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/476297341_4071577166498475_7384422295398553168_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q7QQb2ys3ysQ7kNvgGYbJMr&_nc_oc=Adi8rQWeDyR1E_J-Noe_rUp_90I1pf_uEIHwsCfSN5hAs6MebLl3FjIjKBpCnMdMqH4kroOYiZ1Yw1fo3VX6UML0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ARm-7IQ3DkpXsWYYqF43gM9&oh=00_AYAU2RZQU6qsb2SHOMI9edxiPl_WWqPLNVFkV4nYBEJWdw&oe=67CB949C	PERSON_PROFILE	L23	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,745,597	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Read next chapter👉	Three years of passion without love. But after every night in bed, he took his first love to her checkups. She struck back--filed for divorce and hired a model who looked just like him... for wild, endless nights! ===== Chapter 1 Carry On With Whatever This Is A military jeep thundered down the bustling bar street, its presence like a storm on the horizon. The jeep, adorned with a high-ranking officer's insignia and a distinctive license plate, commanded the attention of all it passed. It came to a jarring halt in front of the neon-lit Serendipity bar, its brakes screeching a piercing challenge to the surrounding nightlife. The door of the jeep opened and then slammed shut with a force that reverberated through the silent evening, mimicking the sharp report of a gunshot. A man emerged, his camouflage uniform blending oddly with the urban setting. His stern expression and the firm set of his jaw added to his daunting presence as he stepped into the colorful chaos of the bar. Inside, the neon lights cast an otherworldly glow on his face, the shadows playing across his features as he moved with a purposeful stride. The bar was alive with the vibrant beats of electrifying music and the murmur of drunken chatter--yet he seemed to carry a chilling silence around him, isolating him from the revelry. At the bar counter, Ryland Flynn was engrossed in a flirtatious conversation with the bargirl. He looked up as the military man entered, the haze of alcohol clearing swiftly from his eyes. The imposing figure made a beeline for the elevator, and Ryland, sensing urgency, scrambled off his stool to intercept him. "Mr. Mitchell... What brings you here to Serendipity tonight?" Ryland's voice faltered under the icy gaze of the man. The man's eyes narrowed, his voice resonant and commanding as he demanded, "Where's Renee?" "I... I believe she's at her home tonight," Ryland stammered, struggling to maintain his composure under the piercing scrutiny. Without hesitation, the man pressed the elevator button for the top floor, his action sharp and decisive. "You have 30 seconds to alert her," he stated curtly. Ryland's heart raced as panic gripped him. He knew that fabricating a story was pointless now. With trembling hands, he pulled out his phone and dialed Renee Carter's number right in front of the imposing figure looming over him. The phone buzzed unanswered after three persistent rings, prompting Ryland to switch to WhatsApp in a frantic rush. Opting for a voice message, he pressed the microphone icon and whispered urgently, "Renee, your husband is here to see you; he's on his way up in the elevator." His attempt to keep his voice hushed failed miserably; the words echoed clearly in the tight space of the elevator. An icy chuckle emanated from behind Ryland, sending shivers down his spine as the elevator dinged open. Sweat started to bead on his forehead, each drop a testament to his growing dread. The man stepped out with a determined stride, heading straight for the VIP room. Ryland, caught in a web of fear, trailed meekly behind, his steps hesitant and his mind racing for solutions. Stopping abruptly at the door, the man turned slightly. Ryland, mustering a sliver of courage, spoke up with a shaky voice. "Mr. Mitchell, I assure you, she isn't here." "Last chance--open up, or I'll kick this door in myself." "Please, believe me. She..." Ryland tried again, his voice faltering. "Three," the man stated evenly, his tone leaving no room for argument as the countdown commenced. "Fine," Ryland murmured, his voice a strained whisper as he fumbled with the room key, a sigh escaping him. His hands trembled slightly--caught in a bind, he dared not cross a member of the formidable Mitchell family. As the door creaked open, the man's eyes narrowed, his expression hardened into the stern, unyielding mask of a seasoned military veteran. Ryland stole a brief glance inside and sharply inhaled, quickly diverting his gaze to safeguard his own wellbeing, positioning himself squarely in the doorway, observing from a cautious distance. Inside, Renee reclined languidly on the sofa, her figure draped in a vibrant red slip dress that made a bold statement, flanked by two young male escorts. Their bare torsos were adorned with the unmistakable traces of passion, scratches carved into their skin like echoes of their heated encounters. The abrupt noise of the door's movement caused the escorts to stiffen, their muscles tensing as they beheld the daunting figure looming at the entrance. In sharp contrast, Renee exuded an air of nonchalant ease. Slowly opening her eyes, her lips curled into a taunting smirk upon sighting the man. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she regarded him through half-lidded eyes, her smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Relax, boys, it's not a police raid," she teased, her voice dripping with disdain. "Allow me to introduce him--this is my husband, the esteemed William Mitchell of the Mitchell family. You've surely heard of him, haven't you?" As she spoke, her gaze flitted over to William, observing his stoic visage with a provocative sneer. "Mr. Mitchell, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit tonight? Aren't you supposed to be getting busy with your childhood sweetheart instead of wasting time here with us?" William approached with deliberate steps, the chill of the night air clinging to his camouflage jacket, mirroring the icy reserve on his face. He seated himself on the sofa across from her, crossing his legs with a deliberate nonchalance. Smirking insincerely, he waved a hand. "Don't mind me--carry on with whatever this is." Chapter 2 Disappointment Isn't An Option Here The two escorts were already visibly tense, their anxiety written all over their faces, and the mere mention of William's name sent shivers down their spines. Renee, her head bowed slightly, felt a surge of anger well up within her. Yet, she masked it expertly behind a veil of serenity and commanded, "You heard him, didn't you? Now that Mr. Mitchell is in the mood, you'd better be at your best--disappointment isn't an option here." She then raised her head, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous spark, and flashed a coquettish wink at William. "Mr. Mitchell, consider this an invaluable lesson. You treat the bed like a battlefield--my two companions, on the other hand, know how to make a woman feel cherished. After all, we aren't your foot soldiers. While I might endure your roughness, think of your beloved. She's far too delicate for such treatment, don't you think?" William responded with nothing more than a frigid glance. Reclining against the back of the sofa, he struck a match with a sharp flick, lighting his cigarette. A veil of smoke soon enveloped him, masking his inscrutable expression. Renee's irritation spiked at his detached demeanor; he looked almost wounded, though she couldn't fathom what could possibly dent his icy exterior. Impatiently, she snapped at the escorts, "Well? What are you waiting for? At Mr. Mitchell's request, show him what you've got--who knows, he might actually pick up a thing or two." With a defiant flair, Renee tugged at the straps of her slip dress, letting them slip down her shoulders. The men jolted with surprise, their eyes darting involuntarily towards William, whose gaze was icy and unforgiving. Instinctively, they squeezed their eyes shut. "Uh, Ms. Carter... maybe it's best if we go." As they stooped to gather their scattered clothing from the floor, Renee fixed them with a frosty stare that rooted them in place. "I've told you already. Disappointment isn't an option here," she stated, her voice sharp as the winter air. Her attention turned back to William just in time to catch a camouflage jacket sailing through the air, draping over her with precision, obscuring her view. Before she could shrug off the jacket, she was abruptly swept up by two robust hands. "William! What on earth are you doing?!" she exclaimed, her voice muffled under the fabric. Blind to his expression, she could only sense the intense, ominous aura radiating from him. Effortlessly, he slung her over his shoulder, a half-smoked cigarette dangling from his fingertips. In a swift motion, he extinguished the cigarette on the back of one of the men, eliciting a sharp yelp. Simultaneously, his boot connected with the other man's knee, causing a stifled groan of agony to fill the room. Ryland, who had been nervously lingering by the door, stepped forward in alarm. "Mr. Mitchell, please, let's resolve this peacefully," he pleaded, his voice quivering. "Get out of my way!" William's command was a low rumble, more animal than human, that sent Ryland stumbling back in fear. Helplessly, he watched as William maneuvered Renee into the back of the jeep, her protests fading into the night. The engine roared as the vehicle surged forward, a reflection of the driver's burning temper. As Renee collapsed onto the plush, crimson bedspread, the effects of the evening's alcohol started to fade. Her eyes fluttered open, fixing on the ornate bed in the master bedroom--an emblem of union they had never truly shared since their marriage. The irony stung, blending seamlessly with her sorrow. Their three-year union was not a sexless one. The rare times William came home from his military duties, their encounters, though heated and passionate, were just fleeting moments of intimacy. Yet, their living arrangements spoke volumes--they maintained separate rooms, with this room remaining untouched by either. But tonight, William's demeanor was unhinged, as he dragged her into this "sacred" space and threw her onto the bed without hesitation. "William, what the hell are you thinking?" Renee gasped, her voice a mix of bewilderment and fear. She barely managed to prop herself up when he loomed over her, his gaze wild and red-rimmed. "Get ready, because I'm gonna fuck you until you're begging for more," he declared, his words seething through clenched teeth as he ruthlessly ripped her dress strap by strap. "So, Renee, you were saying I was too rough, is that it?" he huffed, his breath hot against her ear, his teeth lightly grazing her earlobe in a chilling caress. "I'm gonna fuck you nice and easy tonight--make you feel every damn second of it." Trapped beneath his weight, Renee writhed futilely, her struggles inadvertently drawing them even closer. As he tenderly grazed her earlobe with a punitive lick, his voice cut through the air, icy and stark. "Remember, you're a married woman." Just then, the shrill ring of his phone pierced the tense air. Although he wanted to dismiss it, the insistent buzzing from his pocket--just as he was about to undress--compelled him to reach for his phone with visible impatience. Recognizing the caller ID, his expression softened slightly. With a wry, self-deprecating smirk, Renee peeked at his phone screen. Unsurprisingly, it was his childhood sweetheart calling. Her voice dripped with irony as she retorted, "Seems you've forgotten you're a married man." His eyes flickered to her, but before he could gauge her next move, Renee snatched his phone and answered the call with deliberate calm. "Hello, Sylvia," she called out evenly. There was a brief pause as Sylvia Payne processed the unexpected voice. "Renee... hi," she stammered, her words stumbling over the shock. Upon catching William's resigned look, Renee's smile twisted into a sly grin. "Yeah, it's me. Sorry, but William and I are a little busy right now. You know how horny couples get after some time apart--it's like a damn craving that needs to be satisfied. He's got his mouth all over me, so I doubt he'll be able to answer his phone anytime soon." Chapter 3 A Fucking Liar Renee's words might have struck a nerve or instilled fear in Sylvia, who fell silent, stewing in her thoughts for a lengthy pause. Just as Renee braced herself for another onslaught of bold accusations, William intervened, snatching the phone from her hand. His kiss, fierce and claiming, then stole her breath away. William wasn't one to make empty promises--he showed her exactly what gentleness could be. After what felt like an eternity of torment, Renee broke down in tears, pleading for mercy--only then did he finally relent. Drained from the ordeal, she succumbed to sleep almost instantly. Throughout the night, she drifted in a half-conscious daze, vaguely aware of William leaving the bed. By the time morning crept in, Renee awoke alone. She lay there on the vast bed that held both fresh and lingering memories, her mind adrift in contemplation. She turned towards the curtains, tightly drawn, blurring the lines between late morning rays and the onset of dusk. A wave of weariness washed over her as she reached for her phone, her body still aching from the previous night's passions. That was when she saw it--a post from Sylvia on Instagram, unmistakably capturing William from behind, engrossed in cooking. The realization hit with the sharpness of a knife. In a fit of rage, Renee hurled her phone against the wall. Despite the force, the device miraculously survived the impact. "That fucking liar! That cheating piece of shit!" she snarled, fists clenched in anger. Lifting the blanket, she tried to stand, but the lingering soreness made every movement a struggle. That scumbag had really done a number on her. Yet, he felt no pain at all--if anything, he was in high spirits as he happily went to cook for his lover. Her anger simmered, fueled by each throbbing ache and the betrayal freshly unveiled. Sylvia's post was a glaring provocation. At that moment, a hesitant knock rapped at the door, followed by the maid's timid voice filtering through. "Mrs. Mitchell, are you up? Mr. Mitchell had me prepare something to help with your hangover." Renee seethed with annoyance. Now that he was out cavorting with his mistress, why even bother sending the maid? She inhaled sharply, trying to quell the rising storm within her. "I'm much better now, thank you. No need for that," Renee called out, her voice strained. Yet, the maid lingered at the doorway, her tone soft and persistent. "Mrs. Mitchell, Mr. Mitchell also specifically prepared a pill for you. Would you like to come out and take it?" Confused and a bit curious, Renee cracked open the door and peered out. "What pill?" she asked, her brow furrowed in suspicion. "You know, for after last night..." The maid trailed off delicately. That was the last straw. Renee's control snapped like a rope stretched too tight for too long. She was teetering dangerously on the edge of an outburst. Over the past three years of their marriage, Renee had diligently taken a contraceptive pill after each of their intimate encounters. The thought of starting a family hadn't yet appealed to her; she wasn't ready to embrace motherhood. The routine was simple when she managed it herself, but it felt different, almost intrusive, when William had the pills delivered to her. "I'm not taking it!" Renee declared defiantly, her voice thick with resolve. "Tell that scumbag that if I get pregnant, I'll have the baby! Let's see how he deals with that!" Her words echoed sharply as she slammed the door with a resounding thud, the sound reverberating off the walls. The moment the maid stepped out, she started digging through the room for the pills she bought before, her remark earlier nothing more than a bitter jab. Exhausted, she collapsed onto the plush bed, her body twisting and turning as she tried to find comfort in the soft linens. As sleep tugged at her consciousness, her mind seethed with curses aimed at William. She pondered his unexpected return from military service. Could his sudden appearance be tied to some trouble involving Sylvia? Indeed, Renee's suspicions weren't unfounded. William's return had everything to do with Sylvia. The moment he was discharged, he'd tried reaching out to Renee, only to be met with silence. His inquiries led him to discover her recent escapades, including the escorts she'd taken to keeping company. In a mix of rage and desperation, he had stormed the bar where she frequented, dragged her away, and then rushed to attend to Sylvia. Meanwhile, at the hospital, Sylvia sat uncomfortably as the doctor concluded his examination. "Ma'am, aside from some mild anemia, you're perfectly fine. By the way, is this gentleman your husband?" The question caught Sylvia off guard, a flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. Leaning slightly forward, William questioned, "Doctor, should she be taking any extra precautions? Does she need to avoid any specific foods?" He neither confirmed nor denied, preserving Sylvia's dignity. "Just avoid seafood, particularly crabs. Beyond that, she's free to enjoy whatever she likes. Be grateful she's not constantly battling nausea. She's dealing with morning sickness--consider yourself lucky she can still eat without throwing up." "Got it. Thanks for your help, doctor." William's response was polite, tinged with a sense of relief. William stole a glance at Sylvia after leaving the doctor's office. She was cradling her belly gently, her expression radiant with the glowing joy unique to a first-time mother. He sighed, a whisper barely audible escaping his lips. "Sylvia." "William, I think... I can feel the baby's heartbeat." Sylvia's voice trembled with wonder, her eyes gleaming as they met his. He paused, the weight of his next words pressing down on him. "Sylvia, you should consider terminating the pregnancy." "No!" Her voice cracked, a visceral refusal. Tears instantly welled in her eyes as she implored him, "William, I want this baby. Please, let me keep it. Don't force me to give it up. I can raise this child by myself if I have to..." "And you think you can make this decision to keep the child without my agreement?" The cold, sharp voice of Renee sliced through their conversation. Both Sylvia and William turned to see her at the corner of the corridor, arms folded, her presence like a specter at a feast. Her stance and piercing gaze left no doubt about her stance--she was, after all, William's lawful wife, and her words carried the weight of her position. Chapter 4 Confrontation The moment Sylvia laid eyes on Renee, her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively darted behind William, like a child seeking shelter from a nightmare. William's expression hardened into a frown as he faced Renee, his voice tinged with disbelief. "What are you doing here?" Renee's shoulders lifted in a casual shrug, her voice dry. "It's a hospital, William. What do you think?" As William's frown carved deeper lines into his forehead, he surveyed Renee from head to toe, searching for any telltale signs of illness but finding none. Taking a bold step forward, Renee's gaze locked onto Sylvia with unsettling intensity. "I heard my husband escorted another woman for a prenatal check-up early this morning. Naturally, as his legal wife, I felt compelled to see for myself." Her eyes, sharp and gleaming, bore into Sylvia's. "Miss Payne, let me be clear--as long as I draw breath, your child will never be acknowledged. Unless..." Her eyes then flicked to William, and she paused, letting the silence stretch before continuing with deliberate calm, "Unless William dares to divorce me. Why don't you ask him if he has the courage to do so?" Would William actually muster the courage to divorce her? Obviously not--otherwise, he wouldn't have made it through three years of this. When Renee was just 20, she declared to her family that she intended to marry William. Even her grandfather, Johnny Carter, who had doted on her since childhood, refused her for the first time. Johnny, a once-formidable retired commander, loomed large in his world, much like Renee's father, who, though steering clear of politics, had carved a significant niche in the business realm. Across the social spectrum, William's father, Eric Mitchell, wielded considerable influence as a high-ranking official in the political echelons. His current stature meant that allying with the Carter family could catapult him to even greater heights. The union between Renee and William was crafted as an unbreakable alliance, a powerful merger with no exits. Once vows were exchanged, the idea of parting ways was off the table. A divorce would not only fracture their personal lives but would also force their influential families into a messy, public tug-of-war, risking a feud that could echo through their elite circles. With Eric poised on the brink of a crucial promotion, he was adamant: divorce between his son and daughter-in-law was simply not an option. During the earlier days of their marriage, Renee had poured her heart into nurturing the union, but her efforts soon revealed themselves to be fruitless endeavors. Despite chasing William's affection for five years before she managed to marry him, his feelings remained elusive; not even the legal bond of marriage could spark affection in him. Faced with this reality, Renee suggested a pragmatic solution that they would continue to project the image of a devoted couple publicly and during familial gatherings, while privately, they would lead separate lives, each cloaked in their own solitude. With William being in the army for most of it, there wasn't much pretending needed anyway. Yet, one thing still baffled Renee--whenever William returned from the army, he would spend endless nights in bed with her, refusing to stop until she gave in. It was simply strange--he had ensured Sylvia lived close to his base in Stotta, so why did he still look like he hadn't touch any woman in forever? Renee guessed it was due to Sylvia's frail condition--William probably didn't want to strain her too much. What a fucking bastard! He pampered his lover like a queen while treating Renee like absolute shit. The sight of Sylvia tucked behind William sent a sharp, unexpected pang through Renee's chest. "What's wrong with you?" William's question sliced through the tension, but Renee's mocking laugh dismissed it, her disdain palpable. "William, I'm getting rid of Sylvia's baby right now. Are you going to try and stop me?" Her challenge hung heavy in the air, her words sharp as shards of glass. Their recent quarrel had left a chilly void between them. William had slipped away at dawn, his departure marked by a stinging silence. And then, the call from Ryland had come, twisting the knife deeper--William had escorted Sylvia to the obstetrics department for a prenatal checkup. The scandal, simmering just beneath the surface, threatened to boil over, exposing Renee to ridicule. "No! William, please, not my baby..." Sylvia's voice quavered, her fingers clutching William's sleeve as if it were her last lifeline. Her eyes, wide and pleading, searched his face for any sign of reassurance. But William remained eerily silent, his gaze unyieldingly locked on Renee's cold eyes. "William..." Sylvia's voice broke, terror lacing her whisper. She gripped his arm tighter, her plea more desperate. "I can't let go of this baby, William. Please, I need your help." "shut up!" The sharpness in Renee's voice cut through the tense air. In a swift, harsh motion, she raised her hand and delivered a stinging slap across Sylvia's face. The sound echoed, a chilling smack that left a vivid red imprint on Sylvia's pale cheek. "You don't have a say here, Sylvia," Renee hissed, her voice dripping with disdain. From the other end of the corridor, another voice challenged the oppressive silence, its tone imbued with an undeniable authority. "Is that so? And do I have a voice in this matter?" All eyes turned toward the newcomer. Her presence was commanding, her attire simple yet exuding an elegance that spoke of bespoke tailoring--clearly, she was a woman of significant stature. "Mom?" Chapter 5 As You Wish "Mrs. Mitchell..." Upon spotting William's mother, Esme Mitchell, Sylvia's eyes lit up with a flicker of desperate hope. She darted forward, throwing her arms around Esme in a tight embrace. Tears cascaded down her cheeks, painting her as a tragic heroine consumed by sorrow--an image that could melt even the coldest heart. It was no surprise that even William, with his usual stoic demeanor, found his resolve weakening under Sylvia's poignant display. Renee, observing from a distance, knew she lacked the flair for such dramatic expressions. "No need to worry, Sylvia. I'll protect you," Esme assured the younger woman, her tone warm and steady. "Mom, please, let's not escalate this," William interjected, his expression tense with concern. Around Esme, he often felt like he had no control. "William, if I hadn't shown up, would you have just stood by after Renee's outburst? I know I might have turned a blind eye before, but now, with Sylvia carrying your child--a new member of the Mitchell family on the way--can you really afford to let Renee act unchecked?" Esme's tone was both accusing and protective. At the mention of the baby being another Mitchell, Sylvia's eyes dropped, her joy of coming motherhood shadowed by the weight of those words. William shot a brief, complicated look at Sylvia, his face unreadable. "I can handle this, Mom," he stated flatly, his voice laced with frustration. "And how exactly would you handle it? By watching as Renee lashes out at Sylvia and doing nothing?" Esme countered sharply, her frustration mirroring her son's but for different reasons. Renee stood her ground, her voice a mixture of irony and resolve as she addressed Esme. "I'm your daughter-in-law, William's one and only legal wife. No matter how influential your family is, you wouldn't dare commit bigamy, would you?" Esme bristled, her response sharp and clipped. "Enough of your bullshit!" "Bullshit? Is that what you call them?" Renee shot back, her tone rising slightly with indignation. "It was indeed I who pursued William initially, but over the years, both I and my family have shouldered immense burdens to prop up your family's stature. And now, you wish to replace me with Sylvia? Did you even bother to consult the other members of the Mitchell family about your plans?" As she turned her gaze towards Sylvia, Renee's eyes flashed with contempt. "To even mention Sylvia in the same breath as me is laughable." "Renee, that's enough," William interjected, his voice icy and stern. Esme, emboldened by William's admonition, pressed on, her tone dripping with disdain. "William, did you hear her? This is not how a sophisticated heiress should behave. She lacks the basic decorum expected of her status. I've always said it--Renee is too stubborn and impulsive for our family. You should never have married her. Remember how I opposed it from the start?" But Renee wasn't fazed. Instead, she laughed heartily, a sound rich with scorn and amusement. "Indeed, a home-wrecker must be so sophisticated and possess impeccable manners," she said sarcastically. Deep down, Renee knew she was the one who had come between William and Sylvia. Originally, Sylvia's family had fallen into dire straits, and the Mitchell family, due to their precarious position, could not offer direct help. It was then that William had turned to Renee, who had been ardently pursuing him for five years. For the past five years, William had all but ignored Renee, treating her affection as if it were invisible. Renee, ever the hopeful pursuer, tirelessly chased after his fleeting attention. Ironically, the first time he sought her out wasn't for romance--it was to plead on behalf of Sylvia. Renee's disdain for Sylvia stretched back to their childhood days, a bitter rivalry that festered over the years. Thus, when William asked for her help for Sylvia, Renee seized the opportunity to turn the tables. She threw the notion of marriage at him like a challenge, expecting him to waver. But to her shock, he consented immediately, his compliance cutting her deeply. It was a stark, painful reminder of Sylvia's significance to him. Sylvia, the perpetual thorn in Renee's side, had been a constant source of agony since she became William's wife. Lost in these brooding thoughts, Renee was then jolted back to reality by a sharp slap. Her head whipped around, eyes blazing with fury, to find Esme standing there, her expression unyielding. "This slap is for Sylvia," Esme declared firmly. "Renee, don't think you can torment her just because she's an orphan and vulnerable." "Mom! Why the hell did you do that?" William interjected, stepping in front of Renee protectively. But Renee wasn't grateful for his defense. Instead, she scoffed, her laughter tinged with bitterness, "Oh, so I'm the bad guy now? Fine. Let it be as you wish." In a swift, fluid motion, Renee charged forward, her fingers entwined in Sylvia's hair as she delivered a stinging slap across her cheek. Her actions were fierce and immediate--Renee never hesitated to settle scores right then and there, refusing to suffer any slight quietly. "She may lack family, but I refuse to let that girl trample over the dignity of the Carter family!" Renee declared with fiery conviction. Despite Esme's frantic attempts to calm the storm, she was powerless against Renee's relentless fury. Raised with strict discipline, Esme was the polar opposite of Renee. And there was Sylvia, who had always been gentle and unassuming. Renee, with her commanding presence, could easily overpower them both. "William! Are you seriously just going to watch? Are you just going to let her go on a rampage like that?" Esme's voice cracked under the strain, her plea laced with desperation. Renee's eyes finally snapped to William, who had remained a silent observer. With his skills, he could have intervened at any moment, preventing the assault with ease. Why had he chosen to remain passive when she struck Sylvia? Lost in her thoughts, Renee barely registered the sensation of a strong arm encircling her waist. In an instant, she was lifted from the floor, her feet dangling helplessly. William, treating her with no more regard than one would a sack of potatoes, carried her away. His voice was calm, yet it carried an unyielding firmness. "Mom, I can handle my affairs. Stay out of this. I won't say it again," he stated decisively, before carrying Renee back towards their home. &9&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/70314322-fb_contact-e	Lime novel-E	https://www.facebook.com/100090637249756/	361	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	IMAGE		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/70314322-fb_contact-enp133_6-250225-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=798859118295947&exdata=F5168A8F4492BA0F8CC38E08FF80C005B3BD1708CD191427	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481261512_1645011482772301_8017617424154677542_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7ZnisMBSkRMQ7kNvgFSC6gG&_nc_oc=AdhLrD4alF3ZvmaBEzQDfvUjQRh-aQvApVQT3TYkfMoh3H6SnwasDkw12EwXtncaDjA&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-NOmKTRlRqpJL7KiEZuhDL&oh=00_AYDYtGG5qY_mfhVk_kvaSx4bKwa0q2-WiAA7NYEVSOCo7g&oe=67CB7BE5	PERSON_PROFILE	Lime novel-E	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,745,783	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Read next chapter👉	She dreamed of marrying the man of her fantasies--a hero strong enough to shield her from danger and protect her from predators. But on the day she was cast into the unforgiving depths of the kingdom's dungeon, it was the Beast King who held her in his arms. "At last, I have you in my arms, my mate!" he declared. ===== UREKAI: In the days of old, the Urekai stood out as the strongest and most powerful beings in the world. The ancient tongue called them 'fearsome beasts' for: Like werewolves, they could transform into beasts. Like vampires, they consumed bld. And walked among humans with no one the wiser. The ageless, peaceful, selfless beings preferred to keep to themselves. Despite being feared and distrusted, they never responded with aggression. They granted passage to any species wishing to enter their lands beyond the great mountain and welcomed everyone. But five centuries ago, an unexpected species attacked the Urekais during their one night of weakness. The humans. While protecting his people, Grand King Daemonikai lost control of his mind, going feral. Becoming a danger to the same people whom he had given everything to protect. Although it seemed impossible, the Urekais managed to capture their king's beast form, imprisoning him in a secure cage, ensuring he could never escape. But, consumed by hatred for humans, the Urekai plunged themselves into darkness. Becoming the fearsome beasts others had always feared them to be. Wearing their monstrosity with pride. HUMANS: After invading the Urekais, a mysterious virus outbreak struck. No one knew where it came from, but many speculated their attack on the Urekais brought it on. While most males eventually recovered after a long struggle, the virus proved fatal for the majority of females. Survivors rarely gave birth to female children. Those left or born became scarce and sought-after commodities. In many kingdoms, greedy fathers sold their daughters to breeding houses. Some were forced into pleasure houses, existing solely for men's enjoyment. Some faced terrible abuse in exchange for protection. Even the wealthy and the privileged could not guarantee the safety of the females in their lives, as the mere sight of a female--be it an infant, a young girl, or an elderly woman--drew unwanted attention. Female children faced constant danger. They are not safe in the society. * PROLOGUE HUMAN LAND: THE KINGDOM OF NAVIA. "It's a g-girl, your highness," Prince Garret froze. As he turned, looking at the palace healer, his hands resting on his exhausted wife's body, shook uncontrollably. He had secretly arranged the delivery months ago, and now they were hidden in one of the underground rooms in the palace, where his beloved wife, Pandora, was giving birth. "What did you just say to me?" Prince Garret hoped he heard wrong. Perhaps it had been a mistake. Please, gods, let it be a mistake! But the pity in the older man's face couldn't be disguised. The palace healer turned the little bundle. "The baby is a girl." Terror crossed Pandora's face as she adjusted herself to get a closer look at her baby. "No. Oh, the gods, please no..." She shook her head vigorously fresh tears gathering in her eyes. Tears welled in the healer's eyes. "I'm so sorry, your highness." "No!!!" Pandora cried out burying her face into her husband's waiting arms, sobs after sobs ripping from her throat. Garret felt numb as he held his wife. His first daughter, Aekeira, wasn't even four yet, and the king was already negotiating with the kingdom of Cavar to sell her to the highest bidder. Because, apparently, Navia 'could use more funds.' King Orestus might be Garret's brother, but he was a tyrant, and his word was law. Now, another girl child? Two daughters? Tears filled Garrett's eyes as he looked upon the crying bundle wiggling around in healer's arms. The world was not safe for either of his daughters. "I'll raise her like a boy," Pandora declared suddenly. The healer's eyes widened. "Are you suggesting we keep her identity a secret?" "Yes," Pandora affirmed, her resolve strengthening. "This child will never be seen as a girl. No one will ever find out!" "B-but, it's impossible to hide something like this, your majesty." The healer panicked. "The king will order our execution!" "Then, we take the secret to our grave." Pandora's voice was fierce. "I was unable to protect my first daughter, but by the Light-gods, I will protect my second." Too dangerous, but Garret was all for it too. This was their best chance to keep their daughter safe, and they would take it. "As far as we are concerned, the child I bore today was a male." Pandora looked at the baby. "His name is Emeriel. Emeriel Galilea Evenstone." Emeriel. It's a neutral name, and also means 'Sky's Protection' in the old tongue. Garret liked it. Fitting too, for their daughter would need all the luck and protection in the world. "I agree," Garret spoke aloud. With the plan fully in his mind, Garret swore the two other men in the room to secrecy. ********* That night, Garrett and his wife, stood by the baby's small cradle, watching their newborn sleep. Across the room, their three-year-old daughter, Aekeira, lay curled under a blanket, her tiny chest rising and falling in peaceful rhythm. "In all my years on this earth, I've never seen anyone bear two female children, Garrett," Pandora whispered, voice cracking. She glanced up at him, eyes glistening with tears. "I don't know what this means for us... or for them." Garrett placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Maybe it means they have a great destiny to fulfill." "Or a great sorrow in their future," Pandora's eyes drifted to their eldest, worriedly. "I'm so scared for them. How could something like this happen?" Perhaps you've been touched by the gods, my darling," Garrett said in comfort. "I really doubt that. Why me? Why us?" He had no answer to that. "If that's true," Pandora sniffled, brushing her fingers over the baby's soft cheek, "may that god always protect my babies. We won't always be here to do that." Garrett pulled his wife into his arms, holding her close, fighting to hide his own worry. Because, she was right. What were the odds of a couple in these times bearing not just one, but two daughters? None. Absolutely none. As he gazed at their sleeping children, prayer rose in his heart. Whatever god you are, please... protect our angels. Chapter 2 THE PRINCESS IN A 'PRINCE' DISGUISE Twenty-one Years Later PRINCE EMERIEL. "He's so pretty," a voice murmured. "It's the feminine prince," another one said. The third man had lst in his eyes. "No man should have hair that gorgeous." Prince Emeriel ignored them all as he moved from the palace grounds into the building, head held high. Just because he was used to the unwanted attention, didn't mean it didn't make his skin crawl. He might have lived as a boy all his life, but it didn't exactly keep him all that safe. Men of Navia would stick their phllus in anything with a hle, especially if it looked remotely feminine. But Emeriel's senses were always on high alert. Which is why he was probably the only twenty-one-year-old vi*in in Navia. That, and his sister, Princess Aekeira, always did everything in her power to protect him. To make sure his secrets remained tightly hidden. A carriage accident had taken their parents fifteen years ago, and King Orestus had adopted them. That tyrant made life a living hell for them. Emeriel entered the hallway to Aekeira's chambers when he heard it. Whimpers. Soft, pain-filled whimpers. That sound was coming from… Rage surged through Emeriel. Not this again! Determined, he stormed down the hall, and shoved the door open, unsheathing his sord. "Get away from my sister right this instant, Lord Murphy, or I swear to the sky I will cut you down where you stand!" Emeriel snarled. The minister of human affairs's face twisted with irritation, and he stopped thrusting. "Go away, little prince. You're ruining the fun." Emeriel hated the jab 'little prince,' but surely not as much as he hated being called a 'slight prince.' Over the years, Navians had given him a lot of names thanks to his small and feminine look. "Get away from her right now!" Emeriel strode purposefully toward the bd, seizing hold of Lord Murphy and pushing him away from Aekeira. With a satisfying thud, the old oaf tumbled to the floor. Aekeira rose from the bd, clutching her vulnerable body, her face red from crying, eyes tired and swollen. Emeriel pulled his sister into his arms, hugging her tightly. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Keira." "It was not your fault." "Why the hell would you do that!?" Lord Murphy rose angrily. "I won Princess Aekeira fair and square in the card game at the gathering last night. The king wagered with her and lost to me! I was supposed to have her for two hours at least!" Emeriel's eyes blazed as he whirled around, facing him. "If you put your hands on her again, I swear to the sky I will cut off your mle oran, Lord Murphy." "You will not dare!" "I'll gladly take whatever punishment the king gives," he stated with conviction, "but you will be without your manhood. Choose wisely." Lord Murphy's eyes widened, his hands flying protectively over his cr*ch, face reddening in anger. "The king will hear of this!" The minister snarled. Taking his clothes, he marched out of the room. "Oh, Em, why did you do that?" Aekeira's eyes filled with worry. "The king might punish you with the hot whip again." "I do not care. Let us go to my room." Putting his sord away, Emeriel could not even look his sister in the eyes, dangerously close to tears himself. Helping Aekeira into her clothes, he led her out, and down the hallway. That age-old guilt crept down Emeriel's spine. Aekeira always protected Emeriel, even when it made her the sole target. His sister never hated him, but Emeriel hated himself for it. Aekeira was always bubbly and always happy. But in times like this, when her body was viated, she mostly looked tired then. Weary of the world. Worried about the next aristocrat the king would hand her over to. Much later, freshened up, Aekeira laid on the bed, closing her eyes. "Em? My worst nightmare when I was younger was thinking I would be sold to an aristocrat in Cavar, but now, I almost wish that heartless king went ahead with it, instead of changing his mind," Aekeira whispered. "Please, don't say that." Emeriel held her hand. "That kingdom is a horror play. Anywhere is better than Cavar, sister. Well, except beyond the great mountain, of course." Just the thought made Emeriel shiver. The Urekai dwelled beyond those mountains. "Sometimes I wish I could leave this godforsaken kingdom." A single tear slipped from Aekeira's eyes. Me too, Keira. Me too. ** That night, after bathing, Emeriel stood before the mirror, staring at his reflection. His long, silken black hair fell over his shoulders, cascading like a waterfall. With his hair down like this, he looked like what he truly was. A girl. What would it feel like to live freely, like the person the mirror reflected? To not live in fear of the next man who might seek to take advantage of him, like they do his sister? Emeriel fantasized about marrying the man of his dreams. A protector. Someone powerful enough to keep him safe, shield him from predators, and sweep him off his feet with immense strength and love. All delusion. But a sweet one, nonetheless. Reality was far too ugly. Shaking it off, he crawled into bed and closed his eyes, letting sleep take him. . . The dream began as it always did. The man filled the doorway, hidden in the shadows. He was big, larger and more masculine than any man Emeriel had ever seen. Tall like a giant, he made Emeriel feel small, like a cornered prey. "Who are you?" Emeriel's drowsy voice came out shaky, filled with fear. "What do you want from me?" "You are mine," he said, voice deep as rolling thunder. "Meant to be on your knees for me. On your back. To be fked you so hard your legs quake. You were meant to beg for me all the time. Only mine." Emeriel's face burned with shock. So scandalized, he scrambled upright. "Y-you shouldn't say such improper things to me! It's wrong!" But the mysterious man stepped into Emeriel's bedroom, emerging from the shadows. As he did, his body shifted into a...beast. The most terrifying Emeriel had ever seen. A Urekai. "Oh gods, oh gods," Emeriel's breath hitched in terror, panic setting in. Of all the shapeshifters in the world, why a UREKAI!? He advanced with purpose. Its glowing yellow eyes bore into Emeriel, filled with hunger. Shaking his head fiercely, Emeriel scrambled backward. "No, no, no! Leave me alone!" he shouted, "Guards! Someone, help!" But no one came. The beast leapt onto the bed, got on top of Emeriel, trapping him under. Claws tore through his clothing, Emeriel's vulnerable female body was exposed to its yellow eyes. His powerful thighs forced Emeriel's apart...! Emeriel jolted awake with a scream. Body shaking and drenched in sweat, he glanced around the dark, empty room. "It was just a dream," he whispered, trembling. "Thank the gods. Just a dream." The same dream again. He'd had this dream for months now. He swallowed hard, running a shaky hand through his hair. "Why do I keep having such a scary nightmare?" It terrified Emeriel a lot. A Urekai? No one in this world prayed to meet a Urekai in their lifetime. Certainly not Emeriel. Yet, even with all the terror inside, the hotness of the dream lingered in his body. His feminine core felt different. Wt. What does this mean? Chapter 3 UREKAI Stepping outside the next morning, two warriors stopped before Emeriel. "The king summons you, my prince," One of them said. "Your presence is needed in the courtroom." Sht. That foolish minister wasted no time ratting on him. Emeriel let the way to court. It's just whipping, he will be fine. But, as he walked down the hall towards the door, it was eerily quiet. Something was wrong. The court was always noisy from the outside. Mutterings, murmurs, arguments were always expected. His worry deepened when the door opened, and all eyes didn't turn to gaze at him condescendingly. Instead, everyone's eyes were fixed at the center of the king's court. Emeriel's eyes followed theirs. Two men dressed in all-white apparel robes, with long, straight, waist-length black hair stood, appearing harmless. But a longer glance had Emeriel noticing muscles barely concealed under their robes, their slightly tipped ears, and their incredibly unnaturally handsome faces that were completely unreadable. He froze. Urekai. These ones looked expensive and aristocratic. Emeriel's throat went dry. No one prays to meet a Urekai face-to-face. "What do you say, King Orestus?" the Urekai with the long scar running from his cheek spoke. He looked the most intimidating. "No, this cannot happen," King Orestus protested, looking terrified, and doing a poor job of hiding it. The frown on Scarred Urekai's face deepened. Clearly, this was a being that did not take no for an answer. "You are mistaken if you think we are giving you a choice, human king," he said, taking a threatening step forward. The ministers of the court gasped, shrinking back into their seats. "Easy, Lord Vladya," the other Urekai spoke, his voice gentler. Imploring rather than commanding. The scarred Urekai, Lord Vladya, gave the king a hard look that would make any man tremble. "It is the least you can do, human king. Give us the princess, and we will leave quietly." "We are ready to pay for her," the other Urekai added, reaching into his robe and withdrawing a large bag of coins. Fear receded. The king's ears perked up with interest. "Money?" "Not just money, there are gold coins too," The non-scarred Urekai said. Everyone gasped, including Emeriel. Gold coins were rare and highly valuable. The Urekai continued, "All you have to do is hand the princess over, and this bag is yours." Wait… Princess? They couldn't possibly mean... The grand entrance opened again as two guards led Aekeira into the court. No, no, no, not my sister. Emeriel moved forward, but the guards who had escorted him stopped his movement. He bit his lip hard, trying not to draw attention to himself, but it was incredibly difficult. Surely, this couldn't be what he thought it was. It had to be a dream. There was no way the Urekai were here to buy his sister as a slave...! The two guards leading Aekeira to the center of the court, stopped a few feet from the Urekais. The terror on Aekeira's face mirrored Emeriel's feelings. "So, let me get this straight," King Orestus began, "All I need to do is sell her to you, and all this money is mine? There are no other conditions? Nothing else?" "Yes," the non-scarred Urekai responded. Lord Vladya moved forward, closing the distance between him and Aekeira, who was visibly shaking now. Cupping Aekeira's cheek tilting her head to the side to get a better look. He appeared utterly disgusted. "She'll do." King Orestus picked up his gavel and struck it hard on his desk. "Sold! From this moment on, Princess Aekeira belongs to the Urekais." "WHAT!?" The shout escaped Emeriel's lips before he could stop it. He ran toward the center of the courtroom and fell to his knees. "Please don't sell my sister to them. Not to the Urekais! Please, Your Majesty." The king gave him a bored look. "It's out of my hands now, Emeriel." It's out of his… Emeriel couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You can't let this happen. She's your niece too! How could you do this!?" He wasn't proud his voice turned the high-pitch of a girl's, as he practically screamed. But he didn't care. "You know a fate worse than death awaits her beyond the great mountain! How could you agree to sell her to them?" "As if he has a choice," Lord Vladya scoffed, his deep baritone filled with cynicism. Emeriel whirled around to face them, anger blanketing his features. But as he stared into those intimidating gray eyes, he couldn't bring himself to give in to his rage. He had read in one of the books that an Urekai had the power to take a life without physical contact. It might just be a rumor, but with his sister's life on the line, he had no intention of testing that theory. "I will go too. Where Aekeira goes, I go," Emeriel said, lifting his chin defiantly. Aekeira snapped her head toward Emeriel, her eyes widened in terror. "No! What are you doing, Em?" "I'm going with you," Emeriel stated firmly. Lord Vladya arched a perfectly shaped brow. "No. We have no need for you; we only need your sister." Emeriel stood. "I don't care. Take me too. If you leave me here, I will always try to come to her. I will cross the great mountains if I have to!" Lord Vladya laughed. There was no humor in the cold sound. "Without the rite of passage, the great mountain will swallow you whole. You'll never make it to the other side." "I'll take my chances," Emeriel vowed. "No! My brother is not coming," Aekeira interjected, before turning pleading eyes to Emeriel. "Don't do this, Em. I'm already doomed. I don't want you to face the same fate!" "If you come with us, you will be taken as our slave." Lord Vladya stated, pinning Emeriel with a stare. "Urekai do not care if you're male or female; you will serve in any way your master wants you. Whether it's in the mines or the cellar, on your back, bent over, or on your knees. If you agree to be our slave too, your freewill ends today." A shiver ran through Emeriel's spine. "Do you know what it means to be an Urekai's slave, little human? You're a pretty boy; you will not lack masters to service." Fear seeped through his core. If everything he had heard growing up and read in books were true, being an Urekai's slave was worse than being a human's slave. And my dreams... I should be running in a different direction...! But he steeled his spine. "Where my sister goes, I go." "We did not agree to get two slaves," the second Urekai said. "That is settled then," Lord Vladya continued as if he never spoke. Reaching into his robe, the scarred Urekai pulled out another bag of coins, throwing both on the floor towards the king. "We will take both." "Sold!" King Orestus banged his gavel again. Chapter 4 SOLD TO THE UREKAI Aekeira cried for over an hour after they left the courtroom. At first, she had been angry, shouting at Emeriel about his foolish decision. And then, she broke down, crying as if her heart had been shattered. Now, they were left alone in a tiny room on the boat. Emeriel remained quiet throughout his sister's breakdown, the weight of his decision finally sinking in. By the Light-gods, he was now a slave. Lower than a loborn. Lower than a carpet servant. And not just any slave, but a Urekai slave. Or many Urekai, Emeriel had no idea yet. He would serve those heartless, ruthless beings who despised humans. "You're a pretty boy; you will not lack masters to service." A shiver coursed down Emeriel's spine. They were going to vilate his body. What he had always dreamed of would finally coming true. Only now, it wouldn't be just one beast, it would be many. As many as his master wanted. Emeriel swallowed the bile rising in his throat. His breath seized as panic set in. "Breathe, Em. Come on," Aekeira appeared by his side, rubbing his back. "In... and out... come on, Em." Aekeira's voice was gentle, soothing, giving Emeriel no choice but to follow its sound. Aekeira continued rubbing his back. "Good girl. That's my girl." Two Urekai came in and forced them to take an unknown pill. Surely they hadn't paid all that money just to kll them before they even became slaves, right? Emeriel thought as she swallowed it. Minutes later, they both dropped unconscious on the floor. • Much later, Emeriel woke to the bumping ride of the carriage. His head woozy, his senses disoriented as he blinked several times to adjust his vision. They had been forced to take a pill. Rising, he walked to the carriage's wooden window and pushed it open. A gasp left him. They are in Urekai land. Emeriel could see dozens of them. But what had his jaw on the floor was the humans. There were plenty in sight. Many females nearly matching the number of males. Everyone knew the Urekais had acquired and held numerous humans captive after the war, but the sheer number he could see surpassed his expectations. And they were all slaves. Some were working in the fields, their weary bodies bent under the weight of their labor. Some were hauling heavy loads, their muscles straining with each step, under the watchful eyes of Urekai's. Some Urekais held whips, while some held sords. The sight turned Emeriel's stomach, making him sick. Is this to be our life now? Aekeira's grn of wakefulness echoed behind him and Emeriel quickly turned to his sister, concern etched on his face. "Are you alright, Kiera?" he asked, his voice hushed. Aekeira nodded, rubbing her eyes. "Where are we?" she asked, eyes scanning their surroundings. Their kingdom, Urai," Emeriel whispered, keeping his voice down so the carriage master would not overhear. Together, they took in the huge fortress in front of them. The carriage was headed straight for it. "This place looks highly luxurious," Aekeira said. Emeriel nodded. As royalty, they were well-acquainted with luxury, but this was on an entirely different scale. Which begged the question... Who exactly were the males who had purchased them? And if they weren't his and his sister's masters, then who was...? ****** They were brought into an empty room after passing numerous chambers and passages. "This shall be your quarters for now," a soldier announced. The room was surprisingly spacious and tastefully decorated. Not long after the soldiers left, the sound of approaching footsteps reached their ears, growing closer with each passing moment. The door swung open, and an older human woman marched in. Accompanied by a younger human woman and three Urekai males. The older woman's gaze landed on Emeriel, and she did a double take. "You are one remarkably handsome male. I have seen a lot of pretty males in my time, but even I can hardly think of one who is half as pretty as you." Feeling uneasy, Emeriel took a step back, finding solace behind Aekeira, who spread her arms protectively to shield him from prying eyes. "Well, it's a shame you're not the one we came for," the woman said dismissively, turning away. "Prepare her, boys. Amie, get the bath ready." The three males closed in on Aekeira, beginning to undress her. Their hands removed her clothes, while another tended to her hair, undoing the knots. "What are you doing?" Emeriel asked, concerned. "Getting her ready for what is to come." The older woman didn't bother to look at him. "You can either stay or leave. I care not. But if you disturb me, I will have you reported to the soldiers and thrown into the dungeon." Numerous questions swirled in Emeriel's mind, but a shake of Aekeira's head silenced him. He watched helplessly as they undressed her, with the younger girl, Amie, preparing a large tub filled with water. Eventually, Emeriel decided to step out and explore, wandering the halls aimlessly. He followed one to a secluded passage that appeared hidden from casual glances. Voices echoed in the distance, so he moved closer towards them. "What shall we do with the boy? He was not part of the plan," one voice said. "I do not care, Lord Ottai. Perhaps we will think of something later." Lord Vladya's voice came. "For now, let us focus on the girl. The bad weather delayed our journey, I had expected us to return yesterday." His voice, chilling and authoritative, Lord Vladya added. "Time is running short; she must be in the forbidden chambers tonight." Forbidden chambers? Emeriel didn't like the sound of that at all. "Calm yourself, Vladya. That young girl cannot handle the beast," Lord Ottai added. "I do not care. They have made their bds, and they shall lie in them," Vladya said defiantly. A heavy sigh followed. "It would be heartless to send that girl in to service the beast without any inkling of what to expect. I know you have no love for humans, and frankly, neither do I, but we can surely do better than that," Lord Ottai reasoned. "Do as you wish, Ottai. Tell them everything or tell them nothing. I care not," Vladya stated. "Whether she lives or dies, I care not either. I shall throw in the pretty little prince next, and if he perishes too, I shall be on the next carriage to the next human kingdom to select another princess for him. That is the only aspect of this that concerns me." A silence fell after their exchange, leaving Emeriel's mind racing with fear and disbelief. Service the beast? Die? Chapter 5 YOUR PURPOSE HERE Emeriel was horrified. I must rescue Aekeira! We need to escape! "I know you are there, pretty prince. I can smell you," Lord Vladya's voice rang out. Emeriel gasped, frozen in place as Lord Vladya's imposing figure emerged from the door. Instinctively, Emeriel took a step back. Then another. Lord Vladya smirked. "I would advise against whatever thoughts are brewing in that little head of yours. You have no inkling of where you are, do you?" Emeriel could only discern they were in the tallest, most fortified fortress he had ever seen. He shook his head, his fear palpable. "You are in Ravenshadow," Lord Ottai said, coming up behind the scarred Lord. Ravenshadow? The Ravenshadow!? No, by the Light, this cannot be happening. "R-Ravenshadow Citadel? The home of the f-four grand rulers of the Urekais. The Whispering Abyss of great power?" Emeriel blurted out, unable to contain his terror any longer. Lord Ottai snorted. "That is what humans call it. We do not. But yes, you are correct. You are in the Ravenshadow Citadel, Prince Emeriel." "You do not need me to inform you that this is the most secure place in Urai, with vast lands in which you could get lost in if you attempt to escape." Lord Vladya smirked. "A vortex that would swallow you, never to be seen again. There is no escape from Ravenshadow." Emeriel heard their words, but his mind was consumed by a far greater fear. "The four grand rulers of the Urekais reside here?" Emeriel mused, dreadfully. "They do." Lord Ottai sounded mildly amused, drawing Emeriel's attention. Emeriel had no idea he'd said that out loud. Inching closer to Lord Ottai-He seemed the less intimidating and a preferable choice in that moment-Emeriel threw weary glances at the scarred lord. "I have heard rumors about Urekai." "What exactly did you hear?" Lord Ottai asked. "They are said to be deadly, unpredictable and almost feral in their actions." " Emeriel listed off on his fingers as he rambled. "Their mating habits are said to be as brutal as their killings, and while they have bldhosts, they prefer to drain humans' bld. And, after their king ran wild, they-" "Terrific. Just what I needed to hear," Lord Vladya added in a dry tone. Lord Ottai, still somewhat amused, spoke up, "I will leave the briefing to Lord Vladya. I need to attend to the council." What!? Please do not leave me with him! Emeriel almost shouted. But he bit his lips hard, restraining himself. Lord Vladya, however, did not hold back. "Think again, Lord Ottai. There is no way I will-" "Would you prefer Lord Zaiper handle the briefing then?" Lord Ottai asked quietly. A muscle twitched on Lord Vladya's jaw and he gave Emeriel a hard look, as if actually considering the option. Lord Ottai must have picked up on that, quickly adding, "You know you don't want that to happen. Besides, let us not forget the favor you owe me. Remember that?" Lord Vladya glared at him, and Lord Ottai offered a wolfish smile. "I believe it's time to collect. You do the briefing. Off I go." With that, Lord Ottai strode away, exuding an air of sophistication with every step. Finally, Emeriel and Lord Vladya stood facing each other. "Come." Lord Vladya began walking, and Emeriel fell into step behind him. "Forget whatever rumors may have spread in the human realm. Some may hold a grain of truth, but most are truly bizarre." Lord Vladya looked mildly annoyed. "However, I will not delve into the vast knowledge of our kind, for it is too extensive to cover. Instead, I will share the parts that pertain to your sister's presence here." Emeriel braced himself. "Five hundred years ago, and even before that, my people and humans coexisted peacefully. Grand King Daemonikai made sure of that." Grand King Daemonikai. The mere mention of the name had goosebumps spreading on Emeriel's skin, knees quaking in barely-concealed fear. One of the oldest Urekai to have ever existed, his reputation was known throughout the world, even to a child born in present times. He wasn't just one of the four rulers, he was the very first. The ultimate ruler. His power and strength were legendary. Some even suggested he couldn't be klled. That name, Daemonikai, was one that struck terror into the hearts of every species existing in this world. "His son, Alvin, made friends with a human prince." Lord Vladya continued. "During a conversation over a glass of champagne, Alvin, in a drunken state, told the prince the secrets of our people. The Eclipse Moon night." "A night when the Urekai were naturally stripped of their power and strength by the moon, right?" Emeriel asked, wondering if the rumors were true. "It comes every five hundred years, rendering you lots incredibly weak. Weaker than a newborn baby. Vulnerable to attack." The scarred Urekai stopped and eyed Emeriel, nodding before walking again. "What Alvin didn't know was the prince's father used his son to gather information about us. King Memphis had his eyes set on our land. To make a long story short, the humans breached our defenses and attacked us on the Eclipse Moon night, inflicting significant damage upon our kingdom." A shadow crossed Lord Vladya's eyes. "Many of our people were killed. The survival of the Urekai was largely due to the efforts of the four rulers, particularly Daemonikai." He looked distant, as if he could see that night playing out before him. "Daemonikai exerted every ounce of his strength to save his people. Sacrificed everything he had...knowing the consequences it would bring." Consequences? Emeriel suddenly felt bad. The humans regarded that night as a victory. Talked about it as a great achievement. But hearing it now, it was nothing short of barbaric. "After that night, everything changed," Lord Vlayda said. "Many Urekai lost their bondmates and children. Those who remained were hardened by the loss. Even our revenge did nothing to ease the pain in our hearts." "Your kind almost decimated the human population, forcing many into hiding." Emeriel couldn't keep the bitterness off his tone. "The Urekai took numerous slaves and nearly depleted the human lands of their females. And it did nothing?" As those chilling eyes once again stared at him. Emeriel snapped his mouth shut. "Then, Grand King Daemonikai gave in to his beast and went mad. His mind was completely lost, has remained so for the past five hundred years. The very people he sacrificed everything to protect are now in danger from him." Lord Vladya turned a corner. "The beast breaks free periodically, going on ruthless, brutal killing sprees. To prevent further loss, the beast is confined here in Ravenshadow." Okay... that sounded like a good idea. What was the problem? "But, confinement alone is not enough. Our inner beasts require two basic substance to survive: bl*d and sx," Lord Vladya surveyed Emeriel with a piercing gaze. "And that is where your sister comes in." Emeriel grew unease. He did not like where this was going. "Princess Aekeira will fulfill the beast's sxual needs. That is why she was acquired. As for you, since I have no use for you, both of you belong to the beast," Lord Vladya asserted firmly. "What?" The disbelieving whisper tore from Emeriel. "Surely, y-you can't mean that." "Tell Princess Aekeira to present to the beast. If she presents well, who knows? She might survive another day. I care little for the outcome." Emeriel collapsed to his knees, tears blurring his vision. "Please, Lord Vladya, don't subject her to this. To be a sxual slave? To a beast...the king's beast? My sister will die!!" He screamed, his words tainted with anger. Lord Vladya did not bat an eyelash. "Good luck trying to run away from Ravenshadow. For every attempt, you will be met with fifty lashes of the whip." With that, he turned on his heel, stridingpassed terror, and Emeriel surged after him, but the Urekai soldiers blocked his path. "Who do you think you are!?" Emeriel screamed. "Do you consider yourself so all-powerful that you can dictate the fate of living beings!? You are nothing more than beasts! You're a monster, Lord Vladya!" Lord Vladya halted at the doorway, casting a glance over his shoulder. "That is a compliment, human prince. And to you, it is Grand Lord Vladya." Emeriel froze. Grand Lord? As in, one of the four rulers of the Urekai, that GRAND LORD!? Holy light-gods, we're doomed. Chapter 6 SERVING THE BEAST The night had descended upon them. Aekeira's face turned pale upon hearing everything from Emeriel. She had not uttered a single word in hours. Instead, tears streamed down her eyes. Emeriel could hardly recognize Aekeira after the "treatment" Livia had given her. Aekeira was incredibly beautiful, well-groomed, and all dressed up in that scanty piece of nothing. He despised the purpose behind her transformation and dreaded the impending arrival of the Urekai guards, who would soon take her away. "Let us escape," Emeriel suggested urgently. "This place is vast, and-" Aekeira shook her head. "I cannot risk your life, Em. Grand Lord Vladya warned you about the severe consequences of attempting to escape. Moreover, if we're caught, they will undoubtedly discover your secret when they strip you down to whip you. It is simply not an option." Emeriel approached his sister and shook her firmly. "Pull yourself together, Aekeira! You will be forced to serve a UREKAI in its BEAST FORM! One that has lost its sanity and has remained feral for over five hundred years! You cannot subject yourself to such a fate! You will die if you do this!" he screamed. "We have no other choice!" Aekeira screamed right back, "I will not put you in danger, Emeriel. Can't you understand? You are my younger sister. Our parents risked everything to protect you, and I will do everything in my power to do the same. Not because you are a burden, but because I am your elder sister, and I love you dearly!" Emeriel bit his lip, struggling to hold back tears. "And who will protect you, Aekeira? Who will ensure your safety?" Aekeira's desperate arms grasped Emeriel, as she gazed into his eyes. "They must never discover you are a girl, Emeriel. Never! Neither the humans nor the Urekais must find out." The door swung open, announcing Livia's return, accompanied by the young girl, Amie, and another group of Urekai soldiers. "It is time. Let us proceed," Livia declared as her eyes widened. "It is inadvisable for you to touch her now. You do not want to leave your scent on her. Release her immediately." "What do you mean? What will happen if I touch my sister?" Emeriel asked, quickly pulling away. "The beast must not detect any other scent on her. If it smells a scent it hates, it may become even more brutal–might even tear her apart. That is why you must not touch her, Emeriel." Livia nodded for the men to escort Aekeira out of the room, and Emeriel followed. The journey was long and silent, involving a lot of twists and turns. They passed by human slaves and Urekai maids within the vast fortress, but as they approached their destination, the faces grew scarce, and the surroundings became eerily quiet. Fear and goosebumps crept over Emeriel as they entered a haunting corridor. A strange sensation fell over Emeriel, and the silence became almost deafening. It felt as though they were walking through a graveyard. "This is as far as we go," Livia whispered at the entrance of the hallway. You can proceed from here, Aekeira." Emeriel ignored the head maid's words about not touching his sister and gripped Aekeira's arm tightly. "Don't do it," he pleaded, shaking his head vehemently. Aekeira did not turn to look at him, as she gently pulled her hand away and continued forward. ** Back at their chambers, Emeriel began to pace. He scratched his arm, feeling restless and irritable. All he wanted was for his sister to remain alive until the next day. Whether she was wounded or in pain, it didn't matter, as long as she was alive. It might have been selfish of him, but he couldn't bring himself to care. But as he paced, Emeriel felt really, really strange. Hot. So hot. As if he was burning from the inside... ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &5&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65644322-fb_contact-e	Hello reading	https://www.facebook.com/61552535188096/	49,858	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	IMAGE		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65644322-fb_contact-eny21191_2-250222-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=791750052879575&exdata=D3C875BCA1EDEE6AC4668F240B45605A0BE6878A3EBDBB0C	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/482222493_553905800301445_6536627479890219006_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=L-Lwd5MxJRAQ7kNvgHOF8-X&_nc_oc=AdjPsnbufFFmEWNL3qH64Px1Du_WDgyTlnI7AoYpzmCvX1bFmtUikFD-5Gebsg5I9_s&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AiH3SLo_QtPEbiInZy1Q8-_&oh=00_AYBUd5q-8a6nny0Dil23RywLyMr5ff9IXrwul-NzsIlDJA&oe=67CB8C70	PERSON_PROFILE	Hello reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete

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